President Trump Expands Ban on Employment Visas and Extends Previous Executive Order

On Monday, the Trump administration announced it is suspending some categories of employment visas for foreign workers. The ban is effective June 24, 2020, and it remains in effect through December 31, 2020.

The president’s executive order suspends the entry of foreign nationals and their family members currently without issued U.S. employment visas who are outside the United States in the following categories:

• H-1B – Non-immigrant Professional Workers in a Specialty Occupation
• H-2B – Non-immigrant Temporary Skilled Workers
• L-1 – Non-immigrant Intra-Company Transferees
• J-1 – Non-immigrant Foreign Exchange Workers

The proclamation from the president will not impact foreign nationals already in the U.S. or people outside the country who have already been issued a valid visa. It also doesn’t apply to lawful permanent residents, spouses or children of a U.S. citizen, people seeking to provide temporary work essential to the U.S. food supply chain, nor individuals “whose entry would be in the national interest.”

Additionally, the proclamation extends the president’s prior executive order issued on April 22 that suspends certain immigrant visa categories, which also is now effective through December 31, 2020. The details explaining the EO issued in April can be read in this related post, “U.S. Executive Order Ceases Immigration for Many Applicants During COVID-19 Crisis.”

Please note that all travel rules still apply regarding COVID-19. Foreign nationals should speak with their attorneys before making travel plans.

If you have any questions or need immigration assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Widerman Malek immigration team. We are here to help you.

For the official “USCIS Statement on Presidential Proclamation,” please click here.