File photo of former US Vice President Joe Biden.
The former vice president’s remarks came hours after Trump told reporters that he will halt issuing of new green cards or legal permanent residency for the next 60 days.
- PTI washington
- Last Updated: April 22, 2020, 2:45 PM IST
Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee for the White House Joe Biden has alleged that the immigration rhetoric of President Donald Trump is aimed at distracting everyone from his “failure” in handling the coronavirus crisis which has killed over 45,000 people in the US.
The former vice president’s remarks came hours after Trump told reporters that he will halt issuing of new green cards or legal permanent residency for the next 60 days as part of his executive order to temporarily suspend immigration into the US.
There is a need to screen travelers coming to the United States for COVID-19 “whether they are US citizens or not” and restricted travel policies in order to contain the virus are rational, Biden said.
“But it is irrational to refuse to focus the full force of the presidency on producing and distributing the number of tests we need to determine whether all people entering the US, regardless of citizenship status, are carrying Covid-19, and to successfully contain the virus.
“That’s one of the most glaring failures of this president’s response and sending inflammatory tweets to try to hide it helps no one. Mr. President, focus on getting the tests,” said the former vice president.
Later in a virtual fund-raiser, Biden called for supporting young companies and noted investments that other countries are making and their success in “attracting talented immigrants from all over the world. “Now the President Trump’s policies are doing the exact opposite,” Biden alleged.
Joining Biden, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi alleged that Trump is engaged in distractions. “He is engaged in distractions like immigration, distractions like supporting people in the street. They are all distractions away from the fact, the known fact, that he’s a total failure when it comes to testing,” Pelosi said.
There are measured and productive approaches to curbing the spread of COVID-19, namely ensuring equal access to testing and treatment; releasing individuals from ICE and CBP detention; and suspending interior enforcement, said Andrea Flores, deputy policy director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Equality Division.
“Unfortunately, President Trump seems more interested in fanning anti-immigrant flames than in saving lives. We cannot allow President Trump to exploit this pandemic to advance his racism and xenophobia,” Flores said.
