Special Announcement Regarding President Trump’s 6-22-2020 Order Restricting Immigration
On June 22, 2020, President Trump signed an executive order further restricting legal immigration into the US.
WHAT DOES THIS ORDER DO?
President Trump extends his April 22, 2020 order, which has paused many immigrant visas (green cards) processed at US consulates abroad, until the end of the year. President Trump also added additional restrictions for certain work visa issuance and entry into the US through the end of 2020. The order states that it can be extended further if needed. President Trump cites COVID-19 related unemployment rates as the justification for this order. However, business leaders and experts have urged that losing skilled workers, innovators and entrepreneurs will do more harm to economic recovery and the ability to do business in the US than help.
WHO IS AFFECTED BY THIS ORDER?
This order suspends and limits for those seeking to enter the US with the following non-immigrant visas:
H-1B or H-2B visa (and their accompanying spouse and children);
J visa, to the extent the individual is participating in an intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, or summer work travel program, and (and their accompanying spouse and children);
L visa (and their accompanying spouse and children);
The proclamation only applies to those who are outside the United States on the effective date of this proclamation and who do not have a valid visa or travel document as of the effective date of this proclamation.
WHO IS EXEMPT FROM THIS ORDER?
See our prior blog for exemptions to the April 22, 2020 order on immigrant visas.
The following persons are exempt from the new restrictions related to the non-immigrant work visas:
US lawful permanent r