In his highly anticipated return to the United Nations General Assembly, President Donald Trump used the speech to level sharp criticism at other countries, accusing them of failing to secure their borders and thereby contributing to global instability. It’s the first time he has addressed the U.N. in person since 2020, and his remarks signaled a hard-line stance on migration and multilateral cooperation.

Trump opened his speech by declaring that the U.N. has “great potential,” but he insisted that the body has yet to live up to its responsibilities. He accused numerous nations of letting in uncontrolled migration, which he described as the “number one political issue of our time,” arguing that it undermines national sovereignty, security, and cultural identity. The U.N., he said, bears partial blame for this situation by not enforcing existing norms or supporting stricter border controls globally.
Al Jazeera
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The Independent
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The Guardian
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One of Trump’s more provocative statements came when he claimed that migration policies and “open borders” are doing long-term damage, particularly to Western countries. He pointed to London as an example, naming its mayor (without always using his name) and spoke disparagingly about rising concerns around Sharia law. He warned that countries which do not reassert strong border controls risk “going to hell.”
The Independent

In addition to blaming other countries, Trump didn’t spare international institutions. He said the U.N. is “funding an assault on Western countries” through migration, and chided the institution for failing to enforce or support stricter controls. He also called for structural changes in how asylum is granted internationally—suggesting that asylum-seekers should be required to request asylum in the first country they enter rather than being able to choose which country to enter subsequently.
The Independent
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Reuters
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Domestic politics also featured in the speech. Trump contrasted his current administration with that of his predecessor, criticizing what he termed four years of “weakness, lawlessness, and radicalism” under the prior administration. He again emphasized his “America First” philosophy, calling for greater national self-determination and less reliance on multinational bodies perceived as failing to act.
The Independent
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Reactions were swift. Critics argue that Trump’s framing oversimplifies complex migration flows, ignoring factors such as global conflict, climate change, and economic disparities. Supporters welcomed his assertive tone, saying the world needs stronger leadership on border security. Observers also noted that his speech appears intended not just for international audiences, but as a message to his political base, emphasizing themes of sovereignty, national identity, and protectionism.

In sum, Trump’s return to the U.N. stage was marked by a forceful repudiation of open-border policies worldwide and a demand for accountability from countries and institutions alike. Whether his proposals to restrict asylum rights or press others to enforce stronger border controls will translate into policy or international cooperation remains to be seen—but it is clear that the global debate over migration and sovereignty is only heating up.