Donald Trump extends visa ban, health coverage policy advances
Agencies
January 1, 2021
Washington, Jan 1: President Donald Trump on Thursday extended pandemic-related bans on green cards and work visas to large groups of applicants through March 31, while a federal appeals court sided with him on a rule that requires new immigrants to have their own health insurance.
The twin developments on the final day of 2020 encapsulated how Trump has made US immigration policy more restrictive without support from Congress. President-elect Joe Biden has promised to undo many of Trump s actions but it is unclear how quickly and even to what extent.
Federal judges have limited the impact of the pandemic-related visa bans, which were set to expire Thursday. Biden, who is now forced to decide when and whether to lift them after taking office January 20, doesn t specifically address the issue in his immigration platform.
Trump extends freeze on H-1B, other work visas until March 31
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Synopsis
The visa bans had been issued in April and June to protect American jobs and were set to expire on December 31. Extending the ban to March means US president-elect Joe Biden may have to take a tough call on whether to revoke it - and risk being seen as anti-American labour – or let it lapse in March, which goes against his more liberal pro-immigration stance.
US President Donald Trump (File photo: Reuters)
The Donald Trump administration extended a ban on immigrants travelling to the US on work-based visas and green cards till March 31, a move that directly impacts several H-1B visa holders.