UPDATE on USCIS, EOIR & DOS COVID-19 Related Office Closures

We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy. 

In an effort to keep you informed and up-to-date with applicable COVID-19 related closures and delays at the various immigration agencies, we plan to provide regular blog posts and updates.

Below, please find the latest information as of April 2, 2020:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):

Temporary office closure extended through at least May 03, 2020.

USCIS announced on April 01, 2020 that it is extending the temporary suspension of in-person services through May 03, 2020. Local Field Offices and in-person services are tentatively scheduled to begin to reopen on May 04, 2020.

In-person services include anyone with a scheduled interview at a Field Office – Adjustment of Status or Green Card interviews, Naturalization interviews, or Asylum interviews – anyone scheduled to appear for their Naturalization Oath Ceremony; or anyone requiring any other in-person service or InfoPass appointments.

Application Support Centers (ASC) are also closed until at least May 03, 2020.

When USCIS resumes normal operations, those whose interviews, ASC appointments, or Naturalization oath ceremonies were cancelled due to the temporary closures will automatically be rescheduled and will receive a new interview notice with the new date, time, and location for the interview.

USCIS will continue to provide emergency services for limited situations. Any emergency appointment must be scheduled through the USCIS Contact Center (1-800-375-5283).

Importantly, USCIS Service Centers processing applications by mail remain open and active.  Therefore, individuals, families and employers can continue to file applications for immigration benefits with the appropriate USCIS Service Center at this time.

More information and further updates from USCIS can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-response-coronavirus-2019-covid-19.

Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR):

On March 30, 2020, EOIR announced that hearings in non-detained cases are postponed through May 01, 2020. This order applies to all non-detained cases nationwide.

The Denver Immigration Court – located at 1961 Stout Street, Denver, Colorado – is still open to receive any necessary case filings or document submissions.

The Denver Court has encouraged attorneys and individuals appearing in removal proceedings to submit all filings electronically through it’s pilot electronic “ECAS” Filing System or via email during this time.

Those whose hearing dates are effected by the temporary court closure will receive a new hearing notice with the new date and time for their next hearing in the mail.

The Aurora Immigration Court – located at the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) / GEO Group Detention Center at 3130 North Oakland Street, Aurora, Colorado – is still open and conducting Bond Hearings, Master Calendar Hearings and Individual Merits Hearings.

The Aurora Court has issued several Standing Orders related to telephonic appearance by counsel during the COVID-19 Epidemic.

Kolko & Casey attorneys and our colleagues around the country remain very concerned about the health and safety of individuals detained at the Aurora facility, as well as the Immigration Judges, ICE Attorneys and staff working in the facility. 

More information and further updates from EOIR can be found at https://www.justice.gov/eoir/eoir-operational-status-during-coronavirus-pandemic.

U.S. Department of State (DOS)

As of March 18, 2020, Immigrant and Nonimmigrant visa appointments have been canceled.

The U.S. Department of State suspended all routine visa services, in most countries worldwide. The suspension includes cancelling all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments. The suspension was implemented as of March 18, 2020, and currently has no date listed of when embassies and consulates plan to re-open routine services.

For a list of country specific information regarding available services please go to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/COVID-19-Country-Specific-Information.html

Kolko & Casey, P.C. is closely monitoring this swiftly changing situation. If you have questions about how an agency closure is impacting your case, please contact Kolko & Casey, P.C. at (303) 371-1822.