The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has enacted a policy suspending immigration applications from 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Somalia, and others already facing travel restrictions. This decision follows a tragic incident in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members were shot, resulting in one death. The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in September 2021, had previously been granted asylum under the Trump administration.

USCIS justified the suspension by citing the need for enhanced screening and vetting processes for individuals from these high-risk nations. Critics, however, argue that this policy unfairly scapegoats entire nationalities for the actions of a single individual. Tanya Greene, the U.S. director of Human Rights Watch, stated that the policy reflects a stigmatization of people based on their country of origin rather than genuine safety concerns.

The National Immigrant Justice Center condemned the administration's actions as an exploitation of tragedy to advance anti-immigrant policies, warning that such measures threaten the rights of individuals seeking asylum and protection under U.S. and international law. Uzra Zeya, CEO of Human Rights First, called for a shift towards moral leadership instead of punitive measures that could exacerbate xenophobia and violence.

In a related development, President Trump made derogatory remarks about Somali immigrants during a cabinet meeting, labeling them as "garbage" and asserting they contribute nothing to the U.S. His comments coincided with reports of planned immigration enforcement operations targeting undocumented Somali immigrants in Minnesota, where a significant population of Somali descent resides.

Local leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, defended the Somali community, emphasizing their contributions to the local economy and culture. In response to Trump's remarks, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar criticized the focus on her and the Somali community, describing it as an attempt to intimidate.

Community organizations, such as the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), expressed concern over the increased immigration enforcement targeting Somali residents, characterizing it as politically motivated rather than a standard immigration policy. They called for equitable treatment of all immigrants and condemned the use of inflammatory language that could incite fear and division.

The Somali government has not issued a direct response to Trump's comments, but community members have expressed shock at the language used by the U.S. president, advocating for a more respectful discourse. The issue of Somali recruitment by extremist groups has been a concern for U.S. authorities, although recent years have seen significant efforts to address these incidents.