Presidential Proclamation Issued: Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak

President Trump just issued a Presidential Proclamation, “Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak,” effective immediately and until December 31, 2020. You can find a summary of this proclamation here.

As it relates to our institution, this will impact:

  • Those currently outside the U.S. without a valid visa stamp and attempting to enter in H-1B status, along with their dependents in H-4 status.
    • A possible exception to this, as it could apply to our population, includes “(iv) any alien whose entry would be in the national interest as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees…. are involved with the provision of medical care to individuals who have contracted COVID-19 and are currently hospitalized; are involved with the provision of medical research at United States facilities to help the United States combat COVID-19; or are necessary to facilitate the immediate and continued economic recovery of the United States.”
  • It does not impact individuals currently inside the U.S. and maintaining their visa status.
  • It does not impact students attempting to enter the U.S.
  • It does not impact those attempting to enter in J-1 status to engage in research at UTHSA. The proclamation mentions J-1 visa holders, but references the J-1 categories of intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, or summer work travel. It does not impact our J-1 exchange visitors, as they are in the research scholar/professor, short-term scholar, alien physician, or college/university student categories.

If you are outside the U.S. at this time without a valid visa stamp to enter in H-1B or H-4 status, you could be affected by this proclamation. Please reach out to us. Otherwise, you should not be impacted at this time.

It is unclear how this will affect Canadian citizens who do not require visas to enter the U.S. In addition, it is not yet clear whether those making short visits to Canada, Mexico or Caribbean islands and who will be availing themselves of automatic visa extension will be affected. **However, as mentioned on numerous occasions, if you are located in the U.S., please do not travel internationally anytime in the near future as a result of these proclamations, limited flight availability, current travel bans related to Coronavirus, among other concerns.**

Please let me know if you have any questions. Siskind Susser, a reputable immigration law firm specializing in healthcare immigration, is offering a Facebook Live video tonight at 7pm CST to summarize the proclamation for those who are interested.

We understand that these proclamations are anxiety-provoking, and are accompanied by the uncertainty related to the pandemic. We are here for you if you need additional support. Finally, the White House may make corrections as agencies weigh in, so we will update you as we receive additional information.

Article Categories: Immigration, News