United States: Donald Trump's controversial new immigration decision

Donald Trump at his last campaign meeting in Tusla. June 20, 2020. REUTERS / Leah Millis

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In the United States, Donald Trump has just signed a decree extending the visa suspension until the end of the year. A suspension which now affects exchange programs and skilled trades. The measure much criticized by business owners, especially in Silicon Valley.

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From our correspondent in New York, Loubna Anaki

The measure, taken in the heart of the coronavirus epidemic , was supposed to last 60 days. Officially, it was to protect employment in the United States in the face of the health crisis and also to prevent the arrival of workers potentially carrying the virus. Faced with the historic increase in unemployment figures in the country, Donald Trump has therefore decided not only to extend the freeze on green cards, but also to include other types of visa, until December 31. Are now concerned, for example, student research exchange program visas, visas for accompanying spouses or the famous H1B visas, which are widely used in new technology sectors.

On the other hand, no suspension for visas for medical personnel or agricultural workers.

Google and Microsoft react

The measure is expected to affect between 200,000 and 500,000 people who wanted to come to the United States. It is not unanimous, especially within large companies. Two weeks ago, a group led by Google, Microsoft and other companies, wrote to the president asking him not to block these visas explaining that these foreign workers play a big role in the country's economy.

Some see in this measure the work of Stephen Miller, Donald Trump's immigration advisor known for his very hard line. They fear that the administration is using the health and economic crisis to adopt measures that would never have happened before.

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  • United States
  • Donald trump
  • Immigration