White House prepares new immigration restrictions due to coronavirus: what you need to know

The administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing to introduce another set of restrictions on legal immigration, citing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, even though the administration insists on the resumption of the US economy. Writes about it CNN.

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Despite President Donald Trump's efforts to overcome the pandemic, the administration continues to take steps to reduce immigration, citing the outbreak and its effects on the economy.

One of the key figures behind the desire to limit immigration is Stephen Miller, Trump's leading immigration adviser and developer of the presidential immigration program. In April, Trump signed a decree banning US immigration. Trump argued that an order was needed to protect American jobs.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the administration has taken a number of immigration measures. Those changes include closing the southern border to immigrants, including those seeking asylum, unless certain conditions are met.

Following the President’s order in April, Miller called the move the first step in reducing the flow of immigrants arriving in the United States. In this statement, the deadlines for the order were set, and it is already approaching, but the opportunity was also left for its extension or change.

Interested groups, businesses, and experts are struggling with any new restrictions, stating that visas that allow immigrants to work temporarily in the United States are critical to the country's economy.

“Why does he want to cut off the critical workforce that will help the economy recover?” said Greg Chen, director of government relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

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“This is not a rational or reasonable approach, it only points to the main goal of achieving the president's campaign goals to stop immigration,” Chen added.

Trump promised that the order “will ensure that unemployed Americans of any origin are first in line for jobs as our economy opens.”

Trump's political advisers see moves on immigration as motivation for his supporters at a time when the president's key campaign message - a strong economy - has been greatly weakened by the pandemic.

Legal immigration, which has already suffered during the outbreak, is again in the spotlight.

The issue of suspension of a visa allowing immigrants to temporarily work in the USA for some time is being considered, including L-1 visas for intra-company transfers, H-1B for workers in their specialty, H-2B for temporary work, non-farm workers and J- visas 1.

According to sources, it is expected that exceptions will be made for workers associated with Covid-19, such as medical workers and jobs related to food supplies.

In recent weeks, businesses and industry groups have raised concerns, emphasizing the importance of a highly skilled workforce for the US economy.

The Industry and Commerce Association (ITI) wrote to Trump, arguing that non-immigrant visas are key to sustaining the economy in a global public health crisis.

ITI is supported by companies such as Apple, Google, Microsoft and Oracle.

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“Limiting our human capital could have unintended consequences and could create significant economic uncertainty if we are forced to recalibrate our workforce based on country of birth,” said the letter, signed by hundreds of employers, commerce, industry and higher education institutions. Signatories included Facebook, Twitter, Google, Lyft and others.

Visas are “a critical safety valve for companies to meet seasonal labor needs” when there are no American workers to fill short-term jobs.

“There are employers, there are trade associations that are constantly talking to the administration and Congress about the value of these programs,” said Gregg Hartley, co-chair of the H2-B Workforce Coalition.

But just as businesses and industry groups have contributed, so too, advocates of reduced immigration, say change is needed to protect American workers.

“We provide information, and most importantly, our members are committed to the same position,” said Roy Beck, president of NumbersUSA, a group that advocates for reducing immigration.

Republican Senators Tom Cotton, Ted Cruz, Chuck Grassley and Josh Hawley also sent a letter to Trump calling on him to suspend the issuance of new work visas for 60 days, as well as “certain categories” of work visas “until at least next year, or until unemployment continues to rise.” will return to normal levels" to protect American workers.

As ForumDaily wrote earlier:

• April 22, US President Donald Trump signed a decree restricting immigration to the country. It will be valid for 60 days, and then can be withdrawn or extended.

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