The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security has called for the immediate implementation of extensive new travel restrictions in response to a fatal shooting in the nation’s capital. The proposal follows an incident where a member of the National Guard was killed, allegedly by an individual from Afghanistan.
In a social media statement, the secretary announced the recommendation after consultations with the president. The post advocated for a comprehensive ban on entry from nations deemed to be sources of individuals who threaten public safety or exploit American systems. The message employed stark language, contrasting the nation’s founding principles with the actions of what it termed “foreign invaders.”
Specific countries targeted by the proposed ban were not named. A department spokesperson indicated that a formal list would be released shortly. The rhetoric aligns with recent executive actions to curtail immigration, including a recent presidential order to halt migration from what was described as “third world countries” and a suspension of visa issuances for Afghan passport holders.
Authorities report that the suspect in the shooting had been resettled in the United States several years ago following the military withdrawal from Afghanistan and was granted legal asylum earlier this year.
During a television interview, a White House representative confirmed the president’s support for the Homeland Security secretary’s expanded proposal. The official stated that entering the United States is a privilege contingent on adherence to American laws and values, and that those who violate this trust would be barred.
This latest initiative is part of a broader review of immigration policies. The administration has previously enacted bans affecting travelers from nearly twenty countries, primarily in Africa and the Middle East, which remain subject to ongoing legal disputes. The current proposal signals a potential significant widening of those restrictions.