Will Trump’s Most Recent Presidential Immigration Proclamation Affect You? Maybe.
What happened?
On Monday, June 22, 2020, President Trump signed a new presidential immigration proclamation. Limiting entry into the United States for certain types of non-immigrant temporary workers in response to the economic impact of COVID-19.
Will this impact me or my business?
It might – but only in limited circumstances.
First, the proclamation only impacts those under the following visa types:
H-1B – Temporary Foreign Worker in a Specialty Occupation
H-2B – Temporary or Seasonal Non-agricultural Worker
J – Exchange Visitor Visa
L – Intracompany Transferee
It also applies to all dependents of the primary visa holder.
Second, the proclamation only impacts those who are outside the United States without a valid visa. For anyone who is currently in the United States, or outside the United States with a valid unexpired visa. The proclamation will not apply to you.
Ok, bottom line it. What do I need to do?
If you or your employees are on one of the above visa types and are inside the United States, this proclamation does not impact you. There is also no impact on people who have petitioned for the H-1B lottery this year who are inside the United States. No further action is needed.
If you or your employees are outside the United States with a valid unexpired visa or one of the visa types above. You can still return to the United States on your valid visa. Other than making the trip to come back to the United States, no further action is needed.
If you or your employees are outside the United States waiting for a visa interview to acquire a visa to enter the United States in one of the above case types, or if you have applied for an H-1B for a potential employee who is currently outside the United States, please contact our office so that we can discuss further options.
If you are contemplating leaving the U.S. for an international trip and you are on one of the above case types. Please contact our office before taking your trip. Significant travel delays due to future COVID-19 outbreaks could make a currently unexpired visa, expired by the time you’re able to come back to the United States. If you have more information or have additional questions feel free to contact us we are happy to help.