In the coming days or weeks, the Trump Administration is expected to issue an executive order further tightening immigration requirements to enter the U.S. in response to the pandemic and resulting economic pressures. The order is anticipated to include a bar on entry into the U.S. by L-1, H-1B, H-2B, and J-1 non-immigrants for several months. As with other recent orders on immigration, there will likely be many exemptions, including workers in healthcare and food-related industries. Visa holders currently in the U.S. are not expected to be impacted by the new order.
In addition to the bar on entry for a period of time, there is speculation that the Administration is planning additional measures to tighten H-1B requirements and impose a potential fee increase to $20,000.
Recommendations from our immigration partners include immediately having all workers who may be impacted return to the U.S., as entry restrictions may have an immediate effect; and filing extension and all other applications as early as possible since pending or approved applications may not be impacted by the order. If you have any questions please reach out to us at contactus@whrg.com.