In a move that has sent shockwaves, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social Friday morning, to announce a “permanent pause” on migration from all “Third World Countries.”
For the Kenyan diaspora and the millions back home dreaming of the American Green Card, the news is confusing, alarming, and developing fast. Here is the breakdown of what went down, why it’s happening, and what it means for you.
The catalyst for this sudden announcement wasn’t a policy debate, but a tragedy. On the eve of Thanksgiving, two National Guard members were shot near the White House. One of them, 20-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, passed away on Thanksgiving morning.
The suspect is an Afghan national who entered the US in 2021 during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump wasted no time connecting the dots, labeling the shooting a “terrorist attack” and using it as proof that the US vetting system is broken.
His solution and one he’s been waiting for a long time to implement? Shut the door to all black and brown people.
Trump’s post explicitly stated he would pause migration from “Third World Countries” to allow the US system to “fully recover.” The problem? “Third World” isn’t a legal term in US immigration law. It’s a Cold War relic.
However, the administration isn’t waiting for a dictionary definition.
They have already rolled out a list of 19 “countries of concern” that are facing immediate, extreme scrutiny. The list includes Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Eritrea – our neighbors to the north.
For these countries, their existing Green Card holders – legally US permanent residents – now face possible revocations and deportations as the radical voices in the White House grow louder and the abuse of the rule of law bolder.
The Good News: As of right now, Kenya is NOT on this specific “red list.”
The Bad News: The rhetoric is broad. By using the term “Third World,” the administration gives itself the wiggle room to expand this ban to any developing nation they decide is a “security risk.”
The Diversity Lottery
This is the part that hits hardest for many Kenyans. The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery is the most popular route for Kenyans to migrate to the US. Trump has hated this program for years, famously asking why the US accepts people from “shithole countries” instead of places like Norway.
While he hasn’t cancelled the lottery outright (he needs Congress for that.. although he also needed congress to dismantle USAID and no one batted an eye), his administration is using “technical” delays to strangle it.
The registration for the DV-2027 lottery has been indefinitely delayed for “security audits.” For those who were selected in the DV-2025 cycle, the clock is ticking. If embassies stop processing visas for “Third World” nations, those winning tickets could expire worthless soon.
The “Radicals” are Running the Show
If you think this will blow over, think again. The people crafting these policies are hardliners. Stephen Miller, the architect of the first Muslim Ban, is back and driving the “civilizational” vetting strategy. Tom Homan, the “Border Czar,” is in charge of deportations and just as radical.
Their goal isn’t just to stop illegal immigration; it’s to reshape America’s immigration system. Trump’s post mentioned removing anyone “non-compatible with Western Civilization.” This vague language gives immigration officers huge power to deny entry based on culture or religion rather than just criminal records.
Perhaps the scariest part of the announcement is the threat to current residents. Trump has ordered a review of Green Cards issued under the Biden administration, claiming many were approved too quickly.
Additionally, the administration is aggressively bringing back the “Public Charge” rule. This means if you are a legal resident but you use certain government benefits (like non-emergency Medicaid or food stamps), they could use that as grounds to deny your citizenship or even deport you.
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