Coronavirus and Trump's Immigration Policy

President Trump originally acted responsibly with regards to the immigration into the USA. It was prudent and he should get the praise he seeks since by shutting it down in early February, it helped reduced potential infections. Granted, we now know that he hesitated all through January in doing so, allowing thousands of Chinese to enter the country, some from Wuhan. We also now know, the first deaths happened in California, not Washington, in early February.

Even the immigration from various countries was reduced or halted, those countries not impacted kept arriving and for all anyone knows, some may have had the virus also.

Now, Trump has halted all visas and green card processing for the next 60 days. What exactly is the real motive? There are thousands of those already living in the USA awaiting to get either a two or 10 year green card. They have spent their money for the filing fees, did the paperwork, and sent it in. Each day that passes, more are filed as their deadlines must be met because they also have work authorization along with the green card,so they can earn money and pay taxes. Without that, employers are forced to discharge them until received.

Since these people are already here legally, working, either on a temporary or permanent green card, halting green card processing will do nothing to combat the virus! It is no different if they were citizens. Is his thinking that some will expire during their 60-day suspension and be forced to leave the USA? Is it a thinning out process should they be positive with the virus, then, their green card will not be processed? This day will create a huge backlog of applications once the 60 days is lifted causing even more delay (right now, the wait time can be 4-8 months). There is something more sinister about trump's green card delay.

As to the visas, the same delays that occur to green cards, will acerbate the waiting period for a visa, which for many, is anywhere from 8 months to several years. These people are not already in the USA, so, this part of the delay does make sense. Also, new visa applications are not being accepted. That, really is not new, since there is a quota system based on each country. Once this number limit is reached, no further are issued until the next year.

I suppose Trump's thinking is that the USA has enough problems with the virus with those already here and that halting immigration into the USA for the next 60 days helps. But again, those with green cards are already here! Most will need to upgrade from a temp 2-year card to a 10-year card.