Ban on Green Card Applicants

In February, President Biden revoked a previous presidential proclamation that suspended the admission of certain immigrants into the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The prior ban applied to all family-based preference categories except for immediate relatives who were applying for permanent residence worldwide.

The Migration Policy Institute estimated that the restrictions prevented over 26,000 immigrants a month from obtaining green cards since April 2020 when the ban was first implemented.

The presidential proclamation was issued by the Trump administration last year to protect the labor market during the COVID-19 pandemic and was set to expire on March 31, 2021. President Biden revoked the proclamation early on the basis that it has prevented family reunification and harmed U.S. businesses that rely on international talent.

The Biden administration has left in place a different proclamation that suspends the entry to the United States of certain nonimmigrant visa applicants. This proclamation was enacted shortly after the novel coronavirus outbreak and was continued until March 31, 2021.

Do you have this new information or any other immigration question? Call today to schedule a consultation with an experienced immigration attorney.