As the school year has ended, we find ourselves entering a summer that will be markedly different from previous years. Although the ongoing coronavirus crisis continues to disrupt our lives, it also keeps many of us closer together. Sadly, this cannot be said for many immigrants and their family members, as the Trump Administration continues to use the health crisis as a pretext to keeps families separated and to ruin dreams.
On June 22, 2020, Trump signed yet another Proclamation affecting immigrants. In addition to extending the Proclamation previously issued on April 22, 2020 [1], he suspended the entry of individuals within various nonimmigrant categories, including H-1B [2] and L-1 [3] visa holders. As with the previous Proclamation, there are limits to who will be affected by this Proclamation. For example it will only be applied to those who were outside of the United States on June 22, 2020 without the appropriate visa stamp or authorization in their passport. Additionally, Trump claims that certain individuals are completely unaffected, such as the spouses and children of U.S. Citizens.
When reviewing the Proclamation, it is important to think critically about the reasons Trump gives for its issuance. Despite all of his statements about the importance of the Proclamation in protecting the U.S. economy, the reality is that the Proclamation is completely unnecessary because the U.S. Consulates/Embassies have not reopened. No individuals have been able to obtain any of the visas listed in the Proclamation since the U.S. Consulates/Embassies were closed on March 22, 2020.
One of the most significant portions of this Proclamation is alleged exception for spouses and children of U.S. Citizens. It is a façade because unless they had the luck to obtain their passport stamped prior to March 22, 2020, they are being forced to wait outside of the U.S. The suffering and hardship this is causing for families – parents, spouses, sons, daughters – cannot be measured.
At FitzGerald Law Company, we know first hand the invaluable contributions that the immigrant community makes to the United States economy every day. No matter how much Trump and his allies try to divert attention from his incomparable incompetence and glaring prejudice by scapegoating immigrants, we are here to tell everyone that this cannot stand. In November, we urge everyone to vote for the candidate who will bring us out from the dark shadow of this administration, and will propel us forward to the time when immigrants and other minorities will be treated with the respect they deserve.
If you would like legal assistance with any immigration [4], criminal [5]or personal injury [6] case please call: (617) 303-2600 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced Boston lawyers, or fill out our online appointment request form [7]. As always, FitzGerald Law Company remains committed to defending your rights.