On April 22nd, President Trump signed an executive order to temporarily halt immigration to the U.S. Trump cites the protection of American jobs and prevention of the virus as reasons to suspend immigration.

The trend of slowing immigration to the U.S has not been a surprise as the Trump administration have stopped travel to the U.S from Europe and China due to Covid-19 concerns. This recent immigration suspension will last up to 60 days. The executive order will only prevent immigrants who do not have a valid immigrant visa or travel document from entering the U.S. Those who have a valid visa or travel document can still enter the U.S. Lawful permanent residents, applicants for the EB-5 investor program, and spouses of U.S citizens are among the many who are exempt from the immigration suspension. The order will not immediately affect nonimmigrant worker programs such as H-1B and L-1. Furthermore, the order will not stop the filing and adjudication of adjustment of status applications.

Although the order will not affect nonimmigrant worker programs in the short term, it does require the Department of Homeland Security and Depart of Labor to conduct a study to assess the impact of these programs on U.S workers. This could result in future restrictions to these programs down the line.

While this executive order has been signed under the reasons of protecting American jobs and lives, many experts say that it is instead a ploy to achieve President Trump’s long standing platform of closing down the borders. Lawrence Gostin, a global health law professor at Georgetown University, stated that the order will not slow down the trajectory of Covid-19 as the U.S has the highest number of cases, and that the order conflates public health policy with immigration policy. Numerous other organizations have also criticized the executive order. To read the executive order, please click here.

Keeping up to date on immigration impacts due to world events, such as the coronavirus, is important especially if you have plans to travel or reside in the U.S under immigrant or nonimmigrant status. Here at Zhang & Associates, we try to keep you informed and ready. By staying on top of the latest immigration news, we can anticipate and solve issues and problems you might face. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any immigration related issue, our seasoned staff will be happy to help. For a free evaluation on your case or situation, please email us at info@hooyou.com.

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Former U.S. Consular officer, Attorney Sechyi Laiu joined Zhang & Associates, P.C. on June 26, 2017

At Zhang & Associates, P.C., Attorney Laiu specializes on Consular Processing cases and business development. Attorney Laiu also focuses on TN visas, E visas, CBP administrative proceedings (monetary confiscation, deferred inspection), and overseas financial compliance.

Prior to joining Zhang & Associates, P.C., Attorney Laiu worked for the U.S. Department of State as a Chinese and Portuguese speaking diplomat. As a consular-coned officer who served in Vancouver (Canada), Shenyang (P.R. China), and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Attorney Laiu processed over 30,000 visa cases and worked in every section of Consular Affairs overseas (Fraud Prevention Unit, Immigrant Visas, Non-Immigrant Visas, and American Citizen Services).

He will use his experience and expertise to deliver the highest quality of service to our clients.

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Founded in 1996, Zhang & Associates, P.C. offers legal services to clients worldwide in all aspects of U.S immigration law. We have successfully handled over ten thousand immigration cases.

At Zhang & Associates, P.C., our attorneys and supporting professionals are committed to providing high-quality immigration and non-immigration visa services. We specialize in NIW, EB-1, EB-5, PERM, I-485 I-130, H-1B, O, L and J cases. In the past twenty-two years, we have successfully helped over ten thousand clients get green cards. If you plan to apply for a green card, please send your CV to Attorney Jerry Zhang (info@hooyou.com) for a free evaluation.

Zhang & Associates, P.C.

Silicon Valley • New York • Los Angeles • Chicago • Houston • Austin • Seattle • Sunnyvale • Madison • Honolulu

Tel:	1-800-230-7040, 713-771-8433
Email:	info@hooyou.com
website:	http://www.hooyou.com

 

(04/23/2020)