Immigration Suspension Executive Order - MEGA THREAD

[Derek Scheyer 83]

President Donald Trump said Monday that he is temporarily suspending immigration to the United States in response to the coronavirus pandemic and the "need to protect jobs."

 

In a tweet Monday night (April 20th), the president attributed the suspension to an "attack from the Invisible Enemy" and the "need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens."

 

Highlights (updated as of 4/21 28am PT, 2020)

 

• President Donald Trump said he will sign an executive order temporarily suspending immigration into the United States. It could come as early as Tuesday.
• The order will include exemptions for migrant farmworkers and immigrant healthcare workers, particularly those treating coronavirus patients, The Wall Street Journal reported.
• Immigration into the US has already ground to a near-halt due to the coronavirus pandemic, and it's unclear what immediate effects Trump's order would have.

 

Anybody have any other news or opinions on this? Do you think it would have an effect on K1 fiance or spouse visas?

 

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-says-he-suspending-immigration-over-coronavirus-need-protect-jobs-n1188416

 

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-suspend-immigration-executive-order-coronavirus

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52363852

 

https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-immigration-order-to-include-farm-healthcare-exceptions-2020-4

 

[geowrian 22,335]

No movement on fiancé or spousal visas appears to even be on the table at this time. Changes to other categories have been brought up, but they have all been DOA...getting both houses and the POTUS to agree on immigration just isn’t realistic anytime soon.

 

Edit: This comment was originally posted almost a day prior to the tweet referenced above, for a different proposal than what is noted.

Edited April 22, 2020 by geowrian

[Cilllah 470]

I hope there isn't a pause. I just want to be with my fiance.

[JacobP 185]

Immigration could hardly be "more paused" than what it currently is for most of us here.

[millefleur 5,035]

Immigration is currently "paused" because many Embassies and USCIS are not conducting in-person services at this time. So, yes, that aspect of immigration is "paused" until further notice.

[Duke & Marie 1,389]

I think if anything, it will be focused on employment based visas not spousal given the state of the economy right now, it’s kind of hard for employers to say they need foreign workers unless in a highly specialised field

[nativeson 47]

2 hours ago, Duke & Marie said:

it’s kind of hard for employers to say they need foreign workers unless in a highly specialised field

 

Cue Corporate America whining that they can't find workers when 22 million Americans are unemployed. The H1B and OPT programs should be canceled outright.

[Highmystic 234]

22 hours ago, Derek Scheyer said:

Anybody have any other news or opinions on this? Do you think it would even happen or if it would have an effect on K1 fiance or spouse visas?

 

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/majority-of-people-in-us-believe-mass-immigration-is-a-threat-to-the-country-poll

From   Twitter,    @realDonaldTrump

In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!

 

31.3K

7:06 PM - Apr 20, 2020

[Lecterme88 19]

4 minutes ago, Highmystic said:

From   Twitter,    @realDonaldTrump

In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!

 

31.3K

7:06 PM - Apr 20, 2020

Im freaking out.....this guy is going off the rails man! this is cruel!

[Googoobuggy 4]

5 minutes ago, Highmystic said:

From   Twitter,    @realDonaldTrump

In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!

 

31.3K

7:06 PM - Apr 20, 2020

I wanna cry

[Montrealy 73]

Why isn’t this whole site exploding? Any details on this-spousal vs. work visas, whether people currently mid process are affected, etc.? Can’t seem to find anything...

[geowrian 22,335]

Nothing wrong with the idea of H-1B and similar programs. That's how we bring in a lot of very qualified talent to the US...including jobs that US residents just are not equipped for right now and are in demand today. Not everybody wants to spend 4-7+ years studying (H-1B requires a 4 year degree) in a profession they aren't interested in. The number of unemployed computer engineers, doctors, etc. is pretty few and far between.

 

The issue is the implementation, which has permitted broad abuse of the program via both US and foreign agencies to fill seats, and the too-often rubber stamping that some companies (or their hiring agencies) receive.

They have - at least anecdotally - kicked up scrutiny of the prevailing wage requirement in the recent couple years. Although renewals tend to skate by still IMO.

They have not, IMHO, addressed the issue of being unable to find a worker locally. Far too often this is breezed over.

[AnneA 72]

8 minutes ago, Highmystic said:

From   Twitter,    @realDonaldTrump

In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!

 

31.3K

7:06 PM - Apr 20, 2020

If that's the case I want our fees returned asap

[millefleur 5,035]

1 minute ago, Montrealy said:

Why isn’t this whole site exploding? Any details on this-spousal vs. work visas, whether people currently mid process are affected, etc.? Can’t seem to find anything...

This news came out just today. It hasn't been signed yet, we're all kind of in the dark here. As this article states: "It was not immediately clear when or how the order would be carried out."

 

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/20/trump-suspend-immigration-coronavirus-197755

 

Hopefully some clarification will come to light soon. I'm not really sure how this "protects jobs" right now since a bunch of people are laid off/can't work because everything is closed.  

[Khevinox 11]

what about those, ready to travel with already a  CR1 VISA issued?