USCIS Provided COVID-19 Updates During a Conference Call on June 18, 2020:
- On June 18, 2020, I attended a conference call where USCIS representatives advised the attorneys and public about their new and updated post-Covid19 procedures.
- The purpose of new procedures is to ensure safety of the USCIS personnel, staff, customers and visitors.
- On June 4, 2020, USCIS local field office started to reopen. Offices will reopen depending on situation in the local community and existing safety concerns. USCIS is following CDC COVID-19 guidelines. It is expected that it will take at least several more weeks for the appointments to be rescheduled. Because the number of daily appointments will be significantly reduced, it will result in longer delays and wait time for an interview will be longer than before COVID-19 pandemic.
- July 13, 2020 is an estimate when many ASC will reopen and biometrics will resume. Biometrics appointment will be available ONLY at the time and date in the appointment notice. Walk-ins will not be allowed. There will be much less people scheduled every day, so USCIS will have time to clean up and prepare for the next customer. USCIS will reschedule all cancelled Biometrics appointments unless they are deemed unnecessary. When mailing a new appointment notice, a biometrics worksheet will be mailed too. In the past, it was completed during the appointment. Now, the customers will be required to complete the worksheet and bring it with them to the appointment.
- During pandemic, USCIS was able to reuse some biometrics if they were already on file (taken during previous applications) and the case was ready for adjudication.
- Some USCIS offices (not consular sections) will start reopening in July 2020. It is expected that USCIS office in Rome will reopen in July 2020. It is expected that USCIS London office will be permanently closed.
- Priority number one after reopening of the local USCIS offices will be Naturalization ceremonies.
- Second priority is rescheduling cancelled adjustment of status or green card interviews.
- Some employment-based green card interviews can be waived on a case-by-case basis and only if it is deemed unnecessary.
- It is expected that all cancelled and delayed Naturalization ceremonies will be complete by the end of July 2020 (about 100,000 people are waiting).
- Naturalization ceremonies will be very brief, there will be no big crowds, no family members or friends will be allowed to attend, no video, information will be given in printed format.
- Asylum interviews will follow different format from other USCIS’ field office interviews.
- When attending any USCIS appointment, customers are advised to bring their own blue or black pens, wear a face covering (face mask). People not wearing an appropriate face covering will not be allowed to enter. During the interview or biometrics appointment, customers can be asked to remove face covering for a brief period (to identify, to take photo).
- Customers are advised not to arrive earlier than 15 minutes before an interview, or 30 minutes before naturalization interview.
- Interpreters are not allowed to attend interviews at USCIS offices in person. Interpreters can interpret by phone.
- Attorneys can attend in person or by phone.
- Waiting room sitting will be limited. Number of appointments per day will be significantly reduced. There will be a COVID-19 specific screening for all customers
- Customers and staff will be required to practice social distancing. The USCIS officer and an applicant can be in different rooms communicating via video call.
- USCIS is advising all customers to use online tools for contacting USCIS, and to have online accounts.
- USCIS advises customers who are feeling sick or unwell not to attend the interview, but to follow the instructions in the appointment letter to reschedule an appointment.
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