Hispanic community expresses concerns about immigration ban

President Donald Trump is planning to temporarily suspend immigration to the United States due to the coronavirus outbreak. He said it's a move to protect the jobs of American workers.

President Trump previously restricted travel from China and Europe to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

He now plans to suspend immigration to the United States.

Members of the Hispanic community say if the suspension is for safety reasons, that's understandable, but if it's for job security that's not something they can wrap their head around.

"We hope that the administration is doing this to protect our country," Benjamin UySmith, Asian Focus, said.

President Trump says he plans to pause immigration for people seeking green cards for 60 days -- hoping to limit the competition for jobs.

"He shouldn't have said he wants to protect the jobs of Americans. He should have said he wanted to protect the jobs of all, not just Americans, that's his job as the president," Gerardo Cepulda said.

"If you look at construction sites -- the main people working and doing those jobs are Hispanics, are immigrants," Sarai Gonzalez said.

The executive order would bar only those seeking permanent residency, not temporary workers.

"It's a big deal to be in this wonderful place, to be here and to grow here and you want that opportunity for everybody," UySmith said.

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

President Trump plans to review the executive order after 60 days to decide whether it will be extended.

Recursos de coronavirus

Y EN ESPAÑOL:

El presidente Trump anunció que suspenderá temporalmente la inmigración al país, medida que consistiría en que el gobierno detenga las nuevas solicitudes de residencia permanente y algunos permisos de trabajo.

La communidad Hispana esta deacuerdo si esto es para protejer el pais contra el coronavirus. Pero si es para protejer trabajos, no estan deacuerdo.

A través de un tuit el Lunes, El Presidente Trump anuncio:

"A la luz del ataque del enemigo invisible, así como la necesidad de proteger los trabajos de nuestros grandes ciudadanos americanos, firmaré una Orden Ejecutiva para suspender temporalmente la inmigración a los Estados Unidos!"