Dear Howard University Community,

Effective June 29, 2020, the President of the United States signed the executive order “Proclamation on Amendment to Proclamation 10052” restricting foreign nationals from outside of the United States in applying for certain temporary employment/work based visas through the end of 2020. 

This proclamation also extends a 60-day Green Card ban, that was set to expire effective June 24, 2020. The proclamation extends this ban to December 31, 2020.  

The executive order restricts foreign workers that do not hold valid visa stamps to seek entry into the United States (US) pursuant to:

• H-1B (includes dependent family members) 
• H-2B (includes dependent family members) 
• J-1 (intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, summer work travel programs, and dependent family members)
• L-1 (includes dependent family members) with limited exceptions to include: 
  • Foreign Nationals are the spouse or child of a US citizen. 
  • Foreign worker whose entry into the US would be in the national interest as determined by the Secretary of State, Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees.
  • Any foreign worker seeking to enter the US in order to provide temporary labor or services essential to US food supply chains.
  • Any lawful permanent resident of the US.

What Foreign Nationals Are Not Impacted?

• Foreign workers (and accompanying dependent family members) that seek admission into the US in visa classifications other than H-1B, H-2B, J-1 and L-1 such as E-1, E-2, E-3, O-1, P, TN (Canadian and Mexican).

• Foreign workers, including those in H-1B, H-2B, J-1 and L-1 status and their dependent family members may still continue to seek extensions of status and/or applications to change status in the US through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

• The filing and processing of US permanent resident applications (i.e. Application to Adjust Status) have not been impacted by this Proclamation; USCIS may continue to process such applications filed by foreign workers in the US.

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) becomes effective on July 1, 2020. The USMCA replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). While NAFTA is being replaced, the Trade NAFTA (TN) classification for Mexican and Canadian citizens remains in place. No occupation categories have been eliminated or added. We will monitor the implementation of the USMCA with respect to the TN classification and any changes that may impact foreign workers. 

Please Note: Such individuals are still subject to the restrictions based on the various COVID-19 travel bans and restrictions placed on the visa application process due to the closures of U.S. consular posts.  

For any questions related to this proclamation and/or any immigration related matters please contact our Visa & Immigration Office at: 

Office of Human Resources – Visa & Immigration Services 

Email: immigrationvisa@howard.edu

Ph: 202-806-1291

Thanks,

Larry A. Callahan, MA
Associate Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer