Trump to Temporarily Suspend Immigration into the US Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Strategic Insights -

President Donald Trump has announced plans to sign an executive order temporarily suspending immigration into the United States. The order, which could take effect as early as Tuesday, will include exemptions for migrant farmworkers and immigrant healthcare workers, particularly those treating coronavirus patients. Despite the exemptions, the move has raised concerns about the potential impact on the US economy and the hundreds of thousands of people who could be affected by the suspension.

Key Takeaways:

  • The executive order will include exemptions for migrant farmworkers and immigrant healthcare workers, who make up a significant portion of the labor force in these sectors.
  • Roughly 10% of agricultural workers are migrants on H-2A visas, and 16% of the healthcare labor force are immigrants.
  • The US issued roughly 500,000 visas and 577,000 green cards in the fiscal year 2019, according to data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services agency.
  • The immigration suspension will not remove immigrants who are already in the US, or address the visa renewal process for immigrants who already live and work in the country.
  • Trump has broad authority over immigration regulations, and the Supreme Court in 2018 upheld his sweeping travel ban from several majority-Muslim countries.
  • The near-total immigration suspension is unprecedented in the US and could potentially impact hundreds of thousands of people.

Statistics:

  • 10% of agricultural workers are migrants on H-2A visas [1]
  • 16% of the healthcare labor force are immigrants [2]
  • 500,000 visas were issued in the fiscal year 2019 [3]
  • 577,000 green cards were issued in the fiscal year 2019 [3]
  • The US heavily relies on immigrants in both sectors to maintain the national food supply and treat patients

Sources:

  • [1] The Wall Street Journal, "Trump to Temporary Halt Immigration into the U.S. Amid Coronavirus Crisis"
  • [2] The Department of Family Medicine at the University of Washington, "Immigrants in Healthcare Occupations"
  • [3] US Citizenship and Immigration Services, "Final FY 2019 Statistics"