Presidential Proclamation Bars Entry of Certain Work Visas

On June 22, President Trump issued a "Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak." This proclamation suspends the entry of the following visa categories and their dependents: H-1B, H-2B, J-1 (only: intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, summer work travel), and L-1 visa. This suspension takes effect at 12:01 am on June 24, 2020.

This applies to any individual seeking entry in these visa categories who:

  1. is outside the United States on the effective date of this proclamation;
  2. does not have a nonimmigrant visa that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation; and
  3. does not have an official travel document other than a visa (such as a transportation letter, an appropriate boarding foil, or an advance parole document) that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation or issued on any date thereafter that permits him or her to travel to the United States and seek entry or admission.

This would not affect anyone who already has a valid visa by June 24, whether they are inside or outside the U.S. It also would not affect those who have a valid advance parole document (allowing for travel outside the U.S.) by June 24. This does not affect J-1 student visas, which include the following categories: student bachelor's, student master's, student doctorate, student non-degree, and student intern.

The proclamation also instructs the the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Homeland Security to consider individuals "who have been admitted or otherwise provided a benefit, or who are seeking admission or a benefit, pursuant to an EB-2 or EB-3 immigrant visa or an H-1B nonimmigrant visa," and to take action if such individuals pose a disadvantage to American workers.

This proclamation extends to December 31, 2020.

Read full proclamation.

Posted in Immigration, J-1, Visa and tagged .