The Trump administration has announced significant policy changes regarding federal benefits for undocumented immigrants following a security incident near the White House. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed on Friday that the administration is working to cut off federal benefits to what he termed 'illegal aliens.'
Security Incident Triggers Policy Shift
The development comes after a serious security breach in Washington DC on Wednesday, where two National Guard members were shot by an Afghan national. The incident resulted in the death of one guardsman and prompted immediate security reviews.
According to official reports, the alleged shooter has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome. The FBI has launched an international terror investigation into the matter, revealing that the suspect opened fire without provocation in an ambush-style attack, armed with a .357 Smith and Wesson revolver.
Trump's Strong Stance on Immigration
President Donald Trump responded decisively to the incident, announcing on Thursday that he would suspend migration from what he called 'Third World countries'. In a social media post, the President declared: "I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the US system to fully recover."
The President directly linked the shooting to his decision to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to the city, stating: "If they weren't effective, you probably wouldn't have had this done. Maybe this man was upset because he couldn't practice crime."
Administration's Concrete Actions
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking from the Oval Office on Friday, made the administration's position clear. "At Trump's direction, we are working to cut off federal benefits to illegal aliens and preserve them for US citizens," Bessent told Reuters.
This announcement represents a significant escalation in the Trump administration's anti-immigration stance. The President has also threatened to reverse 'millions' of admissions granted under his predecessor Joe Biden, signaling a comprehensive review of existing immigration policies.
The administration's moves come amid growing concerns about national security and the allocation of federal resources. The Treasury Department's involvement indicates that financial benefits and support programs will be a primary focus in the upcoming policy changes affecting undocumented immigrants in the United States.
