Presidential Proclamation Suspends Particular Immigrant Visas

On April 22, 2020 the President signed a Proclamation “Suspending Entry of Immigrants who Present a Risk to the US Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak”.  The proclamation becomes effective Thursday April 23, 2020. 

The proclamation will impact foreign nationals that are in the process of applying for an immigrant
visa (green card) through a US consulate outside the US.  The proclamation puts a 60-day suspension on
their entry. 

The proclamation does not directly impact nonimmigrants (in statuses such as H-1B or TN or O1) within the US, nor does it impact their ability to change/extend or obtain nonimmigrant visas to travel. However, the
proclamation does direct government agencies to review nonimmigrant programs and ensure “the prioritization, hiring and employment” of US workers”.

In brief summation, the proclamation only applies to individuals that are outside the US and seeking to enter with a green card.  Please also note that there are limited exceptions to the suspension which include spouses and minor children of US citizens.