President Trump's Executive Order to Temporarily Suspend Immigration to the United States
President Trump signed an Executive Order suspending the entry of certain immigrants for 60 days, with certain exceptions. The proclamation went into effect on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 11:59 pm (ET).
Who does the executive order include?
It applies to people who wish to enter the US as immigrants who are currently outside the United States and who do not have a valid immigrant visa issued in their passport or a valid official travel document (for example, permit departure, bill of lading, or letter of carriage) allowing entry or admission into the U.S.
It will especially affect the beneficiaries of a family petition in the following classifications:
- Parents of US Citizens (IR);
- Children of unmarried US citizens over the age of 21 (F1);
- Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents (F2A);
- Unmarried children under the age of 21, of LPR Lawful Permanent Residents (F2A);
- Unmarried children over 21 years of age, of LPR Lawful Permanent Residents (F2B);
- Married children of US citizens (F3);
- Siblings of US Citizens (F4);
El Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, estimates that the order would block about 26,000 monthly green cards or 52,000 during the 60-day period that it is in effect. However, it is important to note that the pandemic has already greatly reduced immigration to the United States: countries have established border restrictions, visa services have been suspended, and refugee admissions are on hold, among other changes. .
Who is exempt?
The following categories are exempt:
- Spouses of US Citizens (IR);
- Children of US citizens under the age of 21 and potential adoptees seeking to enter on an IR-4 or IH-4 visa;
- US Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
- Foreign citizens seeking to enter with an immigrant visa as a doctor, nurse, or other health professional entering to conduct research or essential work to combat COVID-19, as well as their accompanying spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age;
- Foreign nationals applying for a visa to enter the US In accordance with the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program;
- Members of the US armed forces and the spouses and children of such individuals;
- Foreigners who wish to enter as special immigrants in the SI or SQ classification, and the spouse and children of such individuals;
- Alien whose entry would be in the national interest of the United States; and
- Foreign nationals whose entry would further important law enforcement objectives of the United States;
- The order does not affect the filing or processing of applications for adjustment of status (AOS) in the United States.
- This proclamation does not have an immediate impact on H-1B, L-1, E-1 / E-2 and other nonimmigrant worker programs, however the proclamation directs DHS and DOL to conduct an impact study of the temporary foreign workers in Workers of the United States. The study results could lead to future restrictions on these nonimmigrant programs.
IACO is closely monitoring the situation, and will post any updates immediately on our website: https://www.iacoimmigration.org/