Republicans seem mostly supportive of President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would temporarily suspend legal immigration into the United States to protect Americans from the coronavirus and a flooded job market when more than 22 million workers are unemployed.
Details about the expected executive order are not clear, but despite Democrats slamming Trump for dismissing the contributions of some foreign workers, Bloomberg News reported it obtained a draft of the order, which includes exceptions for people working directly in the supply chain and also those working in health care or as medical research professionals.
In the same Bloomberg article, Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) remarks to Fox News were included:
“I think this is a reasonable short-term measure, a reasonable emergency measure,” Cruz said.
House and Senate leadership have not weighed in, but others agree with Trump’s plan, expressing support on Twitter.
In a statement, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany described the order as aimed at protecting both the “health and economic well-being of American citizens as we face unprecedented times,” the Daily Journal reported.
“At a time when Americans are looking to get back to work, action is necessary,” McEnany said.
Thomas Homan, Trump’s former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told Reuters: “It’s really not about immigration. It’s about the pandemic and keeping our country safer while protecting opportunities for unemployed Americans.
Follow Penny Starr on Twitter
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.