Migrating in the middle of a pandemic
As of January 20, 2021 the government has made a Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Non-Immigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus Disease, meaning the entry of people coming from the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Federative Republic of Brazil, and the Republic of South Africa will be restricted and suspended.
The following could enter the country: any lawful permanent resident of the United States; any noncitizen national of the United States; any noncitizen who is the spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; any noncitizen who is the parent or legal guardian of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident is unmarried and under the age of 21; any noncitizen who is the sibling of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that both are unmarried and under the age of 21; any noncitizen who is the child, foster child, or ward of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or who is a prospective adoptee seeking to enter the United States; any noncitizen traveling at the invitation of the United States Government for a purpose related to containment or mitigation of the virus and any noncitizen traveling as a nonimmigrant pursuant to a nonimmigrant visa as a crewmember or any noncitizen otherwise traveling to the United States as air or sea crew.
Also, any noncitizen seeking entry into or transiting the United States as a foreign government official or immediate family member of an official), employee of TECRO or TECO or the employee’s immediate family members, as a nonimmigrant in a NATO categories; any noncitizen who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and any noncitizen who is a spouse or child of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces; any noncitizen whose entry would further important United States 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; or any noncitizen whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their designees.
Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to affect any individual’s eligibility for asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under the regulations issued pursuant to the legislation implementing the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, consistent with the laws and regulations of the United States.
Valentina Ramírez