Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Monday, April 20, 2020, in Washington.
An executive order will be signed to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday. The decision comes in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 1,60,000 lives from across the world. Announcing the suspension of immigration to the United States, Trump took to Twitter and said, "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, however, offered no details as to what immigration programs might be affected by the order. The White House did not immediately elaborate on Trump’s tweeted announcement.
Trump has taken credit for his restrictions on travel to the U.S. from China and hard-hit European countries, arguing it contributed to slowing the spread of the virus in the U.S.
However, he has yet to extend those restrictions to other nations now experiencing virus outbreaks.
Due to the pandemic, almost all visa processing by the State Department, including immigrant visas, has been suspended for weeks.
More than 750,000 Americans have come down with COVID-19 and more than 42,000 have died.
Also Read | China rejects Trump’s demand to allow US team to Wuhan to probe coronavirus
Also Read | US wants to send team of experts inside China for COVID-19 probe: Trump
