The US President Donald Trump late Monday took to twitter claiming in a bid to tackle the attack from the ‘Invisible Enemy’ he would sign an order to temporarily suspend immigration into America.
Much as the tweet was unprecedented, it justifies the question of how such a ban would be enforced.
Trump is known for implementing policies that are anti-immigration and encourage travel blocks from Muslim countries to the US. In March, the administration also blocked travel from China, parts of Europe, and the United Kingdom due to the coronavirus.
Though it is not clear at the moment how the planned ban would impact job market that Trump talks of salvaging through his message, the tweet has received instant defence from the White House, shared by reporter Brian J. Karem, reasoning Trump’s plan to save the job market for Americans as necessary.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic the State Department has already stopped processing visas. The executive order could be focused on foreign worker visas, which has been an issue Trump has faced criticism in the past and again during the pandemic for easing requirements for seasonal foreign workers.
Despite working to restrict immigration since taking office and chastising US companies for hiring overseas workers, Trump’s businesses have hired hundreds of temporary foreign workers in recent years.
Last month, the State Department eased requirements for most seasonal foreign workers, waiving previously required in-person interviews for temporary worker visas. DHS also announced changes last week that would make it easier for US farmers to hire temporary workers, saying it was necessary to protect the nation’s food supply.
