[ad_1]
On April 22, President Donald Trump signed an order to temporarily block the permanent residence of some foreigners in the United States, saying he was doing it to protect American workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Also read: Analysis | Trump has taken his administration’s immigration war to the next level
The order will last 60 days and will then be reviewed and possibly extended. Some critics viewed Republican Trump’s announcement as a measure to take advantage of the coronavirus crisis to implement a long-sought political goal of banning more immigrants before the Nov. 3 election.
“To protect our great American workers, I just signed an executive order temporarily suspending immigration to the United States. This will ensure that unemployed Americans of all backgrounds are first in line for jobs as our economy reopens, ”Trump said at his daily press conference on the coronavirus at the White House.
He also said he will “preserve our health care resources for American patients” affected by the coronavirus.
White House lawyers worked all day to craft the language of the order, prompting some officials to say the firm may have to wait until April 23. But aides described Trump as eager to sign the document.
Also read | “H-1B Denial for IT Businesses Increases Under Trump”
Trump won the White House in 2016 in part on the promise of cracking down on immigration and has made the issue central to his presidency. But many of his main moves to curb immigration have been challenged in court, and legal experts said this executive order could also face lawsuits.
An official from the US Department of Homeland Security. USA Who requested anonymity said the order would only apply to people applying for permanent residence from outside the United States, not to those already in the country seeking to adjust their status.
Trump said the order would initially last 60 days and could be renewed for the same period or longer, and that a second immigration-focused order was being considered.
A person familiar with the internal debate at the White House said Trump and his aides had discussed the executive order over the weekend and that the move targeted his election base.
“He has always wanted this,” said the person. “But now, under this pandemic, you can absolutely do it.”
