In case you missed it, Trump pledged on Twitter to end immigration during the pandemic. Evidently an attempt to change the narrative from the intense criticism his administration is facing over the blunderous handling over the coronavirus outbreak. So far, only new green cards are blocked and the ban intends to be in place temporarily for 60 days.
This is one of the most hideous and mean-spirited public policy moves a President could make. it completely undermines the argument that anti-immigration Republicans are just interested in the rule of law. It is a direct attack on legal immigration that has no relationship whatsoever to pandemic response.
At a time when the United States should be gearing up for a decades-long global confrontation against China, the president of the United States has chosen to weaken us by pushing away some of the world's brightest minds who may want to come and contribute to our economic and scientific development. Closing the door to law-abiding immigrants hurts the US economy and damages our national security.
The United States should do exactly the opposite: expedite green cards for Visa holders who are contributing to our pandemic response. Tens of thousands of doctors, nurses and other health professionals are here on temporary visas, putting their lives on the line to save American lives. We should show them our gratitude by expediting green cards for them and for their families.
We should be signalling to the world that we are the place for high achievers and ambitious people to come and realise their dreams. We should be tearing down barriers, not raising them.
The American dream is not just for people who have special blue passports. It is for anyone who believes in capitalism and hard work, in innovation and in freedom.
America cannot triumph over the evil Mafia led by Xi Jinping by closing ourselves off to the world and pushing away those who would become part of our great republic. We must open ourselves up to the world and we must live our values as the most capitalist and free country on Earth.