Donald Trump plans to stop immigration into US because of coronavirus pandemic

US President Donald Trump has said he intends to temporarily suspend immigration because of coronavirus.

In a tweet, the president cited the "Invisible Enemy" as the reason behind his intended plan to sign an executive order to block movement into the country.

Mr Trump’s tweet said: “In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!”

He offered no details as to what immigration programs might be affected by the order and by Tuesday afternoon the White House had not elaborated on the measures.

Mr Trump has taken credit for his restrictions on travel to the US from China and hard-hit European countries, arguing it contributed to slowing the spread of the virus in the US.

But he has yet to extend those restrictions to other nations now experiencing virus outbreaks.

Due to the pandemic, almost all visa processing by the State Department, including immigrant visas, has been suspended for weeks.

The president has used the virus to effectively end asylum at US borders, turning away even children who arrive by themselves — something Congress, the courts and international law had not previously allowed.

Mr Trump's announcement has been hit by a wave of criticism, especially the timing during the pandemic.

Ali Noorani, president of the National Immigration Forum, noted that thousands of foreign-born health care workers are currently treating people with Covid-19 and working in critical sectors of the economy.

“The fact is that immigrants are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. citizens on the front lines helping us get through this pandemic,” he said.

Andrea Flores of the American Civil Liberties Union said, “Unfortunately, President Trump seems more interested in fanning anti-immigrant flames than in saving lives.”

But Jessica Vaughn, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, which favors lower rates of immigration, said that eliminating millions of work permits and visas would “instantaneously create” new jobs for Americans and other legal workers — even though most businesses are shuttered because of social distancing dictates and stay-at-home orders.

Mr Trump has often pivoted to his signature issue of immigration when he’s under criticism.

It’s an issue he believes helped him win the 2016 election and one that continues to animate his loyal base of supporters heading into what is expected to be a brutal re-election fight.

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.”

Though travel restrictions around the globe have dramatically reduced immigration, Mr Trump could use his executive authority to restrict it further, including slashing the number of foreign workers allowed to take seasonal jobs around the country.

Mr Trump signed an executive order to block movement into the country. Credit: Alex Brandon/AP

National security adviser Robert O’Brien, meanwhile, compared the expected order to restrictions on travel to the US from China that Mr Trump put in place in January.

“We’re trying to do everything, the president’s trying to do everything he can to put the health of the American people first during this crisis,” Mr O’Brien said on Fox News.

Mr O’Brien said the administration believes the China restrictions saved lives.

Asked about Mr Trump’s reference to jobs, Mr O’Brien referenced the virus’ economic toll and said “the president’s looking out for Americans on both fronts at every turn”.

The US is now reporting more Covid-19 cases than any other country in the world, with almost 800,000 Americans infected, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University. More than 42,000 have died.

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