This archive report was first published on 21 April 2020.
Trump Announces Immigration Ban Amid COVID-19 Pandemic ¶
US President Donald Trump has announced a temporary ban on immigration to the United States, citing the need to protect American jobs as the world economy struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement comes as the global economy faces unprecedented challenges, with the pandemic having claimed over 170,000 lives and infecting millions worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization, the pandemic has touched almost every nation on the planet, with the US being the host of the world's deadliest outbreak, with over 42,000 deaths and 784,000 known infections nationwide.
As the pandemic continues to spread, many governments are struggling to balance the need to protect public health with the need to support their economies.
Trump's announcement has been met with criticism from rival Democrats, who accuse him of politicizing the health crisis to push his anti-immigrant agenda.
However, Trump remains committed to his plan, tweeting that he will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States.
"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!" he tweeted.
