In the weeks following the outbreak of COVID-19, a virus that President Trump has dubbed “the Invisible Enemy,” the United States’ Government reacted by imposing a number of travel restrictions on foreign nationals entering the United States from various affected countries. As reported in the March edition of CS Global Partners’ Visa-Free Digest, as far as Europe is concerned, President Trump suspended travel to the United States from the 26 Schengen Area member states and later extended the suspension to the United Kingdom and Ireland. Entry restrictions were also imposed on citizens of China and Iran. Later in March, the United States suspended all routine visa services at United States embassies and consulates worldwide.
In full, Mr Trump’s tweet read: “In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!”
The White House has yet to comment.
Mr Trump’s tweet comes at a time when the United States, and New York, in particular, is considered to be the place where the outbreak is most severe. Despite the travel restrictions already imposed, the United States has registered over 787,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infections, and more than 42,000 deaths – the highest official death toll reported.
How does this update affect me?
President Trump has not released further details regarding his temporary ban on immigration, and as such, the breadth of the proposed ban, and the resulting number of programmes affected, remains unclear. Whether the President will follow through with the Executive Order remains to be seen.
How can I find out more?
Please contact CS Global Partners for more information.
