March COVID-19 Update
As valued ImLaw clients and colleagues, we want to update you on our response to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) as well as the immigration legal impacts of the virus to date. Our top priority is the health and well-being of our clients, employees, and their families. While ImLaw will continue to monitor this unprecedented situation and operate uninterrupted (we may work remotely and adjust appointments and work schedules accordingly), we are immediately implementing the following actions until further notice:
All clients and consultees to avoid any face-to-face meetings and exchanges of documents at our office whenever possible;
All clients to send documents and information electronically to ImLaw through email or secure portal (we use pCloud and Dropbox);
If electronic submission is not possible, clients may drop off documents in our secure drop box outside next to ImLaw's front door at 4117 Embassy Dr. SE.
Impact of Virus on Employees Beginning to Work from Home or Other Location
Employers should be aware that there can be legal implications for employees on temporary work visa statuses such as H-1B if they begin working remotely from home or a site different than the location indicated on the certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) and petition submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For H-1B workers, if the new work location is located within the same Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and within reasonable commuting distance, additional notifications to the government should not be required. However, for some workers, the change in work location may require the employer to prepare and file new documents with DOL and/or USCIS. Please contact the ImLaw team with any questions on this issue.
Travel Ban on Foreign Nationals Arriving from China, Iran, the Schengen Area, and the UK
Pursuant to Presidential Proclamations 9984, 9992, and 9993, foreign nationals arriving from China, Iran, the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, and Ireland are prohibited from entering the United States if they have been physically present in these areas within 14 days prior to their entry or attempted entry. The travel bans remain in effect until terminated by the President.
The Schengen Area includes the following 26 European countries:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
On March 14, 2020, the European travel ban was expanded to include the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Please note, U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents (also known as green card holders), spouses and certain family members of U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents are EXEMPT from the travel bans. However, pursuant to a notice published on March 13, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will require exempt individuals to travel through one of 13 airports upon arrival to the U.S., submit to an enhanced entry screening in which they will be asked about their medical history, current medical condition, provide contact information for local health authorities, and self-quarantine for 14 days in their homes and monitor their health according to Center for Disease Control (CDC) best practices once they reach their final destination.
As always, please contact the ImLaw team by email or phone with any questions.