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.