Dissect this section of the exemption to EO

[Holdanna 8]

(ii)    any alien seeking to enter the United States on an immigrant visa as a physician, nurse, or other healthcare professional; to perform medical research or other research intended to combat the spread of COVID-19;

or to perform work essential to combating, recovering from, or otherwise alleviating the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees;  and any spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old of any such alien who are accompanying or following to join the alien;

 

 

Let's take a stab at this:

 

Does this section mean that the alien coming "to perform medical research or other research intended to combat the spread of COVID-19;

or to perform work essential to combating, recovering from, or otherwise alleviating the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak" HAS TO BE A PHYSICIAN, NURSE, OR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL?

 

To me, as a grammar nerd, and punctuation nerd, and understanding the differences between semi colons, commas, and colons, it can be interpreted that everything AFTER the word "professional" DOES NOT mean the alien needs to be a physician, nurse or other healthcare professional, but can apply to "any alien seeking to enter the US on an immigrant visa"

 

[arken 4,197]

Agreed, it’s debatable and i believe each CO will interpret it differently. Can a spouse of LPR, currently in some health industry or with health education, can immigrate under F2A (currently on the ban list) if he/she says they will devite their time in fighting this virus as soon as they land in the US? Only the CO can tell.

Edited April 23, 2020 by arken

[Holdanna 8]

That's EXACTLY what I am thinking...