Following the tragic and unjustifiable attack on two young National Guard members in Washington by an immigrant from Afghanistan, President Donald Trump has elevated the concept of “reverse migration” as a central principle of his administration’s policy.
On social media, the president announced immediate immigration measures such as “permanently pausing migration from all Third World countries” and aggressively pursuing the deportation of millions of non-citizens.
“Reverse migration” generally refers to the process in which people return from their destination or host region to their place of origin—or to a region with fewer economic opportunities—after having previously migrated in the opposite direction. It is essentially a regressive migratory flow.
The term “reverse migration,” as articulated by the President, seeks a sustained reduction in the foreign-born population.
Trump has promised to end what he calls, “Biden’s millions of illegal admissions,” terminate federal benefits and subsidies for some non-citizens, and even denaturalize migrants deemed to undermine domestic tranquility.
However, critics from immigration organizations consider the proposals alarming, given that numerous academic studies show that immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than native-born citizens.
Furthermore, the nature of the proposals—targeting millions of legal residents, including those with Green Cards from so-called “countries of concern,” and reviving the term “Third World countries”—has been condemned as collective punishment.
The economic ramifications of a “reverse migration” policy could be far-reaching. Foreign-born workers represent a significant portion of the U.S. workforce, filling critical roles in various sectors.
The prospect of losing millions of workers, particularly during a period when labor shortages persist in many industries, could negatively impact the economy. Socially, this policy would represent a departure from the identity of the United States as a nation built by immigrants.
Similarly, the review of Green Card holders from specific countries and the suspension of pending asylum processes are already causing fear and uncertainty among legal residents and asylum seekers.
According to Nicole Melaku, executive director of the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), “The suspension of asylum decisions and visa processing not only affects those seeking refuge, but also families awaiting reunification and individuals who have contributed positively to American society.”
“These individuals and families, who are seeking safety and stability, are not responsible for the violence in Washington, D.C.,” Melaku stated.
