Trump Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic Executive Order

President Trump’s Executive Order – What Clients Should Know

Note: The Executive Order takes effect at 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on April 23, 2020.

On April 20, 2020, President Trump tweeted that he will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States as a result of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

During a press briefing on April 21, 2020, President Trump announced: “This order will only apply to individuals seeking a permanent residency, in other words, those receiving green cards.” He noted that the order “will not apply to those entering on a temporary basis” and that “the pause will be in effect for 60 days” with the possibility of a later extension or modification.

The Executive Order just issued is not as severe as threatened. Here are the highlights:

Highlights of the Order

The suspension and limitation on entry shall apply only to individuals who:

(i) are outside the United States on the effective date of this proclamation;

(ii) do not have an immigrant visa (or Green Card) that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation; and

(iii) do not have an official travel document other than a visa (such as a Re-entry Permit or Advance Parole) that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation

This will NOT apply to:

(i) any lawful permanent resident of the United States (Green Card Holder);

(ii) any person seeking to enter the United States on an immigrant visa as a physician, nurse, or other healthcare professional along with spouse and minor children;

(iii) any person applying for a visa to enter the United States pursuant to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program;

(iv) any spouse of a United States citizen;

(v) any person under 21 years old and is the child of a United States citizen;

(vi) any person whose entry would further important U.S. law enforcement objectives;

(vii) any member of the United States Armed Forces and any spouse and children of a member of the United States Armed Forces;

(viii) any person seeking to enter the United States pursuant to a Special Immigrant Visa in the SI or SQ classification;

(ix) 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.

Keep in Mind

  • Routine visa services at all U.S. embassies and consular posts around the world have been suspended as of March 20, 2020. U.S. embassies and consulates continue to provide emergency visa services as resources allow.
  • S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has temporarily suspended in-person services through at least May 3, 2020, including in-person interviews and biometrics processing. USCIS staff will continue to perform duties that do not involve contact with the public and will provide emergency services for limited in-person situations.
  • The U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico are closed for non-essential travel until at least May 20, 2020.
  • Despite these limitations, USCIS continues to accept and process applications and petitions, including applications requesting an extension or change of status.

Fiction

  • There will NOT be a complete halt on immigration. We continue to submit and USCIS continues to process all applications in the U.S.
  • There will not be a halt on processing immigration applications for Green Cards for those currently in the U.S.

What Our Office Is Doing

We are closely monitoring the situation and here to answer our clients’ who might be affected by the Executive Order. Please continue to contact Law Offices of Neil J. Sheff at (310) 446-3844 or email us at info@sheffimmigration.com for any questions.

Neil J. Sheff Visas, Green Cards, Citizenship. Immigration Attorney
+310 446 3844 OR +310 496 1644