Updated 02/02/2021
Disclaimer: Any foreign national considering international travel should have an attorney review the particular circumstances of their case as there are currently several “bans” in effect.
It is not yet known whether the Biden Administration intends to keep COVID-19 geographic travel restrictions or the visa issuance bans in place long-term, or, if the bans are lifted, how the Embassies will process visas given COVID-19 safety restrictions. More executive actions are expected in the coming days.
Executive Actions:
On February 2, 2021, President Biden signed three Executive Orders establishing a taskforce for reuniting families separated at the border, reviewing asylum and related polices at the border, and ordering agency reviews of Trump immigration policies.
On January 25, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order titled “Ensuring the Future is Made in All of America with All of America’s Workers,” which, among other provisions, revokes the previous administration’s “Buy American and Hire American” policy which caused nonimmigrant visa petitions and applications to be heavily scrutinized, resulting in denials and “Requests for Evidence” (RFEs) as well as additional impediments added to existing applications, such as the “public charge” rule changes.
On January 20, 2021, the Biden Administration issued several Executive Actions related to immigration, including but not limited to:
Protecting DREAMers and creating a pathway to citizenship (memorandum is here);
Reversing the Muslim ban and ordering U.S. Embassies and Consulates to issue visas to applicants who were otherwise eligible for issuance but for the Muslim ban (text of order available here);
Revocation of certain interior enforcement policies, including USCIS’s NTA issuance policy and ordering a 100-day pause on certain removals/deportations (Executive Order is here; DHS memorandum is here); and
Stopping border wall construction (text of Presidential Proclamation is here).
Additional Executive Actions related to immigration are expected in the coming days.
Regulatory Freeze: On January 20, 2021, the White House Chief of Staff issued a regulatory freeze memo pausing any “midnight” regulations from taking effect until the incoming Administration is able to review them. In addition, many regulations proposed by the prior administration were never finalized and will not go forward, including H-4 EAD rescissions, biometrics requirements for U.S. citizen sponsors, elimination of duration of status for students, exchange visitors, and media, and additional affidavit of support requirements.
CDC to Require Negative COVID Test for ALL U.S. Air Arrivals Starting 1/26/2021: In a CDC order issued January 12, 2021 and taking effect January 26, 2021, airlines will be required to deny boarding to the U.S. to anyone who refuses a test or cannot produce negative test results (or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19) within 3 days of the planned flight. The testing requirement applies to all entries, including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents, even if testing is not readily available in the location where the traveler is departing from. U.S. Embassies will not be available to provide/arrange testing. On January 21, 2021, the Biden Administration ordered a 14-day review of travel policies as they relate to COVID.
COVID Travel Ban for Europe, China, Iran, Brazil, and South Africa: On January 25, 2021, President Biden issued an Proclamation keeping the geographic COVID bans in place, and adding South Africa to the list of banned areas (because of the new COVID variant there), at least through the 14-day review period mentioned above.
U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021: On January 20, 2021, the Biden Administration posted a Fact Sheet for a bill that President Biden sent to Congress. The bill calls for, among other things:
A pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals physically present in the U.S. on or before January 1, 2021 (including certain previously removed/deported persons) including a temporary status with ability to apply for a green card (permanent residency) in five years, and three years thereafter, to file an application for citizenship;
Reforming the family-based immigration system, including clearing backlogs, using unused visa numbers, increasing per-country caps, eliminating the three- and ten-year bars, among other provisions; and
Reforming the employment-based immigration system, including clearing backlogs, reducing processing times, eliminating per-country caps, make it easier for STEM graduates to remain in the U.S., provide work authorization for H-4 spouses, etc.
At this time, this is merely a bill and must be passed into law by Congress to have any effect.
Reminder: Changes are rapidly evolving and may not be immediately posted here.
© Jewell Stewart & Pratt PC 2021