Trump: 60-Day Immigration Suspension Will Include Green Card Applicants
A 60-day ban on immigration to the United States will also cover applications for permanent residence. Trump, in announcing this decision, emphasized that priority should be given to the domestic workforce. Meanwhile, another economic stimulus package worth $480 billion was approved by the Senate.
With an agreement between Democratic and Republican senators, another $480 billion economic stimulus package was allocated to counter the destructive effects of the coronavirus pandemic. $60 billion of this amount will be spent on emergency loans, $75 billion in healthcare services, and $25 billion in medical research related to the coronavirus.
This package was approved after extensive debate. Democrats said they would only vote for it if more funding was included for health services and coronavirus testing. They also demanded more budget for states and cities that had suffered more than others from the epidemic.
The recent package must also be voted on in the House of Representatives. The U.S. Treasury Department says the $480 billion package will likely be the final bailout package.
Congress approved a two trillion dollar economic stimulus package in March to be spent on programs supporting small and medium-sized businesses or direct financial assistance to families. A week earlier, a $350 million package to help employers’ financial situation had been approved.
At the same time, Donald Trump announced that the 60-day suspension of immigration to the United States will also apply to individuals seeking permanent residence in the country. This restriction will not include temporary residence and work visas.
Trump cited his sense of obligation to the American workforce in facing the coronavirus pandemic as the reason for this decision. Referring to millions of people becoming unemployed in recent weeks, he noted that his country’s labor market has been severely damaged by the pandemic. Trump said: “It is unfair and wrong that foreign workers take their place.”
The two-month immigration ban could preserve critical medical resources for American citizens.
At a White House press conference, Trump recalled that at the end of these 60 days, he will make appropriate decisions to review or continue this suspension. He also said that exceptions will be included in this suspension.
The U.S. President, at the time of announcing this decision on Twitter, emphasized the need to protect American businesses against the “invisible enemy.” However, in early March, he had formally said that everything was under control and there was no need to worry.
Critics of the Trump administration and several media outlets say Washington did not respond to warnings in time and has delayed in managing the disease. Immigration rights advocates believe that Trump’s new decision has electoral motivations.
So far, 22 million Americans have registered to receive unemployment benefits.
As of Tuesday, April 21, the death toll from coronavirus in America was 44,000.
Source: DW
