Concern For Several Indo-Americans As Trump Halts Issuance Of Green Cards For 60 Days

The US President Donald Trump has announced that issuing of new green cards or legal permanent residence will be halted for the next 60 days.

A man walks by India's consulate general in New York. FILE PIC/AFP

The US President Donald Trump has announced that issuing of new green cards or legal permanent residence will be halted for the next 60 days. This is part of the executive order for a temporary ban on legal immigration that was given yesterday and will be formalised on Wednesday. As the coronavirus cases increase ra[idly in the United States, these measures are being taken to curb further spread of the virus. According to a PTI report Trump told reporters at his daily White House news conference on coronavirus, “We must first take care of the American worker... This pause will be in effect for 60 days, after which need for any extension or modification will be evaluated by myself and a group of people based on economic conditions at the time." He added, “We have a solemn duty to ensure these unemployed Americans regain their jobs and their livelihoods. Therefore, in order to protect American workers, I will be issuing a temporary suspension of immigration into the United States. You heard about that last night. By pausing immigration, we'll help put unemployed Americans first in line for jobs as America reopens," The move will affect many Indian Americans as their wait for the Green Cards just got longer. According to a report by Economic Times around 227,000 Indian nationals who have been living in the US for years are in line for a family-sponsored Green Card. Trump had clarified that the ban on immigration will not be extended to those who have entered the country on a temporary basis. According to an IANS report, visas such as H1-B for professionals, E-2 for a category of investors and L-1 visas for employees of foreign companies transferred to work in the US and seasonal immigrants for agriculture will not be affected. He said, “This order will apply only to individuals seeking a permanent residency, in other words, those receiving green cards; big factor, will not apply to those entering on a temporary basis." He also added, “Some people will have to come in; obviously, we have to do that, obviously even from a humane standpoint." Trump also stated that this pause on new immigration will help to conserve vital medical resources for American citizens. “A short break from new immigration, depending on the time we're talking about, will protect the solvency of our healthcare system and provide relief to jobless Americans.”