The coronavirus pandemic has forced the United States to implement a strict policy on refugee admittance.
Since March 21, the Trump administration has only granted refugee status to two people seeking the protective status at the southern border. According to a new report by the Washington Post, unpublished U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data reveals that the Department of Homeland Security implemented the policies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
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According to the report, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services conducted 59 screening interviews between March 31 and May 13 under the Convention Against Torture, one remaining qualification whereby refugees seeking asylum can be granted the status if they face grave harm should they be rejected.
The USCIS rejected 54 of those applications, with three currently pending. According to DHS, the strict protocols are also intended to reduce coronavirus cases in holding cells and immigration jails and prevent migrants and Americans from becoming infected.
The report also says the U.S. expelled approximately 20,000 people who were not authorized to cross the southern border.
On April 20, President Trump announced his intention to sign an executive order placing a moratorium on immigration amid the pandemic.
“In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!” Trump tweeted then.
The president later announced exceptions for landscapers, farmworkers, and other immigrants, saying the temporary ban was placed to protect American jobs.
