From COVID-19 to Furloughs - Here is What is Happening at USCIS
If you have a case pending before USCIS right now, it probably seems like the information regarding how your case will be processed changes every day. Well, it’s not your imagination and the information is changing everyday. In June of 2020, the Portland Field Office began a phased reopening and they are revising their procedures frequently to comply with physical distancing and other safety requirements. So, what does this mean for you?
First, USCIS is currently focusing on clearing their backlog of cancelled naturalization ceremonies and rescheduling naturalization interviews that were cancelled due to the pandemic. If you had a naturalization interview or oath ceremony that was cancelled, you should be receiving your new notice soon. Our office has had several naturalization interviews and oath ceremonies rescheduled already. If you had an interview for an I-485 or I-751 already scheduled, the processing times are less clear. USCIS has not released any guidance on when those interviews will be rescheduled or how the pandemic will impact those processing times.
You will also notice some new procedures at the Portland Office. First, for interviews, if you need a translator then the translator needs to appear via phone and will not be allowed to actually enter the building. Second, attorneys are being encouraged to appear telephonically. We do not recommend that attorneys appear telephonically and discourage this practice. You have the right to have your counsel in the room with you and your attorney is there to protect your rights. Our ability to do that is limited if we are not actually in the room. Third, you will not be allowed to enter the building more than 15 minutes early and no family members will be allowed in the building. Finally, you will be asked to bring your own blue or black pen and masks will be mandatory.
The good news is that officers are swearing in applicants immediately after interviews and producing the naturalization certificates on the same day, so, while you won’t have an oath ceremony that your family can attend, you do have the chance to be sworn in immediately.
Like we wrote above, the procedures at USCIS are changing pretty rapidly as they adapt to working during the pandemic. There is also a chance that USCIS will furlough roughly 70% of their employees in August. Right now, USCIS is asking for a one-time financial bailout from Congress. If Congress does not give USCIS $1.1 billion, USCIS will furlough the majority of its workforce to make up for their budget shortfall. If this happens, it will impact processing times of all cases before USCIS. Keep an eye on Facebook, Instagram, and Google Page to get quick updates.
