By Tsveta Boeva

President Trump has signed a new Presidential Proclamation, which suspends the entry in the United States of certain immigrants for 60 days, starting from tonight, April 23 at midnight.

Entry in the United States will be denied to any immigrant who – as of tonight – does not have a valid immigrant visa issued prior to the effective date of the proclamation or who does not have official travel document other than a visa (such as a transportation letter, an appropriate boarding foil, or an advance parole document).

The suspension shall not apply to:

– any lawful permanent resident of the United States;

– any alien who is the spouse of a U.S. citizen, or is under 21 years old and is the child of a United States citizen, or who is a prospective adoptee seeking to enter the United States pursuant to the IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications;

– any alien who is an EB-5 visa applicant;

– any alien who is seeking to enter the United States on an immigrant visa as a physician, nurse, or other healthcare professional or to perform medical research or other research intended to combat the spread of COVID-19;

– any alien who is an alien whose entry would further important U.S. law enforcement objectives as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees, based on a recommendation of the Attorney General or his designee;

– any alien who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and any spouse or child of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces;

– any alien who is seeking to enter the United States pursuant to a Special Immigrant Visa in the SI or SQ classification;

– any alien whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees.

The Presidential Proclamation shall not limit the ability of an individual to seek asylum, refugee status, withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, consistent with the laws of the United States.