President Donald Trump stated Sunday that his administration’s suspension of asylum processing, following the deadly National Guard shooting earlier in the week, could continue for “a long time.” He also raised the prospect of rescinding citizenship from some naturalized immigrants who have criminal records.
Although the administration has presented the asylum freeze as an emergency measure responding to Wednesday’s shooting, the president’s remarks to reporters on Air Force One suggested the restrictions might become a more enduring strategy.
President Trump linked the suspension to a stronger stance against 19 countries he criticized as “crime-ridden.” He pledged that he would “absolutely” revoke the citizenship of immigrants convicted of crimes, provided it falls within his presidential authority.
“We have enough problems already. We don’t need those individuals,” Trump said, adding that there was no specified end date for the moratorium.
TRUMP EMPHASIZES FEDERAL LAW GIVING PRESIDENTIAL AUTHORITY TO SUSPEND IMMIGRATION AS CRACKDOWN INTENSIFIES
“We have criminals who entered our country and were naturalized,” Trump said, pledging that, “If I have the authority to do it – and I’m not certain that I do, but if I do – I would revoke their citizenship. Absolutely.”
Trump clarified his recent use of the phrase “reverse migration,” explaining that it refers to removing individuals already present in the U.S.
“Remove people who are in our country – get them out of here,” Trump said.
LAW ENFORCEMENT ON THE SCENE AFTER 2 NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS SHOT NEAR WHITE HOUSE
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan citizen, is accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members close to the White House on Wednesday.
U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed, and 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 mission to combat crime that federalized D.C. police. Trump mentioned he has invited the family members of both Guard members to visit the White House.
“I said, ‘Whenever you’re ready, because it’s a difficult situation, come to the White House. We will honor Sarah,” Trump told reporters. “And the same applies to Andrew, regardless of his recovery status.”
Lakanwal is facing one count of first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed in connection with the shooting. These charges led the Trump administration to suspend all asylum decisions and temporarily halt visa issuances for individuals traveling on Afghan passports.
