Trump administration uses COVID-19 as cover once again for its racist immigration policies

On June 22, the Trump administration expanded its proclamation from April that temporarily closed off immigrant visas to certain applicants outside the United States. That original proclamation, which you can read about here, was also extended by an additional 60 days, and will last at least through December 31.

The latest expansion suspends entry for a number of nonimmigrants in the following categories: H-1B, H-2B, L-1, and J-1 visas. These visas are meant for certain specialty workers, some temporary non-agricultural workers, intracompany transfers, and professional and educational exchange visitors.  As with the original proclamation, the expansion applies to those who are outside the United States as of June 22, do not have a valid nonimmigrant visa as of June 22, and who do not have an official travel document otherwise.

The original proclamation was veiled in concern regarding travel during the COVID-19 crisis as well as protection of domestic employment. Given the administration’s disastrous handling of the crisis, both in terms of protecting the physical and economic health of the country, immigration advocates are poking holes in the flimsy reasoning quite easily. It is quite clear that the administration is exploiting the COVID-19 crisis in order to further its racist and xenophobic agenda, scapegoating immigrants and nonimmigrants alike in a repeat of the 2016 Trump campaign.

You can find more details on the new proclamation here: https://cliniclegal.org/press-releases/administration-escalates-its-covid-19-exploitation-extended-and-expanded-immigration