President Donald Trump signed his anticipated executive order barring some immigration to the United States on Wednesday evening, nearly 48 hours after announcing the move on Twitter. President Trump said his new U.S. immigration ban would last 60 days and apply to those seeking green cards for permanent residency in an effort to protect Americans seeking to regain jobs lost because of COVID-19.
“It would be wrong and unjust for Americans laid off by the virus to be replaced with new immigration flown in from abroad. We must first take care of the American workers,” President Trump told reporters at the White House. The first order would include exemptions for those involved in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, including farm workers and those helping to secure U.S. foods. President Trump also confirmed that a secondary order was under consideration.
The president said the executive order barring some immigration would not apply to individuals entering the United States on a temporary basis and would be re-evaluated once the 60-day period had passed.
