During the daily Wuhan coronavirus task force briefing at the White House late Tuesday afternoon, President Trump further explained his decision to temporarily halt immigration into the United States.
"By pausing immigration, we will help unemployed Americans first in line for jobs as America reopens. So important. It would be wrong and unjust for Americans laid off by the virus to be replaced with new immigrants labor flown in from abroad. We must first take care of the American worker," Trump said. "This pause will be in effect for 60 days. Afterwards, the need for any extension or modification will be evaluated by myself and a group of people based on academic conditions at that time."
"I want citizens in this country to get jobs. I don't want them to have competition," he continued.
TRUMP: “This pandemic has reaffirmed the importance of keeping vital supply chains at home. — We cannot be reliant on foreign nations.”
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 20, 2020
“I like it made right here in the U.S.A. & especially when it comes to pharmaceutical products.”pic.twitter.com/dnHWuTIpGq
Green cards will not be issued for the next 60 days and the order will apply to those seeking permanent residency in the U.S. There will be exceptions in the executive order, including for farmers who use foreign seasonal labor.
"The farmers will not be effected by this at all. If anything we will make it easier for them to come in and go to the farm they've been working on for a long time," he continued.
President Trump said he will sign the executive order on Wednesday.
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