As the COVID-19 virus and the U.S. response develops, there are important updates to immigration policy. Please see the following links and updates, this page will be updated as we learn further information.
General Information:
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has direct guidance and information on COVID-19.
Travel / Department of State
The CDC has a list of travel restrictions for Foreign Nationals traveling from affected areas.
COVID-19 Restrictions on U.S. visas and consulates.
The Department of State announced Suspension of Routine Visa Services.
U.S. and Mexico Temporarily Restricting Non-Essential Travel Across the Southwest Border.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS)
USCIS has guidance on its response to COVID-19.
USCIS Offices will be closed through at least May 3rd
Resources for F and J visa holders can be found here.
USCIS Announces Temporary Suspension of Premium Processing for All I-129 and I-140 Petitions.
USCIS Announces Flexibility in Submitting Required Signatures During COVID-19 National Emergency.
Information on Extending Your Stay for Nonimmigrants please see USCIS and for People in J-1 Programs.
USCIS COVID-19 Public Charge Notice (Language(s): English and Spanish) USCIS will not consider COVID-19 testing, treatment, or preventive care (including a vaccine if a vaccine becomes available) as part of a public charge inadmissibility determination, even if paid for by a public benefit like Medicaid.
Public Charge FAQS COVID-19 (Language(s): English, Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese)
Resources for Undocumented Immigrants
Tangible Support for Undocumented Communities (Language(s) English, Spanish, and Chinese)
Healthcare Access for Undocumented Immigrants. Though undocumented individuals are typically not eligible for health insurance, there are many free/low-cost clinics that serve the uninsured.
ICE Will Not Make Arrests at Hospitals “ICE does not conduct enforcement operations at medical facilities, except under extraordinary circumstances. Claims to the contrary are false and create unnecessary fear within communities. Individuals should continue to seek medical care.”
Miscellaneous Resources
Congressional Research Service Report about immigration-related eligibility requirements for two types of benefits established by the CARES Act: (1) the tax credits/rebates; and (2) the various forms of federally funded unemployment insurance benefits
Leave and Benefit Rights in Massachusetts: Know Your Work-Related Rights During the Coronavirus. In English, and in Spanish. This document is actively being updated.
Public Charge and the Coronavirus: Information on Unemployment for Immigrants
The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration has updated its Best Practices with resources on what colleges and universities should know about immigration in the time of COVID. They also have resources from their COVID briefings available here.
H-1B Visa Considerations Amid The Coronavirus Shutdown: Matthew Kolodziej, of Jia Law Group, discusses H-1B considerations including layoffs, unpaid leave, working from home, and more.
The National Immigration Law Center has a guide on frequently asked questions on immigrant worker’s rights and COVID-19.