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What prompted Kristi Noem’s push for a nationwide ban?
The urgency behind Noem’s call came days after two National Guard members were shot in Washington, D.C., just blocks from the White House. Authorities identified the suspect as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who had entered the country legally in 2021 under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome. The program resettled Afghans as the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, prioritizing individuals who had worked alongside U.S. forces, as per a report by Fox News and The BBC.
The attack not only raised security concerns but also reignited criticism of the vetting system used for Afghan arrivals. Noem argued that Lakanwal was improperly screened before entering the country. Her condemnation quickly escalated into a broader denunciation of U.S. immigration policies during Joe Biden’s presidency, as per a report by Fox News and The BBC.
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What exactly did Kristi Noem say in her statement?
Noem’s message was direct and emotionally charged. “I just met with the President. I am recommending a full travel ban on every d— country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies,”
she said.
In a separate post, she accused certain immigrants of threatening American lives and draining federal resources.
“Our forefathers built this nation on blood, sweat, and the unyielding love of freedom—not for foreign invaders to slaughter our heroes, suck dry our hard-earned tax dollars, or snatch the benefits owed to AMERICANS,” she said.
She ended her statement with a sharp line, “WE DON’T WANT THEM. NOT ONE.”
Her posts were later shared by both President Donald Trump and the Department of Homeland Security, amplifying her call for stricter restrictions, as per a report by Fox News.
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How is the travel ban expected to expand?
While Noem did not specify which countries would be affected, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that Trump had already announced travel restrictions months earlier on “third world and failed state” nations. She said Noem’s recommendation would “widen” those restrictions even further.
Earlier this year, the White House listed 19 countries—primarily in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean—that would face full or partial immigration limitations. DHS officials told the BBC that they expect to release the updated list soon.
Noem’s renewed criticism came on the heels of her earlier remarks pointing to the 100,000 Afghan nationals brought into the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome. Prior to her travel-ban comments, she wrote that DHS would overhaul the vetting system following the D.C. shooting, as per a report by The BBC.
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How did the Washington attack shift immigration policy?
The fallout from the shooting was immediate. The Trump administration intensified its immigration crackdown following the incident that killed 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and left 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe seriously injured. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said Wolfe had responded to nurses with a thumbs-up, though he remained in serious condition.
In response, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services halted all decisions on asylum cases. Director Joseph Edlow said the pause would remain in effect “until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.”
Trump also directed Edlow to review green cards previously issued to individuals from the 19 affected countries.
How far might the administration go?
On Thursday, Trump escalated his stance, threatening to “permanently pause migration” from all “third world countries.” In his Thanksgiving social media post, he blamed refugees for causing “social dysfunction in America” and vowed to remove “anyone who is not a net asset” to the U.S.
His second-term immigration agenda has included mass deportations, reducing refugee admissions, and ending automatic citizenship rights for many individuals born on U.S. soil.
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How have Afghan community leaders responded?
The Afghan Community Coalition of the United States issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victims and calling for a “comprehensive investigation.” The organization emphasized that the attack was the act of a single individual and urged the government not to halt Afghan immigration claims.
“Twenty years of Afghan-US partnership must not be forgotten,” the coalition said, referencing the two-decade U.S. effort launched in 2001.
Meanwhile, the United Nations urged the U.S. to uphold international agreements on asylum amid the growing wave of restrictions.
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FAQs
What incident led to Kristi Noem’s demand for a travel ban?
The call followed the attack on two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., involving an Afghan immigrant.
Which countries will be affected?
The Department of Homeland Security said it would release the list soon