Entry of New Immigrants into the United States Suspended!
On yesterday, April 22, 2020, U. S. President Donald J. Trump signed a proclamation temporarily suspending the entry into the United States of certain new immigrants in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The main objective of the proclamation is to protect American workers – 22 million of whom have lost their jobs due to the outbreak of COVID-19 – against possible competition from newly-arriving immigrants as it relates to the job market.
A secondary reason cited for the issuance of the proclamation is to avoid additional strain on the U.S. heath care system – in favor of U.S. residents – during such an unprecedented health crisis.
The proclamation which has a lifespan of 60 days – and may be continued if necessary – is due to come into force tonight, April 23, 2020, at 11:59 pm Eastern Daylight Time.
The proclamation will apply to immigrants outside the United States, including Diversity Visa applicants.
There are however a number of exemptions. Notable among them are physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals, along with their spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old, seeking to enter the United States to perform relevant research or other work essential to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the full text of the proclamation HERE.
