When President Donald Trump announced that he was signing an Executive Order to “temporarily suspend immigration into the United States” in order to protect the lives and jobs of “our GREAT American Citizens,” congressional Democrats were appalled and called Trump’s actions “racist” and xenophobic.
“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,” tweeted President Trump
No sooner than the announcement was made, Florida Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D) responded by stating that the Trump administration “always falls back on xenophobia” when one of their plans fail or slightly misses its mark.
“Blaming immigrants will not keep Americans safe from #COVID-19,” tweeted Rep. Frankel “We need tests & leadership, not finger-pointing & thinly-veiled racism.”
With the Coronavirus’ origins having come from Wuhan, China, there is a very high probability that the disease was spread around the world by an individual who either immigrated to the U.S. from China or who had contact with someone there infected with the virus.
But as the deadly virus spread around the world, the U.S. wasn’t the only country to temporarily suspend immigration. Italy was the first European nation to temporarily suspend immigration for asylum seekers and migrants.
According to The New Humanitarian website, “Integration services for migrants and asylum seekers across Italy have also been temporarily suspended or heavily reduced. Political positions over migration have hardened too.”
Like Italy, Trump’s suspension is for all immigrants, but it appears as if Frankel’s remark may have been directed at the president’s tough immigration position along the U.S. southern border with Mexico, which affects Hispanic and Latino immigrants.
Later this year, Frankel will defend her congressional seat for the first time in 4 years. Frankel will most-likely face Conservative journalist Laura Loomer, who supports Trump's immigration policy and is considered the overwhelming favorite to win her Republican congressional primary race.
Frankel ran unopposed in 2018.
This administration always falls back on xenophobia when things don't go to plan—it’s shameful.
@realDonaldTrump, blaming immigrants will not keep Americans safe from #COVID19.We need tests & leadership, not finger pointing & thinly-veiled racism https://t.co/8cDkoQSbdX
— Rep. Lois Frankel (@RepLoisFrankel) April 21, 2020
