SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — President Trump’s immigration tweet created confusion among key industries in San Diego.
On Monday night, the president tweeted he was suspending immigration temporarily through an Executive Order, “in light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens.”
“He achieved what he wanted,” said immigration attorney Jacob Sapochnick. “It was fear.”
Sapochnick has been on the phone with clients ever since the president’s announcement.
“Especially employers, they're asking what's going to happen. Can we continue filing H-1Bs? Clients are asking will they take my green card away? People just don't know what's going to happen.” Sapochnick said. The H-1B visa program gives temporary visas to high-skilled foreign workers.
During his afternoon briefing Tuesday, President Trump clarified his proposed policy saying he would be placing a 60-day pause on the issuance of green cards. He said there would be "certain exemptions" included in the order, which staff were still crafting Tuesday.
Sapochnick is encouraging people to act quickly, while we wait and see what is next.
“If you’re holding on your citizenship, file. If you’re thinking about getting a green card for a spouse, do it now,” Sapochnick said Tuesday morning.
“Information is certainly changing rapidly,” said Hannah Bgeh, the president of the San Diego County Farm Bureau.
Those with H-2A visas, temporary agricultural workers, would not be affected by an immigration suspension. Bgeh said that is a good thing considering the labor shortage that has plagued the industry for years.
“Now that the coronavirus pandemic is here, the shortage is even more severe,” she said.
Sapochnick said the Executive Order is sure to face legal challenges.
“He's going to be sued by multiple states... we’re going to get an injunction. The order is going to stop for awhile and then there’s going to be a court hearing [to] make a decision if it’s constitutional or not,” Sapochnick said.
