Thread by @ChrisLu44, THREAD: As Trump issues a new threat to suspend immigration, let's remember [...]

THREAD: As Trump issues a new threat to suspend immigration, let's remember that immigrants are on the front lines of treating #COVID19 patients

Immigrants make up 28% of doctors, 24% of nurses and home health aides, and 50% of geriatric specialists. 1/6 https://www.vox.com/2017/2/1/14470746/trump-travel-ban-health-care-doctors

Foreign-born doctors are more likely to work in underserved areas, such as inner cities and rural areas. In fact, these immigrant doctors make up a majority of the doctors in Detroit and Miami, two of the areas hardest hit by #COVID19. 2/6

U.S. hospitals also lack qualified nurses. Under Trump, new red tape requirements are preventing foreign nurses from coming to the U.S. where they're desperately needed now to care for #COVID19 patients. 3/6 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-28/trump-rules-bar-thousands-of-foreign-nurses-willing-to-help-u-s

Trump Rules Bar Foreign Nurses Willing to Help U.S.

As the coronavirus pandemic threatens to strain nursing staffs at hospitals across the U.S., Melanie N. Beckham knows where to find reinforcements. But first, the Trump administration needs to give...

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-28/trump-rules-bar-thousands-of-foreign-nurses-willing-to-help-u-s

#COVID19 highlights the need for experienced aides in nursing homes, where a quarter of direct-care workers are foreign-born.

35,000 aides are from countries where Trump has removed TPS status

11,000 are from countries covered by his Muslim ban. 4/6 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/health/illegal-immigrants-caregivers.html

If Immigrants Are Pushed Out, Who Will Care for the Elderly?

Nearly one million immigrants are taking care of elderly patients. Many caregivers may lose their protected status; others may choose to leave an increasingly restrictive country.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/health/illegal-immigrants-caregivers.html

Thousands of foreign medical professionals are in the U.S. on temporary visas, risking their lives to treat #COVID19 patients. These healthcare workers face the prospect of leaving the U.S. if their visas aren't renewed by Trump. 5/6 https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-04-06/foreign-doctors-on-u-s-frontlines-of-covid-19-fear-deportation

Foreign doctors on front lines of COVID-19 fear deportation from U.S.

As with many foreign doctors on the front lines of the pandemic in America, Vakkalanka's H-1B visa is tied to his employment, and he fears he could lose his status and get deported if he remains sick.

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-04-06/foreign-doctors-on-u-s-frontlines-of-covid-19-fear-deportation

Another critical group of #COVID19 responders are the 29,000 DACA recipients working in healthcare.

Conclusion: Trump's immigration threat is just his latest effort to scapegoat and deflect.

America is better than this. 6/6 https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/dreamers-risk-lives-on-pandemics-front-lines-while-they-await-court-ruling/2020/04/11/d34a7b58-76c4-11ea-85cb-8670579b863d_story.html

‘Dreamers’ risk lives on pandemic’s front lines while they await a decision on their own futures

An estimated 29,000 health workers could lose their work permits if the Supreme Court ends the program for undocumented workers brought here as children.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/dreamers-risk-lives-on-pandemics-front-lines-while-they-await-court-ruling/2020/04/11/d34a7b58-76c4-11ea-85cb-8670579b863d_story.html

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