Immigration has been hit particularly hard during the pandemic. The U.S., like many other nations, has closed much of the access to its borders. Policies are being derived from both pressing medical concerns as well as non-medical issues like the economy. What has already transpired expects to have lasting impact. It’s crucial to remain aware of pandemic related actions alongside the principles that we hold most dear.

Pandemic Issues and the Impact Upon Immigration

There’s currently a backlog of immigration cases. This is making life difficult across America. People seeking entry into the U.S. are not the only ones suffering. There are economic and other factors that are being hit hard as well. Positions like front-line workers are among the most apparent.

The immigration issues that leaders attribute to the pandemic are certainly not isolated to the U.S. Consequences exists for migrants throughout the globe. There have been cascading effects. For example, popular policies that limit immigration can quickly catch on. What is more concerning is what has already happened in Europe. When a country begins closing its borders, the political and even diplomatic relationships of its neighbors are sometimes strained. These sorts of issues have proven disconcerting along the Mexican-U.S. border as well as Central America.

Immigration is a Global Concern with Far-reaching Implications

Immigrants often make up a significant portion of front-line workers. They will be in great demand long after the pandemic is deemed over. While the world combats COVID-19, economies suffer. The short-term effects may not seem very problematic. However, long-term growth and development have already led to market crashes and curtailed spending. Many experts believe that immigrants will remain central to these issues.

The Challenge of Leadership

Jean Danjong Chen is one of the foremost immigration attorneys. She can attest to the growing backlog of U.S. citizen applications. Chen lives in San Jose, California. Her firm, the Law Offices of Jean D. Chen, has contributed to the approval of more than 10,000 visas and green cards. The firm is licensed and operates throughout the 50 states.

Among the ways in which Jean Danjong Chen helps solve the issues that weigh on immigrants is through the support and guidance of the immigration process. Individuals often will go through a rather convoluted system before being granted access into the U.S. Chen has pushed for tangible solutions to current problems. For example, she analyzed how travel restrictions impact Chinese citizens. The impact of quarantines were among the most pressing issues that Jean Danjong Chen identified. She also examined the new bans being implemented by cruise ships.

Medical vs. Non-Medical Justification

When the mainstream media discusses COVID-19, medical issues tend to take center stage. The medical community drives most new policies occurring today. However, there are a lot of changes taking place in our world. A global economy in disarray is just one of the many things that humanity must now adjust to. Shutdowns and partial openings will have long term impacts. No one can predict the outcomes of all that will transpire. Non-medical justifications for policy changes, as well as for actions taken at the regional and local levels are unavoidable.

Jean Danjong Chen cautioned about remaining true to established immigration policy. Medical and other professionals are working in some of the most trying conditions that our world has ever seen. During these challenging times, we can be easily compelled into unjust circumstances. Many things will be lost, or at least delayed. We must be vigilant to mitigate those issues that are most dire to life and liberty.

The World has been Changed Forever

COVID-19 radically altered how the world conducts its business. This has been seen at all levels. From governmental regulation, to international and regional business, human networking has undergone a radical transformation in just a few short months. The Internet continues to prove to be a great asset in this regard. Experts routinely compare how the response to COVID-19 outperforms pre-Internet virus outbreaks. Even amidst all the accusations of lackadaisical response, digital communication is an undeniable advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There’s No Going Back

What has transpired during the middle of 2020 will reshape much of the world. While some maintain that globalization has retracted, there’s no denying the advancement of worldwide digital networks. More people than ever are getting involved with online technology. It’s a technological adoption that has been greatly accelerated over a very short time. One of the primary reasons was the need to inform people of the latest news about how the virus spreads as well as local events and attitudes. Immigration is in the spotlight because of how crossing borders can be problematic for medical professionals and quarantines.

Transitioning to a Better Future

As Autumn approaches, workplaces, schools and entertainment venues have all placed restrictions on human to human interaction. Immigration policies will be tougher than before because of the requisite behaviors and attitudes that some will invariable harbor. Still, COVID-19 does represent an opportunity to rethink what was not working prior to the pandemic. The way that it has forced the world to take notice can be used to enact positive change. DACA policies have been making headlines. It’s unlikely that there would be this much attention if there wasn’t a pandemic.

Concluding Remarks

The world needs to work together to find better solutions for immigration policies. By its nature and history, immigration directly and indirectly impacts groups of nations at every turn. Understanding the underlying issues needs to be part of the foundation of any plan. This will ensure that actions have been carefully considered instead of adversely influenced by emotions or whims. Short-term public perception should not alter the primary agendas of a nation’s immigration policies. Instead, leaders, migrants and the general public should already harbor reliable expectations. This will aid all the parties involved in making a migrant’s dream come true.