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COVID-19 UPDATE
BMK Group

The quickly evolving COVID-19 public health emergency has had an undeniable impact on daily life worldwide. Barst continues to monitor these unfolding events and assessing issues that may impact our clients. Through this website, the firm will provide ongoing updates concerning such impacts including travel restrictions and related protocol, agency closures, and immigration benefit compliance concerns. Clients should contact their Barst attorney with any questions regarding the impact of COVID-19 on immigration status and benefits. General inquiries or requests to set up a consultation may be made using info@bmkllp.com or by calling (212) 686-3838.

Halt on Travel from Certain Countries:

The United States has implemented travel restrictions barring individuals who were physically present in the following countries within the fourteen days preceding their attempted entry into the United States:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • China, People’s Republic of (excluding Hong Kong and Macau)
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Iran
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom

*Please note that the travel restrictions above are based on travel to the affected countries, not nationality or citizenship of the affected countries.

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents are not restricted from returning to the U.S. but may only arrive at specific airports and may be subject to medical screening upon return. Spouses, parents, children, and siblings (under 21) of U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents are also able to return to the U.S. with proof of the familial relationship. Please see the most recent Presidential Proclamation for further exceptions to the travel restrictions: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-coronavirus-2/.

The designated airports referenced above are:

  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
  • Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California
  • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Washington
  • Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hawaii
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), California
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia
  • Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia
  • Newark-Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey
  • Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas
  • Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Michigan
  • Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Massachusetts
  • Miami International Airport (MIA), Florida

Maintenance of Status:

Certain individuals may be unable to depart the United States before their current period of admission will end because of COVID-19 related issues including ongoing airline cancellations. Barst attorneys are available to consult with you to assess what options may be available so that you are not considered to have failed to maintain lawful status.

Employees Working Remotely due to Voluntary Quarantine or Temporary Company Policy:

Many employers have questions about any impact that may arise as a result of its workforce working remotely. Work location and compensation will often impact individuals’ immigration statuses, and such issues must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. A Barst attorney is available to consult with individuals and employers.

Cancellations and Delays:

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Field Offices, immigration courts, and Department of State posts worldwide are continuing to curtail services and are postponing many interviews, court hearings, and similar appointments. As any definitive agency-wide policy is made available, we will update this webpage with relevant information.

Please review the following links for additional COVID-19 resources:

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