Most USCIS services have been halted due to coronavirus. Here’s what immigrants can do
Most immigration regular services in the United States have been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) temporarily suspended all in person-services at its field offices, asylum offices and Application Support Centers. On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security agency extended the offices closure until at least May 3.
The temporary office closure affects tens of thousands of individuals awaiting immigration benefits such as extensions of status, work permits, green cards and U.S. citizenship through naturalization — including those who have interview appointments, biometric services and naturalization ceremonies.
USCIS has announced, however, that it will reuse previously submitted biometrics in order to process valid Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization extension requests due to the temporary closure of Application Support Centers to the public in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are some useful immigration tips that USCIS sent to el Nuevo Herald:
Consult the agency’s virtual assistant
Her name is “Emma,” and she’s the agency’s bilingual computer-generated virtual assistant, capable of answering specific questions and guiding users in the search for information. According to USCIS this tool can do the following:
▪ Instantly answer questions about immigration services.
▪ Navigate the agency’s web page.
▪ Find information based on questions and search terms, without the need to use the government’s legal terminology.
Read more: Green cards are only available to immigrants who fall under one of these categories
Create a USCIS online account
The online account — which can be opened on https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov — offers a secure way for immigrants and foreign nationals to submit applications and review their status as the process moves along.
This tool allows non-citizens to file forms, submit the evidence or proofs supporting the application, respond to requests for supporting evidence, verify the status of the applications and pay the required fees with credit or debit cards.
Gather documents for immigration processes
According to USCIS this is a good time to start gathering documents such as birth certificates, diplomas, marriage certificates, etc., that each immigration benefit requires for the application process.
Update your address with USCIS
The DHS agency recommends updating an applicant’s address to ensure that immigrants receive “all correspondence and benefits from us in a timely manner and avoid possible delays related to your case.”
Foreign nationals can update their address through this website or by filing Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card.
Read more: Immigrants can now apply for U.S. citizenship and green cards online. Here’s how.
Submit immigration forms online
These USCIS recommendations guide petitioners in the process of applying for immigration benefits. The following immigration forms can be submitted online:
▪ I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
▪ I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
▪ I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
▪ N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings
▪ N-400, Application for Naturalization
▪ N-565, Application for Replacement of Naturalization/Citizenship Document
▪ N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship
▪ N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322
▪ G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative
Read more: These are the five worst mistakes immigrants make when applying for U.S. citizenship
What can I do if my visa expires and I cannot travel back to my country?
Foreigners with non-immigrant status who are stranded in the U.S. can request a status extension, filing Form I-539 online with the applicable fee before the Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record expiration date granted upon entry to the U.S.
“At this time, due to the extraordinary circumstances of COVID-19, we expect for USCIS to favorably adjudicate extension of status requests, since we are currently facing a global pandemic,” said immigration attorney Adriana Kostencki, partner at Nelles Kostencki, PLLC.
Foreign nationals who want to extend their stay can file Form I-539 online if they have the following types of non-immigrant visas:
▪ B-1 temporary visitor for business
▪ B-2 temporary visitor for pleasure
▪ F-1 academic student with a specific status expiration date
▪ F-2 spouse or child of an academic student with a specific expiration date
▪ M-1 vocational student
▪ M-2 spouse or child of an M-1 student
If you need help, these are the official instructions to fill Form I-539.
Read more: Here’s a fast and easy way for foreign visitors to extend their stay in the U.S.
More flexibility for immigration papers
Benefits petitioners who have to respond to a Request for Evidence (RFE), a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) or certain Notices of Intent to Revoke (NOIR) and Notices of Intent to Terminate (NOIT) issued by USCIS will have more time to do so, the agency said recently.
“Any response to an RFE, NOID, NOIR, or NOIT received within 60 calendar days after the response due date set in the request or notice will be considered by USCIS before any action is taken,” the agency explained.
How to contact USCIS during closure
USCIS will continue to provide limited emergency services during the coronavirus crisis.
Individuals needing assistance with an immediate immigration need can call the USCIS Contact Center toll-free 1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (TDD) or visit the agency’s Contact Us page.
Read more: Immigrants facing deportation don’t always have to leave the U.S. Here’s what they can do
Daniel Shoer Roth is a journalist covering immigration law who does not offer legal advice or individual assistance to applicants. Follow him on Twitter @DanielShoerRoth or Instagram. The contents of this story do not constitute legal advice.
Read more about legal and immigration issues in Spanish at AccesoMiami.com
This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 4:47 PM.
