4/22/2020 – Executive Order Suspending Entry of Certain Immigrant Visa Holders
Thursday, April, 23rd, 2020 COVID-19 Employees Immigration News and Updates
Update: On June 22, 2020 President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation that extended the order discussed below until December 31, 2020.
April 23, 2020
Dear Members of the Tufts Community:
As a follow-up to our previous message from April 21, we are writing to alert you to a Presidential Proclamation issued by President Trump last evening, announcing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend for sixty (60) days the entry of certain persons holding US immigrant (permanent resident) visas issued after April 23, 2020.
The restrictions do not currently apply to non-immigrant visa holders - including F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and H-1B temporary workers - nor does it affect current permanent residents, persons already holding valid travel documents issued prior to the Executive Order effective date, as well certain others, including medical professionals related to the COVID-19 pandemic response. In addition, the Executive Order only applies to the entry of persons into the US. It does not restrict applications and filings from within the US to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for various immigration benefits, including applications for permanent residence, changes or extensions of status, or temporary employment authorization.
For a complete list of restrictions and exceptions, follow the link above for the Presidential Proclamation attached to the Executive Order. At present, these restrictions are not expected to have significant impact on current Tufts international students, scholars, and employees on non-immigrant visas, or on employees currently in the US in the process of adjusting to permanent resident status. However, the 60-day suspension may be extended and the Order mandates further government study of non-immigrant visas and their impact on current economic and labor market conditions. Accordingly, the International Center will continue to monitor developments and make announcements as needed through our web site at https://icenter.tufts.edu and other appropriate channels.
For information, please contact Andrew Shiotani at Andrew.Shiotani@tufts.edu.
Sincerely,
Andrew K. Shiotani
Director, Tufts International Center