Coronavirus News

On the 12th of August, 2020, the U.S. State Department declared National Interest exceptions to Presidential Proclamation 10052, (the U.S. Travel Ban), due to COVID-19. As a result, people can travel as long as it’s determined to be in the National Interest of the country.
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President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation on April 22, 2020 suspending visa issuance to certain immigrant categories initially for 60 days, and then extended until December 31, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic and its impact on the U.S. labor market. This Proclamation does not impact beneficiaries who were present in the United States on April 23, 2020, possessed a valid immigrant visa on April 23, 2020, or who applied for entry to the U.S. on a valid travel document.
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Effective August 28, as it becomes safe to resume more consular operations at each U.S. mission, posts are authorized to give K visa cases high priority. Applicants should check the website of their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for updates on what services that post is currently able to offer. The I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) is typically valid for four months; however, consular officers may revalidate the I-129F petition in four month increments. For most cases impacted by the suspension of routine visa services or COVID-19 travel restrictions it will not be necessary to file a new I-129F petition.
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In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors who are responding to certain:
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On August 12, the U.S. Department of State issued updated guidance regarding the June 22, 2020 Presidential Proclamation. This Presidential Proclamation restricted issuance of visas for H, L, and certain J nonimmigrants. Almost two months later, the Department of State issued updated guidance regarding these restrictions.
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On April 22, 2020, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation that suspended the issuance of visas to certain immigrant categories until December 31, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This Proclamation does not impact those beneficiaries who are currently in the United States,
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On July 24, 2020, ICE issued an update on the Federal guidance for the Fall 2020 semester students which states that the F and M students and schools certified by SEVP should abide by guidance issued in March 2020.

The guidance enables schools and students to engage in distance learning in excess of regulatory limits due to the public health emergency generated by COVID-19. The March 2020 guidance applies to nonimmigrant students who were actively enrolled at a U.S. school on March 9 and are otherwise complying with the terms of their nonimmigrant status, whether from inside the U.S. or abroad. SEVP will not issue a temporary final rule impacting nonimmigrant students for the fall school term.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension of the flexibility in complying with requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, due to COVID-19.

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Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic, Travel Restrictions to the US and now a new virus from swine, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has notified Congress of a massive projected budget shortfall that is threatening the Agency's operations and the financial well-being of thousands of USCIS employees. USCIS, which is primarily funded by application fees, has requested a $1.2 billion dollar bailout from Congress to keep the Agency afloat.
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Effective Date: The Proclamation takes effect on June 24, 2020 at 12:01 AM ET. It will remain in effect through December 31, 2020 and may be continued or modified as necessary.

Background:

On June 20, 2020, President Trump has issued a proclamation that suspends the entry of foreign nationals on certain employment-based nonimmigrant visas into the United States.

This Proclamation also extends, effective immediately, Presidential Proclamation 10014 issued on April 22, 2020 which suspended the entry of certain immigrants into the United States.

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Q: Which visas are affected with the Presidential Proclamation (June 22, 2020)?
A: The Presidential Proclamation announced on June 22, 2020 extends Proclamation 10014 for certain immigrant visa and includes certain H-1B, H-2B, L, and J visa applications. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation- suspending-entry-aliens-present-risk-u-s-labor-market-following- coronavirus-outbreak/

Q: I have an approved (H1B, H2B, J, or L) petition and I'm waiting for my interview. What does this mean for me?
A: Suspension of entry applies to “any alien who does not have a nonimmigrant visa that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation."
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation- suspending-entry-aliens-present-risk-u-s-labor-market-following- coronavirus-outbreak/
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