Rocio Villalobos 
RGV – In effort to combat the high unemployment rate the U.S. is experiencing under this pandemic and prevent further COVID-19 cases, President Trump has issued a proclamation to suspend the issuing of visas to foreign nationals.
The order, which took effect on April 22 and will last 60-days does come with a few exceptions and does not affect those already in the U.S.
“For spouses of U.S. citizens, children of U.S. citizens, they can still apply for the immigration benefits. For other people, certain work visas, like people who work in agriculture, they’re also eligible to apply, in theory, come into the U.S. on those work visas. Everyone else, if you’re a brother of a U.S. citizen, a parent of a U.S. citizen, in theory, those people cannot proceed with their immigration benefits at this time.”
Tinoco says the order is already posing a challenge for some of his clients, but hopes when it is lifted and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices reopen in June, they will be able to proceed as before.
“Where it’s impacting us right now is with people who had their appointments already set up or were about to be interviewed. Those appointments have been canceled and we don’t really know when they’re going to reset them.”
With its exceptions on issuing visas to certain people and given the circumstances of the country, Tinoco believes it is an overall sound order, but says if it is extended “longer than necessary” lawsuits against the administration are sure to come.
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