19 March 2020

This update includes those issues most likely to impact our clients with the information currently available.  Please email or call your contact at Laura Devine Immigration should you have specific issues or questions.

Scheduled appearances at US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

USCIS is suspending in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices and Application Support Centers (ASCs) from 18 March until at least 1 April. Note that this includes all biometric appointments. In the meantime, USCIS will provide limited emergency services.

USCIS field offices will send notices to applicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments and naturalization ceremonies impacted by this closure. USCIS asylum offices will send interview cancellation notices and automatically reschedule asylum interviews. When the interview is rescheduled, asylum applicants will receive a new interview notice with the new time, date and location of the interview. When USCIS again resumes normal operations, USCIS will automatically reschedule ASC appointments due to the office closure and will send out new appointment letters in the mail. Individuals who had InfoPass or other appointments must reschedule through the USCIS Contact Center once field offices are open to the public again.

For USCIS’ latest coronavirus updates, visit this webpage.

Extension of status requests for VWP/ESTA

Visitors who entered the US through one of the ports in the list below and under the VWP/ESTA program who are unable to depart the US before the current period of admission because of COVID-19 related issues may be eligible for an extension of up to 30 days. We expect that additional ports of entry will be added and that eventually this policy will be adopted nationwide by the US Customs and Border Protection.

• John F. Kennedy International Airport, NY (JFK)
• Newark Liberty International Airport, NJ
• Boston Logan International Airport, MS
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport, IL
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, WA
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, VT
• Denver International Airport, CO

Consular post closures and reduction in visa services

Many visa issuing consular posts, including London, have suspended all routine visa services. Other posts remain open but may notify applicants directly if appointments are cancelled.  In an attempt to keep the public informed, the Department of State is maintaining country-specific information concerning COVID-19 for each US consular post which includes information concerning health services, recommendations, and if applicable, information regarding the suspension or reduction of visa services.

Presidential Proclamations Suspending Entry to the United States

As explained in our recent briefing, President Trump has issued multiple proclamations in recent weeks suspending the entry into the United States, as immigrants or non-immigrants, of individuals who were physically present within the Schengen Area, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the People’s Republic of China, and most recently the United Kingdom and Ireland, during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States, subject to certain exceptions.

The suspension and limitation on entry of the proclamations do not apply to:

• Citizens of the United States;
• Lawful permanent residents (LPRs or green card holders);
• Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and LPRs; and
• Other specific categories as laid out in the proclamations available on the White House website.

Anticipated processing delays with USCIS

We anticipate that USCIS may implement certain policies in response to the pandemic that will affect their business operations, and which may cause processing and adjudicating delays of petitions.

We will continue to monitor any further COVID-19 developments and changes to USCIS business operations.

Laura Devine Immigration business operations 

While there is no precedent regarding the severity and scale of COVID-19, and the responses from the US agencies overseeing immigration benefits are changing rapidly, the team at Laura Devine Immigration is monitoring developments.  The offices in New York and London are following guidance for employers through remote working and social distancing.  We remain committed to our clients and will continue to be available to advise and assist during this crisis.