Late yesterday, March 17, 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that, as part of its efforts to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States, it is suspending routine in-person (face-to-face) services with applicants at all USCIS offices until “at least” April 1, 2020. As of now, USCIS has not indicated that there are any changes with regard to its acceptance and processing of immigration applications.
USCIS’s suspension of routine in-person services means that the following interviews or appointments normally conducted at USCIS field offices or Application Support Centers will be canceled and rescheduled:
- Immigration Interviews (I-130, I-485 (Adjustment of Status), N-400 (Naturalization), and Asylum Interviews);
- Naturalization Ceremonies; and
- Biometric Collection Appointments
USCIS has stated that it will continue to provide emergency services during this time and that emergency services can be requested via the USCIS Contact Center.
For immigration interviews, USCIS stated that it will send de-scheduling notices to the affected individuals and that interviews will be rescheduled when USCIS resumes normal operations.
USCIS also stated that it will automatically reschedule biometrics appointments at Application Support Centers due to the office closure, and that affected individuals will receive a new appointment letter in the mail. However, individuals with InfoPass or other appointments at a USCIS field office must proactively reschedule their appointments through the USCIS Contact Center once USCIS offices reopen to the public.
The circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus and its impact on immigration in the United States continue to develop on a daily basis. Please stay tuned for further updates.
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