Yesterday, the Biden Administration announced that it plans to rescind the current geographic COVID-19 related travel bans implemented for foreign nationals traveling from China, Iran, the Schengen Area, U.K., Ireland, Brazil, South Africa, and India and will instead implement a requirement that foreign nationals be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the U.S. While at this time the administration did not provide an exact date of implementation, officials did state that they anticipate this will be in place in early November. We also expect to have further details on what proof will be required and what vaccines will be accepted in early November. If you have any questions, please contact your Graham Adair attorney.
Trump Extends Ban on Certain Immigration Applications
President Trump has extended Presidential Proclamations (P.P.) 10014 and 10052 through March 31, 2021. As previously reported, P.P. 10014 suspends the entry of immigrant visa applicants through consular processing.
P.P. 10052 suspends the entry of certain nonimmigrant visa applicants who have been deemed to present a risk to the US labor market during the economic recovery following the pandemic. Specifically, this suspension applies to applicants for H-1B, H-2B, and L-1 visas; J-1 visa applicants participating in the intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, or summer work travel programs; and any spouses or children of covered applicants applying for H-4, L-2, or J-2 visas.
Please contact your Graham Adair attorney for case-specific advice.
New Guidance on Visa Applications for H-4 and L-2 Dependents
Today, the Department of State (DOS) issued a clarification on the June 22 executive order that restricted entry against those applying for H-1B, H-4, L-1, L-2, H-2B, and J visas. As we previously reported, the executive order impacted individuals currently outside the United States who are waiting for U.S. consular posts to reopen in order to apply for visas in one of the newly restricted categories.
Today’s clarification by DOS alleviates the burden on some would-be visa applicants. Specifically, H-4 and L-2 dependents can apply for and receive visas if their H-1B or L-1 spouse or parent is currently in the United States.
Some families have been separated for months due to the shutdown of U.S. consulates and embassies around the world, and the June 22 executive order appeared to move the finish line out to the end of the year, and potentially longer. But with today’s clarification, some families can now start planning to be reunited in the near future as U.S. consular posts begin the slow process of reopening.
Please contact your Graham Adair attorney with any questions.
Executive Order Suspending Issuance of Immigrant Visas
Today, President Trump signed an executive order that will temporarily halt the issuance of immigrant visas to individuals outside the United States. The order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. on April 23, 2020 and will be in effect for 60 days.
Immigrant visas are permanent residence visas issued to individuals who are outside of the United States when they apply for permanent residence.? The order is very limited in its scope and only appears to halt the consular processing of immigrant visas.? It does not appear to limit the approval of adjustment of status applications for individuals who are currently in the U.S. and in the green card process.? The order only applies to those who are outside the U.S. and do not currently have a valid immigrant visa or other valid travel document.
There are several exceptions to the suspension of issuance of immigrant visas including:
- any lawful permanent resident of the United States;
- anyone 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, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees; and any spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old or any such person who are accompanying or following to join the person;
- any person applying for a visa to enter the United States pursuant to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program;
- any person who is the spouse of a U.S. citizen;
- any person who is under 21 years old and is the child of a United States citizen, or who is a prospective adoptee seeking to enter the United States pursuant to the IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications;
- any person whose entry would further important U.S. law enforcement objectives, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees, based on a recommendation of the Attorney General or his designee;
- any member of the United States Armed Forces and any spouse and children of a member of the United States Armed Forces;
- any person seeking to enter the United States pursuant to a Special Immigrant Visa in the SI or SQ classification, subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State may impose, and any spouse and children of any such individual; or
- any person whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees.
The order directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to advise the President on whether this order should be extended no later than 50 days from now.? Further, they are directed to make other recommendations that the President can take on immigration to help protect U.S. workers.
For the time being, this order will largely not impact the clients of Graham Adair.? If you are going through the consular process for your immigrant visa, this will likely mean a delay in the issuance of the visa.? You should check in with your attorney at Graham Adair for further specifics on your situation.
Trump Announces Plans to Temporarily Stop All Immigration to U.S.
President Trump tweeted late Monday that he will sign an executive order temporarily suspending immigration to the United States. His announcement cited the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the millions who have become unemployed in recent weeks.? There are significant questions that are yet to be answered around this announcement: exactly when and how this will be implemented, who it will cover, and how long it will be in effect.? It does seem to indicate that the President plans to extend immigration restrictions beyond those already in place to travelers coming from most of Europe, China, Canada, Mexico and Iran.
Graham Adair will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates here as they become available.?If you have any questions, please contact your Graham Adair representative.