Immigration Update – Visa Access in the Age of COVID-19

The U.S. immigration system saw many changes ordered by the Trump administration during 2019, including some that take effect in 2020. As of April 22, a temporarily halt of all immigration, known as the “COVID-19 proclamation” also came into effect, suspending all routine visa services at U.S. embassies and consulates. More changes may be on the horizon. All these changes by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will have a significant impact on the lives of millions of immigrants living legally in the United States.

Immigration Reform, designed to slow legal immigration and strengthen the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to enforce immigration laws, create obstacles in the immigration process for some, and streamline the path to obtain immigration benefits for others.

Our panel will discuss the following topics:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and Department of State restrictions on Visa Adjudication and Practical Effect
●  Current Processing time frames and effect
–  Proposed Changes in L & H visa issuance
–  Green card processing and effect of global economic downturn
–  Can E Visas be an alternative?
–  Work from home and visa constraints, including limitation on time frames allowed, labor condition application/posting notices for new hires, and travel restrictions
●  The US ‘Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak’ issued on April 22, 2020

From the Canadian perspective:
●  Travel restrictions to Canada and exceptions
●  Rules for people wanting to travel to Canada (e.g. documents to bring, quarantine upon arrival, etc.)
●  Special administrative in place (e.g. incomplete files are not refused)
●  Special measures in place for employers (e.g. possibility to lower the salary of foreign workers)

Due to Corona-virus pandemic governments in many jurisdictions have implemented a range of temporary immigration-related measures in order to contain the spread of the virus:
●  Entry or travel restrictions within Europe and the US due to COVID-19
●  Quarantine measures and additional health screening procedures
●  Concessions in the EU due to the temporary closure of consular posts and visa application centers
●  Recommendations regarding business trips in times of the Corona-virus pandemic

SPEAKERS:
●    Francis Tourigny, Partner, EXEO ATTORNEYS
●    Jorge R. Lopez, Shareholder | Chair, Global Mobility and Immigration Practice Group, LITTLER
●    Gerlind Wisskirchen, Partner, CMS
●    Additional panelist to be announced

TIME:
10:00am EST | 4pm CET

REGISTER HERE