United States (US) president Joe Biden, on Wednesday reversed a proclamation issued by his predecessor Donald Trump, that banned many green card applicants from entering the United States.
The ban was placed last year by president Trump, with the intention of “protecting” US workers amid high unemployment due to the coronovairus pandemic.
Biden revoked that proclamation; hence, rescinding the visa ban. Biden said it had prevented families from reuniting in the United States and harmed US business.
“It also harms industries in the United States that utilize talents around the world. And it harms individuals who were selected to receive the opportunity to apply for, and those who have likewise received immigrant visa through the fiscal year 2020 diversity visa lottery,” he said.
President Biden has promised to reverse many of Trump’s hardline immigration policies. Immigrant advocates had pressed in recent weeks, for him to lift the visa ban, which was set to expire on March 31.
Meanwhile, Biden has proposed legislation that would limit presidential authority to issue future bans against immigrants.
Lolo Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News
