USCIS To Reopen and Resume Public In-Person Services on June 4, 2020
USCIS To Reopen and Resume Public In-Person Services on June 4, 2020
USCIS is in the process of reopening some domestic offices on or after June 4, 2020. USCIS had closed all of its field offices to the public on March 18, 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic. As part of its reopening, USCIS will reduce the number of appointments and interviews to allow social distancing, time for cleaning and reduce waiting room occupancy. Applicants with previously cancelled appointments or interviews will receive new appointment notices as well as details on safety precautions to follow. Some of the guidelines include that visitors must wear a mask in any USCIS Facility, to bring own pens, and to reschedule appointments, without penalty, if you are feeling sick. Visitors may not enter the facility more than 15 minutes prior to their appointment (30 minutes for naturalization ceremonies). The following contain appointment type specific guidelines and changes.
Asylum Offices
USCIS asylum offices will automatically reschedule asylum interviews that were cancelled during the temporary closures. Asylum applicants will receive a new interview notice with the new time, date and location for the interview and information about safety precautions. Asylum offices expect to conduct video-facilitated asylum interviews, where the applicants sit in one room and the interviewing officer sits in another room. This may have a profound impact on the emotional effect of applicant’s story when told by an applicant to an interview officer who would otherwise be sitting directly in front of them.
Applicants must continue to bring all immediate family members listed as dependents on the application, and if necessary, an interpreter. An applicant may also bring an attorney, witness, or an individual providing disability accommodations or “trusted adult” if an applicant is a minor.
Naturalization Ceremonies
USCIS will send notices to applicants to reschedule postponed naturalization ceremonies. The ceremonies will be shorter to limit exposure to those in attendance. Only the applicant and individuals providing assistance to disabled applicants can attend the ceremonies. Family will not be allowed to attend.
Interviews and Appointments
USCIS will send notices to applicants and petitioners with previously scheduled appointments and interviews. Those who had other appointments, such as infopass appointments, must reschedule through the USCIS Contact Center. Applicants may be accompanied by one family member, an attorney, and one individual providing disability accommodations. Interpreters will not be allowed to enter. Instead, they will interpret by phone.
Application Support Centers
USCIS will automatically reschedule any necessary ASC appointments that were canceled due to the temporary office closures. Individuals will receive a new appointment letter.
More Guidelines for Entering USCIS Facilities
Visitors will not be allowed to enter a USCIS facility if they show symptoms of Covid-19, including cough, fever or difficulty breathing; been in close contact with anyone known to have Covid-19 in the last 14 days, or have been directed to self-quarantine by a health care provider in the last 14 days.
For more information, please contact our office for a free telephone consultation (15 minute) at 248-557-3645 or visit uscis.gov/visitorpolicy.
Sam R. Saif
Managing Attorney, Immigration Law Department
The Law Offices of Joumana Kayrouz, PLLC
phone: (248) 557-3645 fax: (248) 200-0645
email: sam@joumanakayrouz.com
1000 Town Center, Suite 800 Southfield, MI 48075
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