By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
28, November 2025 - According to a post on his social media platform, Trump said the freeze is necessary to “allow the U.S. system to fully recover.” He pledged to end “all federal benefits and subsidies to non- citizens,” vowed to revoke protections for migrants he deems “not a net asset” to the country, and ordered mass reviews of asylum and green-card cases.
The freeze, he said, includes migration approvals from previous administrations. In effect, it signals a sweeping rollback of U.S. immigration policy, potentially affecting both new applicants and those already legally residing in the country.
A senior official from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) echoed the directive, announcing “a full-scale, rigorous re-examination of every green card for every alien from every country of concern,” under instructions from Trump.
Why the Move Is Unusually Broad, and Controversial
The term “third-world countries” wasn’t defined in the directive, and no list was published publicly. Experts say that under U.S. immigration law, a blanket “permanent pause” lacks clear legal definition, meaning implementation could face major legal challenges.
Some analysts warn that it represents one of the broadest immigration crackdowns in recent U.S. history. It could affect asylum seekers, refugees, migrants from conflict zones, and diasporas worldwide, including many from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The freeze also threatens to upend established systems for family reunification, refugee resettlement, and international mobility, creating anxiety among millions who rely on U.S. legal immigration pathways.
Global Fallout: Reactions & Risks
The announcement has met strong pushback from internationally recognised agencies and refugee-rights groups. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other organisations have urged the U.S. to honour its obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention and maintain access to asylum.
In countries with large diasporas in the U.S., there is fear, and in some cases panic, as large families face separation, disrupted lives, and uncertain futures. Observers note that the ripple effects will extend far beyond U.S. borders, affecting global migration flows, remittances, and refugee-resettlement programmes.
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At the same time, some governments in Africa and other regions are reportedly reviewing their postures, while media analysis warns of increased deportation pressure and even the possibility that the U.S. may revive controversial “third-country deportation” deals with nations willing to accept expelled migrants.
What’s Next, What to Watch
The new directive is expected to face significant legal challenges, as the constitutionality and statutory basis of a blanket “permanent pause” on migration remain uncertain. Courts may soon be required to determine whether such a sweeping order violates existing immigration laws or constitutional protections.
The impact on asylum seekers and refugee applicants could be severe. Thousands of pending applications, particularly from people fleeing conflict, persecution, or political instability, may be frozen or cancelled, leaving vulnerable individuals in prolonged uncertainty.
The move is also likely to trigger strong humanitarian and diplomatic pressure. International organisations, rights groups, and foreign governments may lobby Washington to reverse or soften the decision, especially where their citizens are directly affected.
There is also a heightened risk of increased deportations and revived third-country migration deals. Historically, such agreements have raised human-rights concerns, including inadequate protections for returnees and fragile host-country capacities.
Globally, the policy could reshape migration patterns and disrupt economic stability. Reduced movement to the U.S. may affect remittance flows, labour markets, and diaspora networks, creating ripple effects across economies that rely heavily on overseas workers. Trump’s decision to “permanently pause” migration from “third-world countries” is more than a policy shift, it’s a historic turning point. If fully implemented, it could reshape the global migration order, redraw the map of diaspora communities, and upend lives and livelihoods across continents. The world is watching, and for many, the stakes are nothing short of survival.
