President Donald Trump has declared that he “absolutely” supports calls for naturalized citizens to have their citizenship revoked if they are convicted of crimes in the United States.
Trump made the remarks on Sunday while indicating that his administration’s emergency halt on asylum processing may last far longer than originally signaled.
He is suggesting a sweeping shift in immigration policy following last week’s deadly attack on two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.
Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump made clear that the pause on immigration from third-world countries could extend indefinitely.
The block was instituted after an Afghan national allegedly gunned down two West Virginia Guardsmen stationed near the White House.
“We have enough problems. We don’t want those people,” Trump said, adding there was no time limit on the moratorium.
While the administration initially described the freeze as a rapid response to the shooting, Trump’s comments indicate the policy could evolve into a broader crackdown targeting what he called 19 “crime-ridden” countries.
He also said he would “absolutely” pursue denaturalization of immigrants convicted of crimes, if presidential authority allows it.
“We have criminals that came into our country, and they were naturalized,” Trump said.
“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: “Reverse Migration” Means Removing Criminal Migrants Already Inside the U.S.
The president also clarified his recent use of the term “reverse migration,” which had sparked public debate and media spin.
Trump clarified that the effort seeks to remove foreign nationals who pose a threat to Americans, regardless of their immigration status.
“Get people out that are in our country — get them out of here,” Trump said.
Deadly Attack Near the White House Sparked the Emergency Measures
The dramatic policy shift comes in direct response to the killing of U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, of the West Virginia Army National Guard, who was fatally shot on Wednesday.
Her colleague, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition.
Both Guardsmen were deployed to support Trump’s federal crime-fighting mission in D.C., which included federalizing the Metropolitan Police.
The accused shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, now faces one count of first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.
The first-degree murder charge means Lakanwal will be facing the death penalty.
The charges prompted the administration to halt all asylum decisions and freeze visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports.
Trump Invites Families of Guardsmen to White House
Trump told reporters he had extended invitations to Beckstrom’s and Wolfe’s families.
“I said, ‘When you’re ready, because that’s a tough thing, come to the White House. We’re going to honor Sarah,'” Trump said.
“And likewise with Andrew, recover or not.”
A Broader Immigration Overhaul May Be Taking Shape
What began as an emergency halt is now poised to become one of the most consequential immigration shifts in recent decades, with Trump signaling a readiness to push boundaries in order to remove dangerous migrants already in the country and to prevent further entry from troubled regions.
The administration’s moves underscore a stark divide between Trump’s security-first approach and the lax border policies of the Biden era.
Critics argue that those policies directly enabled the presence of Lakanwal in the United States.
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.