Rumors are flying that President Trump is likely to issue a proclamation sometime in the next few weeks restricting the entry of certain foreign national workers. At this time, it is unclear the extent of these restrictions and whether there will be exceptions that allow some essential workers to continue traveling to the U.S. It appears that the proclamation may suspend entry for new H-1B, H-2B, L-1B, and certain J-1 exchange visitors for between 120 and 180 days. This could affect those who won the H-1B lottery this year, and plan to arrive in the US for an October 1 start date.
Given the potential for additional travel restrictions based on the new proclamation, it may be advisable for employers to return any employees who hold valid temporary visas to the U.S. should they be needed in the U.S. in the near term.
Miller Mayer immigration attorney Steve Yale-Loehr has coauthored an article forecasting what the proclamation might include.