As noted in a prior client alert, on Friday, March 20, 2020, the secretary of Homeland Security began to temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Canada and Mexico into the United States at land ports of entry, limiting travel to "essential travel." The temporary restrictions were in effect until April 20, 2020. Homeland Security has ordered that they remain in effect through May 20, 2020.
In making this decision, the notice explains that the secretary is monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and response. As of April 19, the notice cites more than 2.2 million confirmed cases globally, with more than 152,000 confirmed deaths. Of these, it cites more than 720,000 confirmed cases in the United States, more than 32,000 in Canada and more than 6,800 in Mexico.
This notice is separate and apart from the president's recent announcement in the last few days regarding immigration, where he announced on Twitter a decision to suspend immigration as a move to protect U.S. jobs. That decision is expected to be outlined in an executive order that is expected initially to be in effect for 60 days. At the time of this writing, that order has not been issued, but it is expected to block green card recipients but continue to allow temporary workers on non-immigrant visas to enter, such as seasonal farm laborers.
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