US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced they are continuing to prepare some domestic offices to reopen and resume non-emergency public services on or after June 4, 2020. Previously, on March 18, USCIS temporarily suspended routine in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS announced in April they were planning on reopening offices in June. The latest information on the status of individual offices can be checked on the office closures page at USCIS.gov. For New York City, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) NYC Chapter was informed that the USCIS District Office at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan will not resume public services on June 4th. The reopen date for New York City is unknown at this time.
As offices begin to reopen and public services begin again, offices will limit the number of appointments and interviews to ensure social distancing protocols, allow time for cleaning, and reduce waiting room occupancy. Appointment notices will contain information on safety precautions that visitors to USCIS sites must follow. USCIS advises that if applicants are feeling sick, they should not go to their appointment and can reschedule when they are healthy. There is no penalty for rescheduling the appointment if the applicant is sick, USCIS advises.
Asylum Offices
USCIS asylum offices will automatically reschedule asylum interviews that were cancelled during the temporary closure during the pandemic. When USCIS reschedules the interview, asylum applicants will receive a new interview notice with the new time, date, and location for the interview and information about safety precautions. In accordance with social distancing protocols, and because of the length of asylum interviews, asylum offices expect to conduct video-facilitated asylum interviews, where the applicants sit in one room and the interviewing officer sits in another room. Asylum offices will use available technology, including agency-provided mobile devices, to ensure that the officer, applicant, interpreter, and representative can fully and safely participate in the interview while maintaining social distancing protocals.
For affirmative asylum interviews, applicants must bring all immediate family members listed as dependents on the application as well as an interpreter, if the applicant does not speak English. Additionally, a representative, witness, individual providing disability accommodations, or “trusted adult” if an applicant is a minor, may attend the interview. For non-detained credible or reasonable fear interviews, individuals must bring any family members listed on the interview notice. Representatives may attend credible and reasonable fear interviews but are encouraged to participate via telephone. USCIS will provide contracted, professional interpreters for credible and reasonable fear interviews.
Naturalization Ceremonies
USCIS will send notices to applicants to reschedule postponed naturalization ceremonies. USCIS notes that the ceremonies may be shorter to limit exposure to those in attendance. Instead of playing videos during naturalization ceremonies, attendees will receive a flyer with information and links directing them to the videos on USCIS.gov. Although the format may be shortened, all legally required portions of the ceremony will take place. Attendance is limited to only the naturalization candidate and any individuals providing assistance to disabled persons.
Interviews and Appointments
USCIS will send notices to applicants and petitioners with previously scheduled appointments and interviews. Those attending appointments should follow the safety guidelines listed below. Those who had other appointments must reschedule through the USCIS Contact Center once field offices are open to the public. USCIS requests that applicants check the office closure page to see if their respective office has been reopened before calling the Contact Center. Visitors are limited to the applicant, one representative, one family member, and one individual providing disability accommodations. Applicants should arrange to have their interpreter available by phone.
Application Support Centers
USCIS will automatically reschedule any necessary ASC appointments that were cancelled due to the temporary office closure. Individuals will receive a new appointment letter in the mail with specific safety requirements. Individuals who appear at a date or time other than what is listed on the ASC appointment notice may encounter significant processing delays, except for military members.
Guidelines for Entering USCIS Facilities
USCIS notes that visitors may not enter a USCIS facility if they:
Have any symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever or difficulty breathing;
Have been in close contact with anyone known or suspected to have COVID-19 in the last fourteen days; or
Have been individually directed to self-quarantine or self-isolate by a health care provider or public health official within the last fourteen days.
USCIS also advises that:
Visitors may not enter the facility more than fifteen minutes prior to their appointment (thirty minutes for naturalization ceremonies);
Hand sanitizer will be provided for visitors at entry points;
Visitors must wear facial coverings that cover both the mouth and nose when entering facilities. (Visitors may be directed to briefly remove their face covering to confirm identity or take their photograph.)
Visitors must pay close attention to any markings and physical barriers in the facility to ensure they follow social distancing guidelines; and
Individuals are encouraged to bring their own black or blue ink pens.
While certain offices are temporarily closed, USCIS continues to provide limited emergency in-person services. Applicants should call the USCIS Contact Center for assistance with emergency services.