Trump says asylum freeze could last ‘long time’ after Guard shooting

president Donald Trump said Sunday that his administration’s pause on processing asylum claims in the wake of a deadly shooting by the National Guard earlier this week could last “for a long time,” and floated the possibility of revoking citizenship from some naturalized immigrants with criminal histories.

While the administration framed the asylum freeze as an emergency response to Wednesday’s shootings, the president’s comments to reporters aboard Air Force One suggest the restrictions could evolve into a longer-term approach.

President Trump linked the pause to a more forceful stance toward 19 countries he derided as “crime-infested” and vowed he would “absolutely” revoke the citizenship of immigrants convicted of crimes — if it was within his presidential authority.

“We have enough problems. We don’t want these people,” Trump said, adding that there was no time limit for the freeze.

Trump highlights federal law that gives presidential authority to stop immigration as campaign escalates

“We have criminals who came to our country and were naturalized,” Trump said, vowing that “if I had the ability to do it – I’m not sure I do it, but if I did – I would revoke their citizenship. Absolutely.”

Trump clarified his recent use of the term “reverse immigration,” saying it meant the removal of people already inside the United States

“Get the people out of our country, get them out of here,” Trump said.

Law enforcement responded after two National Guard members were shot near the White House

Rahmanullah Lakkanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, is accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members a few blocks from the White House on Wednesday.

National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot and killed in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Beckstrom died Thursday in hospital. (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia/Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

US Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed, while her colleague, US Air Force Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition. Both Guard members were deployed to D.C. as part of Trump’s crime-fighting mission that led to the consolidation of the federal D.C. police. Trump said he invited family members of the two Revolutionary Guard members to the White House.

Click here to download the FOX NEWS app

“I said, ‘When you’re ready, because this is difficult, come to the White House. We’ll honor Sarah,'” Trump told reporters. “Similarly with Andrew, recovered or not.”

Two National Guard soldiers were shot and killed Wednesday near the White House in Washington, D.C., and the alleged gunman, Rehmanullah Lakkanwal, has been charged with first-degree murder. (AP Photo/Anthony Peltier; Provided by the Department of Justice)

Lakhanwal faces one count of first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill during the shooting, charges that prompted the Trump administration to halt all asylum decisions and stop issuing visas to people traveling on Afghan passports.