President Trump’s new executive order temporarily suspends the approval of certain green card applications. The order is very narrow, mostly affecting only a small number of people who are now outside the U.S. applying for green cards at consular offices around the world. There are several exceptions, including 1) health care workers and medical researchers and their families, 2) spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens, and 3) individuals whose entry is in the national interest.
Most people filing applications within the United States are not affected by this order. It does not prevent anyone from traveling on advance parole. It also does not affect anyone’s temporary visa status. The order also exempts anyone who is in the United States on the date of the order and anyone who has already received immigrant visas to enter the United States.
This will have very little effect on employment-based immigration.
The order will last 60 days from April 23, 2020 at 11:59pm.