Trump to Suspend Nonimmigrant Visa (H-1B, L-1, J-1) Entries to U.S.
Extend Blockage on Issuance of Greencards
In an escalation of the Trump Administration’s efforts to restrict immigration to the United States, an Executive Order (“EO”) is expected within the next 24 hours that will include measures to stop all non-immigrant visas entries to the United States as well as the issuance of immigrant visas until the end of the year.
While the details of the measures are still not fully finalized, the Executive Order is expected to contain many of the restrictions that have been anticipated. These include:
– A bar on entrance for holders of H-1B and H-2B visas; as well as L-1 visas for business executives and J-1 visas for teaching and work-exchange programs, until the end of the year. It is not clear if the bar will be in effect until the end of the fiscal year – ending on September 30, 2020 or until the end of the 2020 calendar year. There may be some exemptions but lobbying continues at this late hour to determine how broad or narrow that may be. There is also no clarity as to whether those currently in the United States on these nonimmigrant visas, will be allowed to travel abroad and return.
– A stoppage on the issuance of Greencards, also until the end of the year.
Various business interests are, at this late hour, lobbying for exemptions that support their interests. The administration is supposedly going to continue to allow the Au-pair program (for child-care and household workers) to continue.
As of now, it does not seem likely that those currently in the United States on non-immigrant visas or those who are having their immigrant visas processed will be effected.
The EO is expected to be announced by Monday, June 22, 2020 as the previous EO – which was announced in April is set to expire at midnight today.
We are monitoring this situation closely and will update our clients as soon as we know more.
Please contact USILAW with any questions. You may reach us via email at info@usilaw.com.
