Restrictions on work visas, except visas for the agricultural sector

The global Coronavirus pandemic forced governments around the world to implement emergency measures to mitigate the impact of the crisis.

One of the measures implemented by the current administration of the US was to suspend the issuance of most work visas, at least until 2021. These visas are for qualified foreign workers that greatly benefit sectors such as technology, science, research, inter alia.

With this decision, the president intends to protect local workers and reduce the current unemployment rate.

The only work permits that are not affected by the economic crisis are those that benefit the US food supply chain. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Food Transportation.
• Foreign agricultural workers.
• Food supply to local markets.
• Food packaging industry.

Thus, thousands of farm workers have come to the US during the current juncture and have continued with the important task of providing food to the tables of American families.

Local farms continually host foreign workers who keep the country’s food supply chain active and stimulated.

Do you have a Business Immigration case? Motion Law’s team of experts can advise you.

Farm workers and the global pandemic

Recently, multiple testimonies from foreign farm workers have come to light regarding the increase of positive COVID-19 cases on American farms.

Normally, employers must offer food and lodging to agricultural workers, so in many cases they sleep in large rooms that can fit between 7 to 9 farmers.

Therefore, because the tendency of the Coronavirus is to be easily transmitted through human contact, the outbreak has been massive on the country’s farms.

The current fear of agricultural workers is that if they catch the COVID-19, they would have to be in mandatory isolation for at least 14 days and because the food industry must be continuously active, they could lose their jobs and might have to leave the US.

Many of them are the only livelihood for their families abroad or have agreements with local employers to work in exchange for other benefits.

Therefore, dozens of agricultural workers ask the government for help so that employers offer them protective supplies and they can continue to plant and harvest the food for the local population.

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Do you have a pending immigration case?

It is important to understand that multiple immigration policies have changed since the arrival of COVID-19 in the US. Therefore, if you have a pending immigration case or if you plan to start your immigration journey soon, the best alternative is to seek reliable help.

It is better to protect your immigration application and avoid precarious situations for you and your family. Our team of expert attorneys can advise you on your immigration case, whether it is family, business, deportation, appeal, waiver, visa extension, inter alia.

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.