Trump Highlights Presidential Authority to Restrict Immigration Following National Guard Shooting

CHICAGO, Illinois — November 30, 2025 — Former President Donald Trump referenced a federal law granting the president broad authority to suspend immigration in a post on Truth Social, days after unveiling a new immigration agenda and following a shooting involving National Guard members in Washington, D.C., officials said.

Trump highlighted Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which authorizes the president to “suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants” if their entry is deemed detrimental to the interests of the United States. “Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate,” Trump wrote, quoting the law.

The post came amid intensified immigration enforcement actions by the Trump administration following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. One of the members, Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died after the attack, while Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition, according to authorities. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, has been accused in connection with the shooting.

On Thursday, Trump vowed to halt immigration from what he described as “Third World countries,” reverse admissions policies from the Biden administration, and remove foreign nationals considered public threats, security risks, or “non-compatible with Western Civilization,” officials said.

Trump argued that the U.S. immigration system has been overwhelmed and said his approach would allow it to “fully recover.” He also pledged to end federal benefits for noncitizens, denaturalize migrants accused of undermining “domestic tranquility,” and expand deportations.

In line with the administration’s crackdown, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Friday that it had halted all asylum decisions, according to officials.

The developments follow a broader context of immigration enforcement and policy changes under the Trump administration, which has emphasized border security and immigration restrictions. The shooting of the National Guard members has intensified calls within the administration for stricter immigration controls.

Fox News Digital contributed to this report.