Why Donald Trump wants to suspend immigration to U.S
President of the United States Donald Trump has said he would sign an executive order to temporarily suspend immigration to the U.S as the nation battles the health and economic implications of the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump in a tweet in the early hours of Tuesday morning (WAT), said he would be signing the order following “the attack from the invisible enemy” and the need to protect the jobs of Americans.
“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 and did not give details on how he plans to shut the country from the rest of the world.
His announcement came few hours after US oil prices crashed into negative territory for the first time in history on Monday (-$37.63 compared to $18.27 on Friday). The fall in demand caused by the coronavirus lockdown left the world with surplus oil with inadequate storage capacity, this means producers are paying buyers to take it off their hands, as there is too much oil, with nowhere to put it.
With over 85,000 confirmed cases about a month ago, U.S had opened its door to medical profesionals across the world, asking them to apply for its visa as it plans to hire more hands to support its fight against the virus. Less than a month after, U.S has recorded more than 800,000 cases and now shutting its door against immigrants.
Over the past four weeks, more than 20 million Americans have registered for unemployment benefits after losing their jobs due to the economic effect of the virus.
According to the New York Times, “Under such an executive order, the Trump administration would no longer approve any applications from foreigners to live and work in the United States for an undetermined period of time, effectively shutting down the legal immigration system.
