Trump’s Immigration Ban Does Not Keep Us Safer or Solve our Economic Challenges

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump signed an executive order today to temporarily suspend immigration to the United States. The order applies to many individuals currently outside the United States who do not yet have immigrant (permanent) visas.

The measure will have a devastating impact on family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents in the United States who will face prolonged separation from family members abroad. The order also shuts down the diversity visa program and will have a troubling but limited impact on the employment-based immigration categories. The order does not apply to lawful permanent residents who are already in the United States and does not impact nonimmigrant (temporary) visas.

The following statement is from Beth Werlin, executive director of the American Immigration Council:

“Today’s immigration ban is unprecedented. Undeniably, we are in the middle of a moment like none other, and the pandemic is challenging us on multiple levels as a nation. We must rise to the occasion to meet this crisis. We need a strong and effective public health response, and we need a smart economic recovery plan. However, today’s order is about neither.

“There has been a steady effort by the Trump administration to completely shut down immigration to the United States for the past three years. It is no surprise they are using the coronavirus as a pretext to advance this agenda. Today’s order does precisely what the president has been asking Congress to do: cut immigration levels overall, separate families, and terminate the diversity visa program.

“Our political leaders should be focused on containing and preventing further spread of the coronavirus, but instead the president is attempting to divide us. He is attempting to distract and deflect attention by focusing on his go-to issue—immigration.

“America is at its best when we band together and take care of one another in spite of the uncertainty of the moment. Since the coronavirus outbreak began, we have seen a renewed sense of interdependence and mutual care rise up from all corners of our nation. We must stand united. Americans and newcomers are in this fight together as we recover and rebuild our economy. The vibrancy of our future depends on it.”

A summary of the presidential proclamation suspending the entry of certain immigrants is available here. 

###

For more information, contact:

Maria Frausto at the American Immigration Council, [email protected] or 202-507-7526.