Immigration Updates: COVID-19 Restrictions and Disruptions

COVID-19 continues to have far-reaching implications for global mobility and the international workforce in the United States. Polsinelli attorneys are closely monitoring travel restrictions and Department of Homeland Security policy implementations for its impact on workforce mobility and immigration status.

Travel Restrictions

On March 16, the United Kingdom and Ireland were added to the list of countries with entry restrictions to the United States. The travel restrictions, originally enacted on Friday, March 13 for the Schengen area countries is expanded to include the United Kingdom and Ireland. Entry is suspended for most foreign nationals who have been present in one of the countries listed below at any time within the 14 days prior to their scheduled departure to the U.S. As with the initial ban, U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and immediate family members will be exempt from the ban on entry. Travelers should review the restrictions carefully to determine their eligibility for re-entry.

Countries currently impacted by the travel bans include: China, Iran, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

American citizens, legal permanent residents and their immediate family members returning to the U.S. from the countries impacted will be required to travel through 13 airports within the U.S., including:

• Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS) Massachusetts

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) Illinois

• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) Texas

• Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) Michigan

• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) Hawaii

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York

• Los Angeles International Airport, (LAX), California

• Miami International Airport (MIA), Florida

• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey

• San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California

• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Washington

• Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia

The DHS, is advising that all travelers to the U.S. from the impacted countries may be subject to heightened screening and must self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival.

ESTA Warning

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that any traveler with a valid ESTA who is covered under the Presidential Proclamation on travel restrictions and who attempts travel or entry to the United States during this time will have their ESTA authorization suspended. ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States from the 39 visa waiver countries.

USCIS Cancellations and Closures

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced closure of all field offices to the public for the period March 18 to at least April 1. All in-person services will be unavailable during this time. Anyone who has an appointment scheduled during this time, including naturalization ceremonies, biometrics appointments, and final permanent residency interviews, will be rescheduled by USCIS for a later date once normal operations resume. USCIS will continue its non-public facing case processing.

Department of State Consulate Closures and Visa Appointment Cancellations

U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world are actively cancelling visa non-immigrant and immigrant visa appointments. The U.S. Department of State is maintaining a webpage to the embassy and consulate announcements regarding COVID-19 restrictions in each country.