In addition, Trump confirmed he would end welfare and financial aid for non-citizens, emphasising that he would revoke the citizenship of immigrants who undermine national peace and deport any foreign nationals deemed to be a public burden, a security risk, or incompatible with Western civilisation.
Trump’s comments came in response to the tragic incident where a US National Guard member was killed, and another seriously injured, by an Afghan refugee. The shooting has prompted increased scrutiny of refugee vetting procedures.
Earlier, officials from the Department of Homeland Security revealed that Trump had ordered a review of the refugee status approvals made under the Biden administration and the Green Cards issued to nationals from 19 countries.
Meanwhile, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed on Wednesday that the agency had suspended the approval process for all Afghan nationals seeking immigration status indefinitely.