President Trump announced at an April 21 press conference that he would sign an executive order temporarily suspending certain individuals seeking permanent resident (green card) status in the United States. The president is expected to sign the suspension order this week, and its scope appears to be limited only to green card applicants at this time.

Contrary to earlier reports, the immigration suspension order will not apply to individuals entering the U.S. on a temporary work or other visa. The immigration suspension will not apply to essential immigrant workers, such as those working in the healthcare sector who are seeking permanent resident status and their family members. Beyond that, the scope of the suspension and which specific agencies and programs will be affected are not known. The immigration suspension order will be in effect for 60 days but may be extended.

This Alert is based solely on reports about the draft executive order. Duane Morris attorneys are closely monitoring the situation and will provide more information as soon as it becomes available.

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Duane Morris has created a COVID-19 Strategy Team to help organizations plan, respond to and address this fast-moving situation. Contact your Duane Morris attorney for more information. Prior Alerts on the topic are available on the team’s webpage.

For More Information

If you have any questions about this Alert, please contact any of the attorneys in the Immigration Law Group, any member of the COVID-19 Strategy Team or the attorney in the firm with whom you are regularly in contact.

Disclaimer: This Alert has been prepared and published for informational purposes only and is not offered, nor should be construed, as legal advice. For more information, please see the firm's full disclaimer.