President Trumphas issued aPresidential Proclamation to temporarily stop the issuance of all immigrant visas (greencards) at Embassies abroad for sixty days effective midnight on April 23, 2020.  Contrary to the overarching language used inthe President’s original tweet, the text of the Proclamation reveals that itwill have very little impact on business immigration.
Importantly, thisProclamation does not apply to those who are already in the United States andapplying for a green card, nor does it apply to those entering the US on anonimmigrant visa, such as H-1B, TN, L-1, for F-1.  The Proclamation does not bar nonimmigrant visaextensions or transfers.
The Proclamation onlyapplies to all those who are:
  • outside ofthe United States between April 23, 2020 – June 23, 2020; and
  • not inpossession of either a valid immigrant visa or an official travel document,e.g. Advanced Parole; and
  • Not one ofthe categories of immigrants who are exempt from the Proclamation.  

Specificcategories of those seeking to enter the US on an immigrant visa are exemptfrom Proclamation. The exempt groupsare:

  • PermanentResidents of the US;
  • Healthcareworkers and their immediate family members (including those family memberstraveling with the healthcare worker and those family members coming to the USat a later date);
  • Otherindividuals coming to the US to perform work essential to combating, recoveringfrom, or alleviating the effects of Covid-19 and their immediate family members(including those family members traveling with the healthcare worker and thosefamily members coming to the US at a later date). 
  • Spousesand children of US Citizens;
  • EB-5investors;
  • Individualswho are entering to assist law enforcement or who are members of the US ArmedForces;
  • SpecialImmigrants in the SI or SQ Class and their family members; and
  • Any person whose entry isin the national interest of the US as determine by the Secretary of State orSecretary of Homeland Security.

TheProclamation may be extended beyond sixty days if President Trump deems itnecessary to do so.  If you have questionsabout your application and whether you are exempt from the Proclamation, pleasecontact your MU attorney.