Policy Summary
Shortly after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, many countries are revising their entry policies. President Trump has imposed travel restrictions that will go into effect the end of this week on foreigners travelling from any of the 26 countries within the EU Schengen Zone. Travelers who have been in China or Iran within the last 14 days will also be banned from entering the US.
These restrictions do not apply to US citizens who will be returning from travel abroad; however, US citizens who have been in China in the last 14 days may enter the US only through 1 of 11 airports (Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York City (JFK and EWR)) where they will undergo thorough screenings. Vice President Pence has stated US citizens returning to the US will have to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their return. The travel limitations will only impact humans and not goods, though the Asian and European markets are plummeting. During this initial scramble to get back to the US before the ban goes into effect plane tickets have sky rocketed, and over the course of long-term profits, airlines and global businesses could face potentially dire consequences.
Analysis
European leaders are furious with President Trump’s decision to restrict entry to the US. They concur that due to the worldwide nature of the pandemic, a travel ban is not the most effective route. But instead such an ordeal that enshrines global health, economics, and politics, should demand cooperation amongst global leaders rather than unilateral decisions.
In regard to the Remain in Mexico policy being upheld, in addition to asylum seekers being stranded and left resource-less in an already compromised scenario, the pandemic adds an extra layer of hysteria on the quest to get into the US and be protected by certain rights granted to asylum seekers.
Engagement Resources
- The National Immigration Law Center: an organization that exclusively dedicates itself to defending and furthering the rights of low income immigrants and strives to educate decision makers on the impacts and effects of their policies on this overlooked part of the population.
- Border Network for Human Rights: network to engage education, organization and participation of border communities to defend human rights and work towards a society where everyone is equal in rights and dignity.
- World Health Organization: the WHO provides updated information surrounding COVID-19 and global responses
- Center for Disease Control: the CDC provides updated information surrounding COVID-19 and the US responses
Photo by CDC