IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Trump administration has extended the April proclamation until Dec. 31, 2020. President Donald Trump has also imposed further visa restrictions, suspending temporary work visas such as the H-1B through the end of this year.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday limiting immigration into the United States, claiming the measure is necessary to “protect jobs” amid the coronavirus pandemic. The order places a 60-day delay on issuing green cards to certain people applying to come to the United States from abroad.
Boundless calculated that nearly 360,000 green cards will be blocked each year under the new policy.
The proclamation will affect:
- Spouses and minor children (under 21) of green card holders (lawful permanent residents) filing from outside the United States (“consular processing”)
- Parents, siblings, and adult children (21 years and older) of U.S. citizens filing from outside the United States.
- All employment-based green cards except the EB-5 (“immigrant investor”)
- Diversity Visas
The proclamation will not affect:
- Any green card applicant filing from within the United States (“adjustment of status“)
- Spouses or minor children (under 21) of U.S. citizens
- Special Immigrant Visas
- EB-5
- Temporary visas (H1-B visas, student visas, etc.
Learn more about who will be affected by the new policy here.
what does this mean for my green card application?
There is no indication that the government will stop accepting or processing applications, even for the green card categories that fall under the ban. This means that spouses impacted by the ban may still file their green card application, and Boundless will continue to help with yours.
how long will the immigration ban be in effect?
Currently, the order is in place for 60 days starting April 23. The Trump administration will reassess in 50 days whether to extend the ban. We will update this page as we learn more.
IMPORTANT: As always, our customers’ success remains our top priority. Boundless is operating as usual and we will continue to help you complete your green card application, setting you up for immigration success.