Timelines

In December 2019, a cluster of pneumonia cases caused by a new virus was discovered in Wuhan, China. Within weeks, cases of a novel coronavirus, also known by the infection it causes, COVID-19, started appearing around the world. The United States’ first confirmed COVID-19 case was reported on January 21, 2020. On March 11, 2020, with cases rising around the world, the World Health Organization officially declared it a pandemic. Soon after, countries began measures to limit the spread of the virus.

Along with the many changes to society due to the aggressive spread of this virus, the Trump administration enacted swift changes to immigration policies. On April 22, 2020, Trump signed an executive order calling for a 60-day suspension on immigration into the U.S. The order effectively blocked new green card applications, halted refugee resettlement programs, and cancelled many routine visa services. The Administration effectively used the backdrop of the pandemic to carry out its agenda to slow immigration into the United States.

While Americans were asked by public health officials to stay home to reduce their risks of exposure, many immigrants were forced to continue working to make ends meet. Most essential services are largely employed by immigrants and people of color, leading to much higher infection and death rates in the Black, Latinx, and indigenous communities. The Migration Policy Institute estimates that 6 million immigrant workers were at the frontlines of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic, in industries including restaurants, nursing homes, hotels, meatpacking plants, and cleaning services.

In light of the massive economic impact of the pandemic, on March 25, Congressional leaders and White House reached a deal to pass a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package called the CARES Act. The deal included unemployment insurance provisions, The nation’s estimated increased funds for health workers, a loan program for small businesses, and a one-time $1200 stimulus check for individuals with an annual income below $75,000, and $500 for children.

The nations estimated twelve million undocumented immigrants were entirely excluded from the $2 trillion relief package. In addition, an estimated 16 million people in the United States live in mixed-status families with at least one undocumented family member –often parents–who were uneligible to receive relief for their children.

During the pandemic, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) under the Trump Administration, continued to raid immigrant communities increasing fears in an already anxious time.

Among the most endangered populations during the pandemic are those who are incarcerated or detained. In fact, Between 2016 and 2019, the detention of immigrants increased by 45 percent in the US, according to figures from ICE’s annual reports. With inhumane conditions that make it impossible to social distance, poor sanitation measures, the risk of serious spread of the coronavirus was imminent. Activists around the country immediately began organizing to release all detainees in ICE Custody. With the #FreeThemAll campaign, immigrant rights and prisoner rights activists demanded the release of all people in ICE detention as well as an end to enforcement operations across the United States.