Intervention Categories: International travel measures; Legal and policy; Regulatory change
Level of Jurisdiction: Federal
Overview: The White House announced a 60 day pause on immigration and green card issuance for 60 days through a Presidential Proclamation. The Proclamation bans the entry of non-citizens into the United States as immigrants.
The policy went into effect at 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time on April 23, 2020. The proclamation is set to expire after 60 days but can be extended.
The policy excludes non-citizens who are already in the U.S., lawful permanent residents, or those who have an immigrant visa or permit that is valid at the time of the policy’s enactment. The policy also does not apply to non-citizen spouses and children under 21 years old of non-citizens already in the U.S.
The policy does not apply to non-citizens seeking to enter the U.S. with an immigrant visa as a healthcare professional or to perform work related to the fight against COVID-19.
Exemptions also include the military, Special Immigrant Visas in the SI or SQ classification, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, or those who would promote national interests as determined by the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Full details here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspending-entry-immigrants-present-risk-u-s-labor-market-economic-recovery-following-covid-19-outbreak/