Nancy Mace on Bill to Ban Immigration from the “Third World Hell”: Language and Policy at Centre of Controversy as US Public Support Grows

International Desk. October 5, 2026. Dhaka

Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mays (South Carolina) has introduced a bill called the “Third World Immigration Moratorium Act.” The bill was introduced on July 15, 2026, and aims to ban citizens of dozens of “third world” countries from entering the United States. She recently gave a new statement on this in a Facebook post.

In the post, Mays wrote that the American people will no longer tolerate “games.” He alleged that many of those countries have refused to comply with deportation orders and failed to provide basic verification information on their citizens. In his words, entry to the United States is “not a right, but an opportunity.” He said that America will not be allowed to become a “third world hell.”

What’s in the bill:

According to Fox News, the bill would ban citizens of 39 countries in the Caribbean, the Middle East and Africa and also block holders of travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. The list matches the Trump administration’s current list of full or partial bans, meaning the executive order aims to turn the matter into law. Permanent residents (green card holders), diplomats, NATO personnel, athletes at major international sporting events and special immigrant visa holders working with the US military would be exempt. The Secretary of State would have to report to Congress every 180 days on the introduction, modification or extension of the ban. The bill also allows for case-by-case waivers.

Criticism and political reaction:

The bill is expected to face a tough road in the House. Democrats, as well as some Republicans, favor legal immigration from countries like Cuba and Venezuela. Thomas Kennedy, a legal expert at the Florida Immigrant Coalition, called the bill’s name racist and antiquated. He said none of the countries listed have a majority white population. Mays’ office did not respond to the criticism. The bill comes at a time when Mays is considering his political future.

What US public opinion says:

The picture of public opinion is mixed. Overall support for reducing immigration is growing, but support for specific country-specific restrictions is low.

– A January 2026 Pew Research Center poll (8,512 respondents) found that 60 percent of people in 75 countries oppose the policy of suspending immigrant visa applications.
– A survey by the Economist/YouGov found support for reducing legal immigration, especially among conservatives and Trump voters. But only 6 percent said immigration was the most important issue.
– Another YouGov poll found Trump’s immigration policies were supported by 35 percent, with 52 percent disapproving. A Marquette Law School poll found Trump’s approval rating on border security was 54 percent, but his approval rating on broader immigration policies was 45 percent.
– A February 2026 Gallup poll found that 58 percent said immigration should be reduced, according to a survey-analysis site (uspollingdata.com). The percentage of people who think immigration is “good for America” has fallen from 63 percent in 2020 to 44 percent in 2026.
– The same analysis found that while support for a tough border policy in the abstract is strong, support for specific measures like mass deportations is declining. Immigration fell from being the second most important issue in 2024 to fourth in May 2026.

Background:

Trump announced a “permanent suspension” of immigration from all “third world” countries. At the same time, the processing of Afghan immigration applications was halted and USCIS announced that it was re-evaluating green cards for people from 19 countries. Supporters argue that the lack of cooperation in deportations and the lack of vetting pose a national security risk. Critics say the ban on citizens of an entire country is discriminatory and will harm many innocent people.