Reopening of Some USCIS Offices on June 4

USCIS has begun the process of reopening offices and conducting appointments and interviews again. Some offices are scheduled to open on June 4th, 2020. This includes field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers.

USCIS will send out notices rescheduling interviews, biometrics, naturalization ceremonies, and asylum interviews. Applicants and petitioners should look out for them in the mail. All other appointments need to be rescheduled through the USCIS contact center when the respective office opens.

Applicants should expect altered procedures at the offices when they go to their appointments. Precautionary measures will be taken to avoid crowding and to practice social distancing. Some appointments will be shorter than usual, such as the naturalization ceremony which will not show the usual video in an assembly. Also, telecommunication will be incorporated in asylum interviews, with the officer in one room and the applicant in another.

There will also be limits on who can accompany the applicant. Asylum applicants should follow the interview notice and bring only listed family members as instructed. Naturalization ceremonies will only allow those assisting with disabilities to accompany applicants. Similarly, applicants attending appointments generally can only bring one representative, one family member, and one person to help with disability accommodations.

Anyone waiting for a reschedule will find further instructions with their new appointment notice.

Some general rules apply to all appointments. Anyone entering a USCIS facility must wear a mask. They also cannot enter until within 15 minutes of their appointment time, or 30 minutes for naturalization ceremonies. Also, if you are feeling sick with COVID-19 symptoms, it would be best to reschedule your appointment. There is no penalty for doing so.

Note that not all USCIS offices will reopen on June 4th. For examples, New York and New Jersey offices are expected to have different opening schedules.  It is advised that applicants consult the USCIS website to find out if a specific office is open before going there.

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule legal consultation.)