A MESSAGE FROM ALL OF US AT HARLAN YORK & ASSOCIATES:
We are working remotely during these trying times to make sure we can still support you in your immigration process. Please know you can call us or schedule online appointments for any of your immigration needs.
HERE ARE THE UPDATES RE: CORONAVIRUS & IMMIGRATION
- Immigration requesting you reschedule any appointments if you feel sick.
- USCIS is requesting you reschedule any immigration appointments
- Some USCIS offices are closing.
- Immigration is saying they will help you reschedule without penalty when you are better.
The Corona Virus has impacted people’s lives and the economy around the world. Even faster than it’s spreading, businesses are shutting, and people are in self-quarantine in many countries.
How has this impacted the Immigration Service?
[Note that this blog post is NOT referring to the Immigration Courts which have postponed all non-detained aliens’ master calendar hearings scheduled from March 16 through April 10, 2020.]
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: USCIS HAS SUSPENDED ALL FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS
To protect our workforce and to help mitigate the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in our communities, effective immediately, USCIS is suspending all routine face-to-face services with applicants of all of our offices, including all interviews and naturalization ceremonies.
All USCIS field offices, asylum offices, and Application Support Centers ( ASC’s) will not provide in -person services until at least April 1.
This includes:
- interviews
- naturalization ceremonies
- biometric collection appointments
IMMIGRATION REQUESTING YOU RESCHEDULE ANY APPOINTMENTS IF YOU FEEL SICK.
The wording is: If you become ill for any reason, regardless of whether you were exposed to COVID-19 corona virus, you should not come to appointments at any USCIS office
There should be a number on your appointment notice to reschedule.
USCIS IS REQUESTING YOU RESCHEDULE ANY IMMIGRATION APPOINTMENTS IF YOU:
- Have traveled internationally to any country outside the U.S. within 14 days of your appointment;
- Believe that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 (even if you have not traveled internationally);
- Are experiencing flu-like symptoms (such as a runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat or fever) or otherwise feel ill.
SOME USCIS OFFICES ARE CLOSING.
Before any immigration appointment you should check to make sure the office is still open. Here is the link to the the USCIS page that let’s you know which offices are closed.
IMMIGRATION IS SAYING THEY WILL HELP YOU RESCHEDULE WITHOUT PENALTY WHEN YOU ARE BETTER.
Do not worry about being penalized if you feel sick and need to reschedule, or if the office of your appointment is closed. This is currently a national emergency, and you will not be penalized for not making it to your appointment as long as you are sure to call in before.
We will keep this page updated as this progresses. Bookmark this page so you can stay current if you have any immigration dealings in the near future.
