Immigration and Travel Restrictions Webinar

The immigration and travel restrictions put into place around the world during this pandemic have put businesses in difficult positions when it comes to the management of their global workforce. At the same time, many individuals and families have questions about their travel and holiday plans.

On April 22, 2020, President Trump signed the Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak. Prior to this Executive Order, much of the U.S. immigration infrastructure was already closed due to COVID-19. U.S. Consular Posts abroad have been closed since March, which has prevented individuals from applying for visa stamps and certain visas (Blanket L and E-Visas) permitting them to travel to the United States. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) closed local offices until the beginning of June. Additionally, expansive travel restrictions for individuals traveling from Europe and China have also made it difficult, if not impossible, for U.S. visa holders to travel to the United States.

Moreover, President Trump announced that he wants to put additional immigration restrictions in place, asking his administration to propose new measures by May 22, “appropriate to stimulate the U.S. economy and ensure the prioritization, hiring, and employ of United States workers.”

At the same time, the European Union also took measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Since March 16, all non-essential travels to the E.U. are restricted. EU-citizens, long-term residents and their family members can travel to Europe to return to their homes, as well as certain travelers “with an essential function or need”. De facto, all visa activity is suspended until June 15, and trans-Atlantic air traffic shrunk by 90% since mid-March. Anyone arriving in the U.S. or Europe, also has to self quarantine for two weeks at home.

Teri A. Simmons is a partner at Arnall Golden Gregory in Atlanta, Georgia, where she has practiced for over 29 years. Arnall Golden Gregory employs 170 attorneys at its offices in Atlanta, Georgia and Washington DC. She directs the International Practice Group which focuses on the holistic representation of multinational owned companies in the US in the areas of corporate, employment, litigation, tax, intellectual property and immigration law. She manages companies’ global immigration needs through the support of the Employment Law Global Alliance, as well as both U.S. immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing for businesses and families (temporary work visas and green cards) and the immigration consequences of mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Simmons also serves as an Adjunct Professor for Business Immigration Law at the University of Georgia School of Law. Full bio here.

Michael Cerulus is the deputy head of mission at the Consulate General of Belgium in Atlanta. Before joining the Belgian foreign service in 2017, he was trained as a human rights lawyer and policy advisor, both for civil society organizations and for the government. He has ten years of experience in the field of migration, equality and non-discrimination. At the Belgian consulate, he oversees the consular section and reports on relevant political developments in the Southeast of the U.S.

This webinar is free (zoom) but registration is required.