According to President Donald Trump announced on a Tuesday (December 2nd) the complete cessation of issuing green cards and citizenship to citizens of 19 countries. This decision, which followed a partial travel ban imposed in June, was justified on the grounds of national security and public safety.
The decision was reportedly spurred by a recent incident where an Afghan refugee allegedly opened fire on two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., resulting in one death. Following this attack, President Trump announced a broader cessation of refugees from "third world countries."
The 19 countries targeted were listed as: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
During a cabinet meeting, Trump reportedly reacted sharply to the attack, making strong, insulting remarks against Somali refugees and directing personal criticism toward Somali-born U.S. Congressman Ilhan Omar, whom he referred to as "garbage."
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