USCIS resumes face-to-face services

USCIS resumes face-to-face services

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As of June 4, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS, resumed non-emergency face-to-face services to the public. However, there are some important details to take into consideration if you need to go personally to one of the facilities.

Earlier this year, the coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak in the United States led to offices closing their doors to keep the spread of the virus and the USCIS announced that they would only be working on emergency and special cases. However, since the economy has been reopening all over the world, they have now decided to open their doors to the public again but with specific safety precautions.

As the USCIS have explained on their website, you will not be allowed to enter a facility if you:

• Have any symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever or difficulty breathing;
• Have been in close contact with anyone known or suspected to have COVID-19 in the last 14 days; or
• Have been individually directed to self-quarantine or self-isolate by a health care provider or public health official within the last 14 days;
• Refuse to wear facial coverings.

Additionally, every visitor may not enter the facility for more than 15 minutes prior to their appointment, and 30 minutes if it is a naturalization ceremony. Also, hand sanitizer will be provided to every visitor at entry points.

You will need facial coverings before to enter a USCIS facility

To enter a USCIS facility, you will be required to wear facial coverings that cover both your nose and mouth. If you do not have one, the USCIS will provide one for you or you may be asked to reschedule your appointment, so be prepared before your meeting!

It is also very important to keep an appropriate social distance. The USCIS has added physical markings and barriers to which visitors need to pay close attention to. Additionally, they may be requested to answer certain health screening questions before entering the building.

Walk-in visits are not allowed at this moment

The USCIS is not accepting walk-in visits at this moment, so be sure to have a scheduled appointment before arriving at the office and bring your own black and blue ink pens. 

You should also consider that the USCIS has decided that to limit the number of people in the waiting room, applicants with scheduled appointments may only be accompanied by:

• An attorney;
• An interpreter;
• A parent, legal guardian or a trusted adult, if the applicant being interviewed is a minor;
• Immediate family members listed as dependents on the application or interview notice; and
• An individual assisting a disabled person.

In naturalization ceremonies, guests will not be allowed to be present, unless it is an individual providing assistance to a disabled person. For more information, check the USCIS visitor policy and the list of office closings. 

It is very important that if you are feeling sick, you do not visit a USCIS facility. There is no penalty for rescheduling an appointment if you are not feeling well. Take into consideration that not all field offices are open so be sure to check with your local USCIS field office to make sure it is.

Contact an immigration attorney in San Diego, California if you need guidance regarding your immigration status. Kannan Law is ready to help, so schedule an appointment us today!