Current Bulletin: Coronavirus and Immigration in the USA

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the rapid spread and transmission of Coronavirus have made it a pandemic. Lockdown orders have been implemented and flights are cancelled and rebooked, all these affected non-immigrant visa holders and some immigrants. 

Here is a thread of update about COVID-19 and immigrations concerns in the US:

May 27: 19,000 employees of USCIS might be affected in the layoff if Congress will not provide a $1.2 billion emergency fund. 

May 26: Brazil is now added to the list of countries that bans travel to the US. 

May 12: HEROES Act, a new COVID-19 relief bill is announced by the House Democrats. This act aims to have remote processes for naturalization ceremonies and other immigration concerns.

April 24: According to USCIS, field offices will resume operations on June 4. 

April 23: Stimulus checks will not be given as Coronavirus relief to US citizens married to immigrants who do not have social security numbers. 

April 22: Executive order limiting immigration in the USA is signed by President Donald Trump. 

April 18: The app Home is is now a COVID-19 helpline for immigrants. New York couples can now be married via video conference. Everything will be processed remotely, even their marriage license. 

April 16: $500 is given as a relief to undocumented immigrants in California. 

April 13: Suspending the public charge rule amidst the COVID-19 outbreak was asked by the states including Connecticut, New York, and Vermont to the Supreme Court. The motion said, “By deterring immigrants from accessing publicly funded health care, including programs that would enable immigrants to obtain testing and treatment for COVID-19, the rule makes it more likely that immigrants will suffer serious illness if infected and the spread of the virus inadvertently to others– risks that are heightened because immigrant makes up a large portion of the essential workers who continue to interact with the public.”

April 3: American Immigration Lawyers Association urged offices involved in immigration concerns to “pause USCIS deadlines and expirations from March 13, the day President Donald Trump declared a national health emergency, until 90 days after the emergency is called off.” A lawsuit was filed against USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security by AILA.

April 1: The offices of USCIS will be closed until May 3. 

March 30: Application Support Centers are still closed however USCIS said that they will continue to process Form I-765 (Employment Authorization Document) extension requests. 

March 22: Immigrants who do not have documents can be tested for COVID-19 without worrying for arrest and deportation, says President Trump.

March 20: Tourism related travel is not allowed to and from Mexico. One can only cross the border if it is for work, school, or medical purposes. Also, wet signatures for documents related to immigration is are no longer needed. Documents maybe faxed, scanned, e-mailed, or whatever is deemed necessary. 

March 18: All routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointments for the USA are cancelled worldwide. The agencies will try to provide services for urgent matters. “Non-essential” travels to and fro the USA and Canada are temporarily not allowed. President Trump mentioned on Twitter that “trade will not be affected.”

March17: Due to the outbreak, USCIS offices are temporarily closed. Their field offices will close on April 1. Instructions will be sent out to applicants with appointments. 

March 16: In Mexico and India, US Embassy and Consulates are suspending their services for immigrant and non-immigrant visa services until further notice. 

In Paris, the US Embassy cancelled immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointments indefinitely. 

March 14: the USA banned travels from Ireland and the United Kingdom, adding them to the list of European countries with travel restrictions. 

March 13: International Exchange programs are temporarily paused by the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA). This is because travels to and from countries that are considered level 2 and 3 risks by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention are banned. 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Seattle Field Office was shut down because of a COVID-19 positive employee, however, it is once again open and resumed its operations on March 11. 

Naturalization ceremonies are being cancelled and postponed by some offices. But if you are pregnant, sick, or over 60, same-day naturalization is available in some USCIS office for you. 

March 11: Travels from some European countries are restricted, these countries include Germany, Italy, and Spain. The travel restrictions only apply to foreigners and not to US citizens, green card holders, spouse or family members of green card holders, or a potential adoptee of a legal and permanent resident from the USA. 

February 29: Entries from Iran are banned by President Trump, except for US citizens and green card holders or those that are legal and permanent residents. 

January 31: All travels or entries from the People’s Republic of China are banned by President Donald Trump, except for US citizens and green card holders or those that are legal and permanent residents. 

If you have more questions, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to assist you with your immigration legal concerns.