President Donald Trump said late Monday night he will sign an executive order temporarily suspending immigration to the United States as the nation battles the health and economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
"In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!" he tweeted.
It's unclear what mechanism he will use to suspend immigration, how long such a suspension could last or what effect this will have on the operation of US border crossings and on those who already hold green cards.
The White House declined to provide further information on the executive order Monday evening. The Department of Homeland Security didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
As a result of coronavirus and attempts to curtail its spread, immigration to the United States has been largely cut off: Refugee resettlement has been put on hold, visa offices are largely closed and citizenship ceremonies aren't happening. Trump didn't offer details Monday on what he intends to do to further restrict immigration in the face of coronavirus.
Immigrant advocates immediately pushed back against the tweet.
"This is not about the policy. It is about the message the president wants to send. He wants people to turn against 'the other.' And, regardless of the valuable contributions immigrants are making to the response and recovery, he sees immigrants as the easiest to blame," Ali Noorani, the executive director of the National Immigration Forum, said on Twitter.
Trump's tweet comes as the administration seeks to reopen parts of the country from the coronavirus shutdown through a phased approach, but it's also a continuation of the President's 2016 campaign promise to slow immigration.
Trump has repeatedly touted his decision to halt travel from China and Europe as a means of blunting the spread of coronavirus in the United States.
Against the backdrop of the pandemic, the Trump administration has tried to move forward with some of its most restrictionist policies that have struggled to be put into practice, including blocking entry to asylum seekers.
Citing the "unscreened" and "unvetted" people who come into the US across the southern border, Trump said late last month that the border would be sealed off "mostly, and even beyond, but mostly during this global pandemic." Restrictions on nonessential travel remain in effect and on Monday, the Department of Homeland Security announced they'd be extended with Mexico and Canada.
The administration has also put in place an order allowing the US to swiftly remove migrants arrested at the border, including children.
vecabcky
0
Trump when you’re Great Great grand parents went to Africa to kidnap kunta kinte and others bringing them in America to build the country were you was
vecabcky
0
Someone need to tell Trump,this land is a freedom land,America was created by God,he don’t know the history of this country look at Dubai that country was nothing 30years ago and look now what that country look like Dubai was build by immigrants ,and still build by immigrants can someone please teach him the history of America
Lauceikpuz
1
trump forgot to suspend coronavirus from entering usa
JohnMc2018
0
That’s a myth— USA don’t need use china anymore for mass mdustrial trade.. He would rather produce from his own country.. let everyone run they’re own countries so decent countries don’t have to keep giving all the time...
Even if they don’t need anymore they already have 1.7 trillion worth to pay back
Deathtothescum
0
No more money to be sent to other countries even tho AMERICA are 1.7 trillion in debt of China
That’s a myth— USA don’t need use china anymore for mass mdustrial trade.. He would rather produce from his own country.. let everyone run they’re own countries so decent countries don’t have to keep giving all the time...
JohnMc2018
0
England and USA citizens are learning now that populist leader with blond hair lack leadership. Next time chose better . It is a pity that the best health system in the world struggling with COVID19 due to lack of leadership. Koodo to Thailand. And New Zeeland,
It’s not lack of leadership it’s elitism
Deathtothescum
0
u think America can savive without depending on others,let me tell u America does not help anyone for free. think with ur head before u talk.
They trade yes they don’t need anyone like England doesnt— People are sick of giving billions to other countries when there’s still people in they’re own countries suffering.. To many countries are ponces and take take take—- Thank god england have left the eu...
JohnMc2018
0
Well done trump! All countries should look after themselves 1st.. All countries should be self efficient .. No more money should be sent to other countries, look after the poor in your own country 1st. Charity begins at home.. Stop using tax payers money to fund other countries..
No more money to be sent to other countries even tho AMERICA are 1.7 trillion in debt of China
JohnMc2018
0
it's a step back for me ! I should have been in the US in may, why Corona virus?
U dodged a bullet why go to that horrible country
JohnMc2018
1
Temporarily 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 HE WILL PERMANENTLY stop immigrants the racist clown
MusaIsma-il
1
Well done trump! All countries should look after themselves 1st.. All countries should be self efficient .. No more money should be sent to other countries, look after the poor in your own country 1st. Charity begins at home.. Stop using tax payers money to fund other countries..
u think America can savive without depending on others,let me tell u America does not help anyone for free. think with ur head before u talk.
Wimbpty
1
England and USA citizens are learning now that populist leader with blond hair lack leadership. Next time chose better . It is a pity that the best health system in the world struggling with COVID19 due to lack of leadership. Koodo to Thailand. And New Zeeland,
vitcorsu
1
there are two pandemic one is covid-19 and the other is trump
BayorJosef
0
it's a step back for me ! I should have been in the US in may, why Corona virus?
stay in your countrt
TheBeautifulGame1
3
The biggest clown of all time COAT
Deathtothescum
2
Well done trump! All countries should look after themselves 1st.. All countries should be self efficient .. No more money should be sent to other countries, look after the poor in your own country 1st. Charity begins at home.. Stop using tax payers money to fund other countries..
Vezonic22
0
Whatever Trump! America isn't all milk-n-honey as was once thought to be.
pooblyz
1
it's a step back for me ! I should have been in the US in may, why Corona virus?