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Trump wants to suspend immigration 2:48
(CNN) - President Donald Trump says that his decree prohibiting new immigration to the United States will only be for people who are looking for green cards, green cards, will last 60 days and will not affect workers who enter the country temporarily.
Explaining details of the move for the first time since he tweeted Monday night that it would "temporarily suspend immigration to the United States," Trump announced something less than a total stop on immigration.
Instead, he said the provision would amount to a 60-day break only for people seeking permanent resident status in the United States.
He said he would review the executive order at the end of that period and decide if it should be renewed. He did not say when he would sign it.
Trump emphasized the economic effects of the order, stating that it would "protect American workers."
An administration official with knowledge of the process told CNN that President Trump's decree only addresses green cards because the work visa part is more complicated and takes more time to resolve, especially given that many of those currently They are in the United States on work visas. They are working on things related to the pandemic, from workers in food processing plants to health workers.
This source said that while in practical terms routine green card operations are now closed anyway, it will eventually return to normal in the absence of a new policy.
The source said the 60-day request includes an option to extend if necessary.
The first draft of the decree went to lawyers for review last week. In addition to Stephen Miller, Ken Cuccinelli has been a great internal advocate for doing this.
With information from Kevin Liptak
Green card