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Immigration Updates as a Result of COVID-19
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</h3><h4><i>by <a href=”http://discuss.ilw.com/articles/articles/393293-article-immigration-updates-as-a-result-of-covid-19-by-david-h-nachman-esq-michael-phulwani-esq-and-ludka-zimovcak-esq#bio”>
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David H. Nachman, Esq., Michael Phulwani, Esq. and Ludka Zimovcak, Esq.
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<p>
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a variety of government
policies introduced that impact U.S. immigration-related government
functions. These policies are everchanging as a result of the unpredictable
nature of COVID-19. However, the below list includes a summary of the
recent changes that will impact immigration policy across the U.S. We
advise all clients with travel plans over the next three months to closely
monitor travel restrictions as these restrictions have been changing with
little-to-no notice. Our firm will continue to provide up to date
developments regarding the COVID-19 restrictions and policy changes.
</p>
<ol start=”1″ type=”1″>
<li>
<strong>Changes to USCIS:</strong>
All USCIS Offices will be closed to the public for public services
until at least April 1, 2020. This includes USCIS Field Offices, Asylum
Offices, Application Support Centers, and Naturalization Oath
Ceremonies. In the event of an emergency, USCIS is providing emergency
services through their Contact Center.
</li>
</ol>
<ol start=”2″ type=”1″>
<li>
<strong>Changes to Immigration Court:</strong>
Access to courts is limited and all Master Calendar Hearings scheduled
until at least April 10 have been rescheduled across the country. It is
likely that this will apply to Individual Calendar Hearings as well in
the coming days. As of March 18<sup>th</sup>, all non-detained hearings
have been postponed in Atlanta Peachtree, Charlotte, Houston Gessner,
Louisville, Memphis, New York City (Broadway and Federal Plaza),
Newark, Sacramento, and Los Angeles Olive Immigration Courts until at
least April 10.
</li>
</ol>
<ol start=”3″ type=”1″>
<li>
<strong>Changes to Consular Offices:</strong>
Many consulates are suspending non-emergency visa services. For any
emergent travel needs, please refer to your consulate’s guidance
regarding emergency visa appointments.
</li>
</ol>
<ol start=”4″ type=”1″>
<li>
<strong>Travel Restrictions:</strong>
</li>
</ol>
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<li>
Travel Bans
</li>
<ol start=”1″ type=”i”>
<li>
President Trump issued a proclamation on <u>March 11, 2020</u>
restricting travel to the U.S. for individuals who traveled to
the Schengen Area (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland) in the last 14 days. This was
later extended on March 14, 2020 to include the United Kingdom
and Ireland. Please note that this ban is in addition to
existing travel bans from Mainland China (January 31, 2020) and
Iran (February 29, 2020).
</li>
</ol>
</ol>
</ol>
<ol start=”4″ type=”1″>
<ol start=”1″ type=”a”>
<ol start=”2″ type=”i”>
<li>
The following are exempt from the travel ban:
</li>
<ol start=”1″ type=”1″>
<li>
U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents;
</li>
<li>
Spouses of U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents;
</li>
<li>
Parents or legal guardians of U.S. Citizens of Lawful
Permanent Residents, provided that the child is unmarried
and under the age of 21;
</li>
<li>
Siblings of U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents,
provided both are unmarried and under the age of 21;
</li>
<li>
Children who are under the legal custody of U.S. Citizens
or Lawful Permanent Residents; and
</li>
<li>
Other certain foreign government and health officials
</li>
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</ol>
</ol>
</ol>
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<ol start=”1″ type=”a”>
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<li>
Those exempt from the travel bans and are traveling to the U.S.
will be redirected to one of 13 designated airports: JFK, ORD,
SFO, SEA, HNL, LAX, ATL, IAD, EWR, DFW, DTW, BOS and MIA.
</li>
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<ol start=”1″ type=”a”>
<ol start=”4″ type=”i”>
<li>
The President has explained that on April 11, 2020, officials
will reassess COVID-19 travel bans.
</li>
</ol>
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<ol start=”4″ type=”1″>
<ol start=”2″ type=”a”>
<li>
ESTA Cancellation for Individuals Attempting to Circumvent Travel
Bans
</li>
<ol start=”1″ type=”i”>
<li>
Travelers with valid ESTA who are subject to the travel bans
and attempt to travel to the U.S. in violation of the travel
ban will have their ESTA cancelled. Should ESTA be cancelled,
applicants will be permitted to reapply in the future.
</li>
</ol>
</ol>
</ol>
<ol start=”5″ type=”1″>
<li>
<strong>ESTA Extensions (Satisfactory Departure): </strong>
Individuals admitted under VWP/ESTA through JFK or Newark Airports and
are unable to depart the U.S. before their current period of admission
will end due to issues related to COVID-19 can contact the Deferred
Inspections office at JFK Monday-Friday from 9 AM until 4 PM to request
Satisfactory Departure for up to 30 days. Please note that this only
applies to those individuals whose period of stay will expire in 14
days or less from the day he or she contacts Deferred Inspections.
</li>
</ol>
<p>
If you should have any questions or need more information about the ways in
which the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Laws may impact you, your
family, your friends or your colleagues, please contact the U.S.
Immigration and Nationality Lawyers at the NPZ Law Group – VISASERVE – U.S.
Immigration and Nationality Lawyers by e-mailing us at info@visaserve.com
or by calling us at 201-670-0006 (x107). You can also visit our Law Firm’s
website at
</p>
<a href=”http://www.visaserve.com/”>www.visaserve.com</a>
</span>
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About The Author<br/>
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<p>
<a><b>David Nachman, Esq. </b></a>is one of the Managing Attorneys at the Nachman Phulwani Zimovcak (NPZ) Law Group, P.C., a pre-eminent International Immigration and Nationality Law Firm dedicated to providing a wide array of business and family immigration law services for skilled U.S.-and Canada-bound workers. The Attorneys in our Law Firm assist clients with waivers, marriage cases, citizenship applications, I-130 sponsorship for family, etc.</p>
<p>
<a><b>Michael Phulwani, Esq. </b></a>is admitted to practice law in New York and India. He has been practicing law for about 40 years in the field of US Immigration and Nationality Laws. He has successfully handled many complex immigration matters with the Immigration and Naturalization Service and Consular Processing cases at American Consulates abroad and especially in India.</p>
<p>
<a><b>Ludka Zimovcak, Esq. </b></a>is a Managing Attorney at NPZ Law Group, PC. Mrs. Zimovcak’s passion for excellence in immigration law derives from her own family’s first-hand immigration experiences. She is fully licensed to practice as an Attorney in Slovakia and New York.</p>
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