COVID-19 has brought a number of closures that may delay the processing of different immigration cases. Here is a summary of the closures:
U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES (USCIS):
Effective March 18, 2020, USCIS, the agency that reviews family petitions, adjustment of status, affirmative asylum, and naturalization applications (to name a few), has suspended all of its in-person activities until April 1, 2020. What does this mean for you? This means that if you had a naturalization ceremony, a family-based petition interview, a Biometric appointment (fingerprinting), an adjustment of status interview, or any other scheduled appointment at USCIS, between now and April 1st, it is effectively postponed. You should be receiving a notification by mail in the near future of a rescheduled date. You can also check the status of your case on the USCIS website. For more information on USCIS Field Office closures, go here: https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-response-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19.
Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR):
Effective March 18, 2020, all immigration court hearings for non-detained individuals are POSTPONED between now and April 10, 2020, due to the nationwide closure of the majority of Immigration Courts. If you or a family member (who is not detained by ICE) has a scheduled court date in immigration court for any matter during the closure, it will be rescheduled. The new date may not reflect on the automated EOIR system so please contact an attorney if you have questions regarding your new court date. It should be noted that all DETAINED CASES will continue as scheduled. For more information on the EOIR closure, you may go here: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/eoir-operational-status-during-coronavirus-pandemic
ISAP-ICE
There have been no closures pertaining to ISAP-ICE. If you or a loved one has an ankle monitor and is scheduled to report to ISAP, it is your obligation to attend your check-in appointment. If you are feeling sick and are unable to attend, please contact the ISAP office by phone as soon as possible to verify what is the best course of action.
