Editor’s note: When it comes to immigration — illegal or otherwise — the American people have a right to be concerned. Each week, Liberty Nation author Kelli Ballard examines a contentious issue related to today’s hottest topic.
As the Coronavirus pandemic sweeps across the nation, business goes on at the White House, and that includes immigration control. Since Donald Trump took the Oval Office, illegal immigration has been a hot topic, and with the disease spreading and threatening all communities, the temperature is not going down. Despite getting flak for just about every action he takes, the president still works to protect our borders while fighting the invisible enemy known as COVID-19. Here’s what has changed or is in the process of being updated on the alien frontier:
Border Closures
On March 20, the president held a press conference to announce the closure of the northern and southern borders, except for medical purposes and other essential travel. Immigration advocates have accused the Trump administration of being racist, of targeting certain nationalities, such as Mexicans from Mexico, and preventing them from entering the United States. But closing the northern border excludes Canadians and other Europeans as well. Despite the initial outcry when the commander in chief banned travel from China and then Europe to stall the spread of Coronavirus, the light bulb seems to have turned on and the need for these closures is more widely understood.
Immigration Court
In March, the Justice Department closed many immigration courts throughout the country, postponing hearings except for illegal migrants in detention.
Refugee admissions also have been delayed after the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration announced a suspension of resettlement travel.
ICE Deportation Flights Bring Back Stranded Americans
While many of the flights to return illegal immigrants to their home countries have been suspended during the pandemic, some are still being carried out, with the return trips being used to bring back U.S. citizens stranded on foreign soil due to the Coronavirus outbreak. On March 22, Honduran nationals were removed from the United States; two days later, Salvadoran nationals were returned to their native land. That provided the opportunity to bring back 209 American citizens from Honduras and El Salvador and another 65 on March 25.
More of these removal flights were used to return Americans:
- March 27: 130 citizens in Honduras were brought back on two separate flights and another 127 from El Salvador.
- March 30: 16 Americans came back from Colombia.
- March 31: 114 U.S. citizens were returned from El Salvador.
- April 1: 69 residents returned from Nicaragua and Honduras.
- April 3: 124 Americans were brought back from El Salvador.
Before boarding any aircraft, passengers were screened for fevers and other symptoms of the virus.
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Read more from Kelli Ballard.
For home study students and young people, Liberty Nation recommends…
All About Immigration
High School: The Story of Immigration and America
Middle School: The Story of Immigration and America
Elementary School: The Story of Immigration and America
All About Coronavirus
High School: The Spread of Coronavirus: How it Works
Middle School: A Scientific Look at COVID-19
Elementary School: Coronavirus: The Science
Watch Now
Video: What’s the Point of Borders?
