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The administration of President Donald Trump has delivered a new and strong message to the world: entering the United States is no longer a right, but a privilege granted only to those who respect the law, share national values, and actively contribute to the country.
This was made clear by Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, in recent statements to Fox News and also during an official press conference that marks a new chapter in U.S. immigration policy.
"Coming to the United States is a privilege, not a right."
In exclusive statements to Fox News, Leavitt was blunt:
“Let me remind people from all over the world that coming to the United States of America is a privilege, not a right. And if you abuse that privilege, if you do not align with the values of the United States, if you do not respect our country, our culture, our laws, and our people… you are not welcome here under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump.”
With this statement, the White House sends a clear message that redefines the parameters for admission to the country, consolidating a narrative in which national identity and security take precedence over traditional principles of hospitality.
"Trump has done more than any president in history."
Leavitt did not hesitate to praise the current leader's role in this transformation:
"President Trump has done more to end illegal immigration and strengthen our legal immigration system than any president in history."
The official defended the series of measures that have been implemented for months.
Among them, a travel ban to 19 countries deemed by Washington as "third world" or "failed states." According to Leavitt, this list may expand in the coming days.
“Secretary Noem announced tonight that she recommends expanding the travel ban to include more countries around the world,” said the spokesperson.
Blow to special visas and increased scrutiny
One of the focal points of this migration offensive has been the use of special immigrant visas, particularly by Afghan citizens.
"Many Afghans have used special visas to enter our country. However, there has been a complete suspension and a pause on all of them," Leavitt assured.
Additionally, he explained that the entire visa process has undergone an unprecedented tightening.
"We have greatly strengthened and increased the investigation process and requirements for this. Under Secretary Rubio's leadership at the Department of State, unprecedented authority has been used to revoke visas even for individuals who entered legally but pose a risk to our country," he asserted.
This strict review also extends to the asylum system, which is currently paused while an internal examination is conducted.
The attack and the radical shift in immigration policy
The hardening occurs within a context of growing concern for national security, especially following the recent shooting involving an asylum seeker.
As a direct consequence, the admissions of Afghan refugees were immediately suspended, and it was confirmed that admissions in general "remain at minimal levels."
The spokesperson defended this course of action.
"The president has made tremendous progress on this front," he said, highlighting that the southern border "remains under control" and that there has been "a drastic reduction in the entry of illegal immigrants."
According to Leavitt, these measures not only respond to an urgency of security but also aim to shape the profile of those who are allowed into the country.
"The priority of the Trump administration is to ensure that future citizens love the United States, add value, and integrate into its culture," he insisted.
Tougher Proposals: Kristi Noem's Vision
In parallel to these statements, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, took her rhetoric a step further.
Through his account on the platform X, he proposed a total travel ban on citizens from countries that, he claimed, have "flooded" the United States with "foreign invaders."
"I just met with the president. I recommend a total ban on travel to all countries that have been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and welfare addicts," wrote Noem, in a tone heavy with alarm and disdain.
The official did not provide specific names, but her message was unequivocal.
"Our ancestors built this nation with blood, sweat, and an unwavering love for freedom, not for foreign invaders to massacre our heroes, exhaust our hard-earned taxes, or take away the benefits we owe to Americans. We do not want them. Not one of them," he concluded.
The White House presents this shift as a "historic advance." According to Leavitt: "No one has done more to curb legal and illegal immigration than Trump."
Some of the most drastic initiatives currently underway include the proposal to revoke citizenship from naturalized individuals if it is proven that their process was fraudulent or harmful to national interests.
Leavitt concluded with a reaffirmation of the new approach: “Leaders have a duty to defend and promote the interests of their own people, not those of foreigners.”
The official statement from the White House leaves no room for ambiguity. The Trump administration is reconfiguring the foundations of U.S. immigration policy, establishing a border that is not only physical but also ideological.
In this new framework, being “welcome” in the United States means more than just meeting legal requirements: it is a declaration of cultural, ideological, and political affinity with a national project defined by selective exclusion and absolute control.
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