June 2020
June 30, 2020New Entry Bans on H-1B, L-1, H-2B and J-1 Visas
This month the Trump Administration signed a new presidential proclamation which effectively suspends the U.S. entry of individuals with a new H-1B, L-1, H-2B and certain J-1 visas. The new order will last through December 31, 2020 and does not affect foreign nationals who were already holding a valid U.S. visa as of June 24, 2020 or those who were already present in the U.S. as of that date.
The new ban adds to the previous entry ban suspending the entry of certain immigrants. Those immigrants who were affected by the April presidential proclamation are now also impacted until the end of the year. The new entry ban also defines certain limited exemptions and waivers including discretionary waivers for those who can prove that their entry to the U.S. would be in the national interest.
If you are currently in the U.S. on an H-1B or L-1 visa, it is important that you contact your immigration representative prior to planning travel abroad.
Supreme Court Rules on DACA
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump Administration violated procedural requirements when it sought to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) program in 2017. Based on the June 18th ruling, the DACA program will remain in place and current DACA recipients can continue to work pursuant to their employment authorization documents. It remains unclear whether the Department of Homeland Security will begin accepting new applications for DACA benefits by those who have not previously been granted benefits nor is it clear whether DACA recipients will be allowed to resume requests for travel permission.