On April 22, 2020, former President Trump signed Proclamation 10014 temporarily suspending the entry of certain immigrants into the United States in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 22, 2020, former President Trump signed Proclamation 10052 continuing Proclamation 10014 issued on April 22, 2020, and suspending the entry of certain nonimmigrants. On December 31, 2020, former President Trump issued a proclamation continuing Proclamations 10014 and 10052 until March 31, 2021.
On February 24, 2021, President Biden rescinded Presidential Proclamation 10014 which prohibited the entry of certain immigrants into the United States due to possible harm to economic interests due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With President Biden’s February 24, 2021 order, the immigrant visa ban has now been revoked. However, at this time Presidential Proclamation 10052 suspending the entry of nonimmigrant workers for the same reasons remains in place. With the rescission of Presidential Proclamation 10014, the Department of State provided instructions to visa applicants who were previously subject to the ban on entry due to PP 10014. The Department of State has also updated its guidance related to National Interest Exemptions (NIEs) for individuals subject to Presidential Proclamation 10052; eligibility requirements for NIEs appear to be unchanged, however.
The geographic COVID-19 related Presidential Proclamations 9984, 9992, and 10143, which suspend entry into the United States of foreign nationals who have been physically present in the People’s Republic of China, Islamic Republic of Iran, Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Brazil, and South Africa, in the 14-day period before seeking entry into the United States, remain in effect, with limited exceptions.
The attorneys at Curray York & Associates will continue to closely monitor potential changes to the COVID-19 related travel bans, and provide updates when possible. For specific questions, please contact our office to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.
