Trump: Suspension of Refugee Admissions May Last "a Long Time"

　　U.S. President Donald Trump stated on November 30 that the government's decision to suspend the processing of asylum applications could last "a long time," though he has not yet determined exactly how long.

　　Speaking to reporters aboard the presidential aircraft Air Force One, Trump said the measures have "no time limit but may last a long time." He added, "We have enough problems. We don't want those people. Do you know why? Because many of them are worthless, and they shouldn't be in our country."

　　This follows an incident on November 26 when two members of the U.S. National Guard were shot in Washington, D.C., by an Afghan immigrant, resulting in one death and one serious injury. Hours after the incident, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it would immediately suspend the processing of immigration applications from Afghans. The agency also stated it would initiate a re-examination of green card (permanent residency) holders from 19 "countries of concern," including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, and others. On November 27, Trump declared that he would "permanently suspend immigration from all 'Third World countries.'" He did not specify which countries are included.

　　According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the suspect in the shooting is 29-year-old Afghan citizen Rahmatullah Rakanwal, who has been charged with first-degree murder. Rakanwal previously worked for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency in Afghanistan. After the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, he entered the United States in September of the same year through a U.S. government program that resettles Afghan refugees who served American interests and was formally approved for refugee status in April this year.

　　The U.S. government's recent announcement of a series of immigration control measures has drawn criticism and condemnation from various parties, including the United Nations and Afghan refugee rights organizations. They have warned the United States to comply with international law and avoid "politicizing" isolated attacks, which could harm the rights of refugees.