Trump Plans to Halt Immigration Into the U.S. Due to Coronavirus and Mass Unemployment

Last night, President Trump announced he will sign an Executive Order suspending immigration into the country, saying he is doing so to protect American workers as the coronavirus has taken a toll on the economy. 

“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,” Trump wrote on Twitter. 

For weeks FAIR has called for the issuance of such a moratorium under broad executive authority that was strongly reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in 2018. Section 1182(f) of Title 8 of the INA states: Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or non-immigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem appropriate.

While this is an encouraging announcement, details remain murky. Would the upcoming EO affect all permanent immigration categories? Are guest workers included, or are some categories exempt? How long will it last? We’ll see. Despite reaction by the media figures, Democrats, and open borders groups, the idea to pause immigration is widely supported by the American people.

A recent USA Today/Ipsos poll released found that nearly eight-in-ten Americans, or about 79 percent, want a full halt on immigration into the country. Likewise, a Pew Research Center survey revealed that more than 80% of Americans call mass immigration into the U.S. a “threat.” 

FAIR’s position here is clear – mass immigration at the height of an unprecedented health crisis and mass unemployment is not in the national interest. Period. We’ll have more to say as details emerge.