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Published 11:42 IST, April 22nd 2020

Ex-DHS chief: US President Donald Trump's immigration plan 'complicated'

Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson says President Donald Trump's plan to temporarily prevent immigration into the United States is "a complicated thing," and "you can't just shut down all immigration."

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Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson says President Donald Trump's plan to temporarily prevent immigration into the United States is "a complicated thing," and "you can't just shut down all immigration."

Johnson, DHS Secretary in the Obama administration, made the comments during a public virtual forum with House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson.

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"I'm quite sure that the announcement he (President Donald Trump) made came without a lot of planning," Johnson said.

Trump announced Monday he will sign an executive order "to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States" because of the coronavirus.

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Already, almost all visa processing by the State Department has been suspended for weeks because of the pandemic.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

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For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.

 

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11:42 IST, April 22nd 2020