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Immigrants fear losing their job because of COVID-19 1:58
Washington (CNN) - As the United States responds to the coronavirus pandemic, the Donald Trump administration has made radical changes to the country's immigration apparatus, disrupting daily operations and disrupting the lives of thousands.
In just over a week, there have been a dozen changes, ranging from postponing immigration hearings to pausing deportation flights to certain countries and suspending refugee admissions. Adjustments to the system are being made incrementally, albeit rapidly, as the pandemic spreads across the country.
In the context of the coronavirus outbreak, the Trump administration is also trying to move forward with some of its more restrictive policies it has struggled to implement, including blocking entry to asylum seekers.
President Donald Trump confirmed that he plans to ban the entry of migrants during a White House briefing on Wednesday. "The answer is yes," Trump said when asked if he planned to take that step, which he said would come "very soon," adding: "Probably today."
LOOK : Immigrant waitress tells how covid-19 is destroying her personal economy
Below is a list of the changes to the immigration system in recent days:
ICE changes immigration enforcement operations
March 18: The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) told congressional staff that it has temporarily adjusted its "compliance posture," according to a memo obtained by CNN, marking a change in operations. as a result of the pandemic. The agency said it will target those who pose a risk to public safety and are "subject to mandatory criminal detention."
Immigrant advocates have asked ICE to halt operations amid the coronavirus outbreak, arguing that the agency has instilled fear in the immigrant community and could discourage some from seeking medical attention.
The agency said in its memo to employees that it will not conduct compliance operations in or near health care facilities, "except in the most extraordinary circumstances," adding that people should not avoid seeking medical care for fear of control.
Justice Department Closes More Immigration Courts, Postpones Hearings
March 18: The Justice Department closed 10 additional immigration courts, spread across the country, until April 10, and postponed all hearings for non-detained immigrants. The Executive Office of the Department of Justice for Immigration Review, which oversees the immigration courts, had previously made incremental changes, to the frustration of immigration judges, attorneys and prosecutors for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who urged the administration to closing the courts for the safety of staff and immigrants
United States and Canada suspend most cross-border travel
March 18: The United States and Canada announced plans to suspend non-essential travel between the two countries due to the pandemic. Trump tweeted: “We will be, by mutual agreement, temporarily closing our northern border with Canada to non-essential traffic. Trade will not be affected. Details to follow! ”
READ : United States and Canada prepare to suspend non-essential travel between the two countries
Admission of refugees on pause
March 18: The United States paused in the admission of refugees. The move comes after the International Organization for Migration, which is responsible for booking refugee travel, and the UN refugee agency announced the suspension of resettlement travel. The agencies shared concerns in a statement this week, saying international travel "could increase refugees' exposure to the virus."
The pause is expected to be in effect from March 19 to April 6.
ICE suspends some deportation flights
March 18: ICE told CNN that transfer flights to Italy, China and South Korea have been suspended. While the situation is evolving rapidly, ICE continues to deport immigrants. Before boarding, however, immigrants undergo temperature control. Anyone with a temperature of 37.7 degrees Celcius or higher is referred to a medical provider, according to the ICE website.
USCIS suspends services in person
March 17: US Citizenship and Immigration Services. USA (USCIS) announced that they will suspend their in-person services, including all interviews and naturalization ceremonies, to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. USCIS is responsible for managing the nation's legal immigration system, including green cards, citizenship, and asylum and refugee processing. He administers naturalization ceremonies across the country, one of the agency's most appreciated and public duties. The suspension will last until at least April 1.
ICE reschedules registrations in person and delays timeline for newcomers
March 17: ICE notified Congressional staff that it will temporarily reschedule in-person appointments for immigrants who are not detained to "minimize the impact" of the coronavirus. The agency will also allow those newly released from the southern border to register after 60 days, instead of 30 days.
Guatemala says it is suspending the asylum agreement with the United States
March 17: An asylum agreement between the United States and Guatemala was suspended as a precaution for the coronavirus, the Guatemalan government announced, a setback for the Trump administration, which has increasingly relied on its agreement with the country to curb the asylum. The move came a day after Alejandro Giammattei, Guatemala's president, said that the country was closing its borders in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus.
MIRA : Undocumented immigrants are encouraged to seek medical assistance if they have symptoms of coronavirus
United States extends travel restrictions to the United Kingdom and Ireland
March 16: Americans, lawful permanent residents, and their immediate families returning from Ireland and the United Kingdom began being routed to 13 select US airports. USA, where they went through detection screens, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The two countries had initially been excluded from the coronavirus-related travel restrictions.
ICE announces the temporary suspension of social visits in detention centers
March 13: ICE said it stopped social visits at all of its detention centers. The agency had previously announced that it had established protocols, in accordance with the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to protect staff and detainees.
The United States implements entry restrictions on flights from almost all of Europe
March 13: The Trump administration added more countries to its list of travel restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Earlier this year, the administration had restricted travel from China and Iran. Most foreigners who were in the Schengen Area of Europe (26 countries stretching from Iceland to Greece) in the last 14 days are prohibited from entering the USA. USA US citizens, green card holders, and immediate family members are exempt from the travel ban, but will face additional health screenings and restrictions when they arrive. The restrictions led to long waiting times at select airports, with passengers crowded and waiting to pass through US customs, after returning from abroad.
Migrant children are no longer in Washington and California
March 10 : The Office of Refugee Resettlement, the federal agency responsible for the care of migrant children, temporarily stopped putting children who come to the United States without parents or guardians in shelters in California and Washington State. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funds a network of more than 100 facilities where migrant children are cared for until they are released to sponsors in the United States. The children are released to HHS after being detained by the Department of Homeland Security.
Pandemic