Executive Order Suspending Immigrant Visa Entry to the U.S.

Executive Order Suspending Immigrant Visa Entry to the U.S.

Dear International Students and Scholars,

We are writing to provide you with information on a new Executive Order (the Proclamation) signed by President Trump yesterday.  We hope that this information is helpful to you. Please know that we understand that this is an uncertain and challenging time, and that our offices are here to support you in any way that we can. The Proclamation narrowly restricts certain persons who are outside the U.S. and have immigrant visas (permanent visas issued by US Consulates after 4/23/2020 from entering the United States. The restrictions do NOT apply to Nonimmigrant visas, including B, F, J, H, E, TN or O visas.

Proclamation Details
On April 22, 2020, the White House released the Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak.

Effective Date:  April 23, 2020 at 11:59pm Eastern Daylight Time

Duration:  60 days from the Effective Date – until June 22, 2020.  The Proclamation can be extended.   

Scope:  The Proclamation suspends entry to the U.S. for 60 days of foreign nationals with an immigrant visa issued by U.S. Consulates after 4/23/2020, and who are:

  • Outside the United States on the effective date of the proclamation;
  • Do not have an immigrant visa (issued by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate) that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation; and
  • Do not have an official travel document, other than a visa (such as a transportation letter, an appropriate boarding foil, or an advance parole document) that is valid on the effective date of the Proclamation or issued on any date thereafter that permits travel to the U.S., and seek entry or admission in Immigrant status.

The Proclamation does NOT currently apply to Nonimmigrant visa statuses, including:  F student, J Exchange Visitor, H-1B, TN, O, E-3 temporary professional workers, and other Nonimmigrant status.

This Proclamation does NOT apply to individuals already inside the U.S.

The Proclamation also does NOT apply to the following:

  • U.S. Citizens;
  • U.S. lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders);
  • Any alien seeking to enter the United States on an immigrant visa as a physician, nurse, or other healthcare professional; to perform medical research or other research intended to combat the spread of COVID-19; or to perform work essential to combating, recovering from, or otherwise alleviating the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees; and any spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old of any such alien who are accompanying or following to join the alien;
  • Any alien applying for a visa to enter the United States pursuant to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program;
  • Any alien who is the spouse of a United States citizen;
  • Any alien who is under 21 years old and is the child of a United States citizen, or who is a prospective adoptee seeking to enter the United States pursuant to the IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications;
  • Any alien whose entry would further important United States law enforcement objectives, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees, based on a recommendation of the Attorney General or his designee;
  • Any member of the United States Armed Forces and any spouse and children of a member of the United States Armed Forces;
  • Any alien seeking to enter the United States pursuant to a Special Immigrant Visa in the SI or SQ classification, subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State may impose, and any spouse and children of any such individual; or
  • Any alien whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees.

MIT continues to work closely to support our students, scholars, and all members of the MIT community during this difficult time. We understand the concerns and uncertainty that these changes in U.S. immigration policy create as you pursue your work, research or academic program at MIT.

As additional information becomes available, we will post updates on the MIT Major Immigration Updates & Alerts, International Students Office (ISO), and International Scholars Office (ISchO) News web pages.

The MIT Administration, faculty, and staff are here to support you, and we encourage you to reach out to us if we can be of any assistance.

Sincerely,

Penny Rosser
Director, MIT International Scholars Office
http://web.mit.edu/scholars/

David C. Elwell
Associate Dean and Director, MIT International Students Office
http://iso.mit.edu

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