2895 Hamilton Blvd Allentown, PA
ellen@frieslaw.com
(610) 437-3001

COVID-19 Update: President Trump Issues Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry on Immigrant Visas

COVID-19 Update: President Trump Issues Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry on Immigrant Visas

  • Posted by Ryan Schuster, Esq.
  • On April 27, 2020
  • 0 Comments

On April 22, 2020, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation suspending entry into the United States by foreign nationals with immigrant visas, visas which grant the holder permission to enter the United States and remain indefinitely.

The Proclamation responds to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting wave of domestic unemployment. To preserve jobs for American workers, impede the spread of COVID-19 and prevent further strain on the healthcare system, the Proclamation suspends the entry of foreign nationals on immigrant visas for 60 days.

The Proclamation only applies to foreign nationals who:

  • Were outside the United States as of 11:59 PM EST on April 23, 2020;
  • Did not have an immigrant visa that was valid as of 11:59 PM EST on April 23, 2020; or
  • Did not have an official travel document, such as advance parole, that would permit travel to the United States to seek entry or admission that was valid as of 11:59 PM EST on April 23, 2020.

The Proclamation does not apply to the following groups of people:

  • Lawful permanent residents of the United States (green card holders)
  • Spouses of United States citizens;
  • Children (under 21) of United States citizens;
  • Foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States on an immigrant visa as a physician, nurse, or other healthcare professional; to perform medical research or other research intended to combat the spread of COVID-19; or to perform “work essential to combating, recovering from, or otherwise alleviating the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak,” together with their spouses and unmarried children under 21;
  • EB-5 investors;
  • Prospective adoptees seeking to enter under the IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications;
  • Foreign nationals seeking to enter on a Special Immigrant Visa in the SI or SQ classification and their spouses and children; and
  • Members of the United States Armed Forces and their spouses and children.

The Proclamation specifically states that it “shall [not] be construed to limit the ability of an individual to seek asylum, refugee status, withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.”

The Proclamation is effective as of 11:59 PM on April 23, 2020, and remains in effect for 60 days, subject to extension.

The full text of the Presidential Proclamation is available here.

If you have any questions about immigrant visas or any other immigration matter, please contact a Lehigh Valley immigration lawyer at Fries Law Office.