Trump says he would ‘absolutely’ revoke citizenship from naturalized criminals — if he has the authority
In a significant policy shift, President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that his administration’s suspension of asylum processing could extend indefinitely, following a tragic shooting incident involving two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. This decision was framed as an emergency response to the violence, which resulted in the death of U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and left U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe in critical condition. The shooting suspect, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is charged with first-degree murder and assault, prompting the administration to halt all asylum decisions and pause visa issuances for Afghan passport holders. Trump’s comments aboard Air Force One indicated that this freeze may not be a temporary measure but part of a broader strategy targeting immigration from what he described as “crime-ridden” countries.
In his remarks, Trump emphasized a tough stance on immigration, suggesting that he would consider revoking the citizenship of naturalized immigrants who have criminal histories, if such actions fall within his presidential authority. “We have enough problems. We don’t want those people,” he stated, reinforcing his administration’s focus on national security. The president’s comments also introduced the concept of “reverse migration,” which he clarified as a means to remove individuals already residing in the U.S. who have committed crimes. This rhetoric aligns with Trump’s longstanding commitment to stricter immigration policies, but the implications of such measures raise questions about the potential impact on countless individuals who may be affected by these sweeping changes.
Trump’s invitation to the families of the fallen Guard members to visit the White House underscores the personal toll of the incident, while also serving as a backdrop for his administration’s intensified crackdown on immigration. As the nation grapples with the ramifications of this policy shift, the focus remains on the balance between security and the humanitarian considerations of asylum seekers. The situation continues to evolve, with many watching closely how Trump’s administration will navigate the complex landscape of immigration policy in the wake of this tragedy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUJdW6036kQ
President
Donald Trump
on Sunday said his administration’s halt on asylum processing in the wake of the deadly National Guard shooting earlier this week could last “a long time” and floated the possibility of revoking citizenship from some naturalized immigrants with criminal histories.
While the administration has framed the asylum freeze as an emergency response to Wednesday’s shooting, the president’s comments to reporters aboard Air Force One suggest the restrictions could evolve into a longer-term approach.
President Trump tied the pause to a more robust stance toward 19 countries he derided as “crime-ridden” and vowed that he would “absolutely”
de-naturalize immigrants convicted of crimes
— if it is within his presidential authority.
“We have enough problems. We don’t want those people,” Trump said, adding that there was
no time limit on the moratorium
.
TRUMP HIGHLIGHTS FEDERAL LAW GRANTING PRESIDENTIAL POWER TO HALT IMMIGRATION AS CRACKDOWN ESCALATES
“We have criminals that came into our country and they were naturalized,” Trump said, vowing that, “If I have the power to do it – I’m not sure that I do, but if I do – I would de-naturalize. Absolutely.”
Trump clarified his recent use of the term ”
reverse migration
,” saying it means
removing people already inside the U.S.
“Get people out that are in our country – get them out of here,” Trump said.
LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONDING AFTER 2 NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS SHOT NEAR WHITE HOUSE
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old
Afghan national
, is charged with
shooting two West Virginia National Guard members
just blocks from the White House on Wednesday.
U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed, while her colleague, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition. Both Guard members had been
deployed to D.C.
as part of Trump’s crime-fighting mission that federalized D.C. police. Trump said he has invited both Guard members’ family members to the White House.
“I said, ‘When you’re ready, because that’s a tough thing, come to the White House. We’re going to
honor Sarah
,'” Trump told reporters. “And likewise with Andrew, recover or not.”
Lakanwal faces one count of first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed in the shooting, charges that prompted the Trump administration to
halt all asylum decisions
and pause issuing visas for people traveling on Afghan passports.
