Trump endorses Noem's call for 'full travel ban' on countries accused of sending 'killers' to the US

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has suggested a broad travel prohibition targeting numerous unspecified nations she claims have "flooded the country with dangerous individuals and opportunists," though she did not clarify the specific countries or groups involved. In a Monday evening post on Elon Musks platform X, Noem stated she had met with former President Donald Trump and recommended a "complete travel ban" on unidentified foreign entrants.

"Our nation was built through dedication, sacrifice, and the pursuit of freedom not to allow outsiders to endanger our citizens, exploit public funds, or take benefits meant for Americans," Noem wrote. Trump later reposted her message on Truth Social without additional remarks, while the official DHS account echoed: "EVERY DAMN COUNTRY."

Noems announcement follows a recent shooting in Washington, D.C., in which two West Virginia National Guard members were targeted. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old originally from Khost, Afghanistan, reportedly had a background in the Afghan Army and had been granted asylum in April 2025 under the Trump-era resettlement program, Operation Allies Welcome.

Lakanwal, arrested in connection with the shooting, had served alongside U.S. special forces for a decade. Friends noted he worked as a delivery driver to support his family while managing PTSD. Reports suggest he had been "radicalized" domestically through local and community connections and previously served in a U.S.-aligned paramilitary unit.

Following the incident, DHS implemented strict new immigration measures, including freezing all pending asylum requests within the U.S., banning Afghan nationals, reviewing green card applications from 19 countries, and reassessing asylum approvals issued during Biden's presidency. These steps could affect approximately 1.5 million asylum seekers and over 50,000 individuals granted asylum during Bidens term.

In another Truth Social post, Trump called for a "permanent pause" on migration from unspecified developing countries, overlapping with existing bans on 19 nations, mainly in the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Latin America like Venezuela and Haiti. DHS and the White House have not provided immediate comments.

Author: Sophia Brooks