President Trump Promises Temporary Suspension of Immigration into the United States

The issue

President Trump announced in a tweet late Monday that he would sign an executive order temporarily suspending immigration into the United States, as a means of combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and protecting U.S. jobs. Details of the promised suspension – including its effective date – were not immediately disclosed.

The scope of the promised executive order – including whether it will affect immigrant and nonimmigrant visa issuance, foreign national entry through U.S. ports, or immigration benefits processing within the United States – is not yet known. According to some reports, the order is not expected to make significant changes to existing Trump Administration policy. It will reportedly contain exemptions for agricultural and healthcare workers, but it is not yet known whether there will be further exemptions or waivers from the suspension.

The Administration has already instituted several immigration measures in its response to the pandemic, including bans on travel from China, Iran, the European Schengen Area, the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as restrictions on nonessential travel through the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico land borders.  Most visa services at U.S. consulates have been under suspension since mid-March, as have in-person services at USCIS local offices and Application Support Centers.

Fragomen is closely monitoring developments in the wake of the President’s announcement and will issue further client alerts as new information becomes available.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.