New York COVID and Immigration

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, on March 18^th, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have closed and have suspended in person services. The offices are expected to begin to re-open on June 4, 2020. However, USCIS staff are continuing to provide non-in person services. Immigration courts have postponed some types of hearings, but others continue. In addition, all U.S. embassies and consulates are closed.

• Field office appointments. If your scheduled USCIS field office appointment was impacted by the closure, you will receive a notification in the mail indicating that your appointment has been rescheduled once normal operations resume.
• Applications for Employment Authorization. Applicants who had an appointment will have their application processed using previously submitted biometrics. In some cases an in person appointment will not be necessary.
• Asylum appointments. The USCIS will send cancellation notices to those whose interview appointments are impacted by the closure. Those who have pending asylum applications can check their case status online.
• Naturalization oath ceremonies. If your scheduled ceremony was impacted by the closure, the USCIS will automatically reschedule it. You will receive a notice for your rescheduled ceremony by mail. If you requested a name change, you must wait for a judicial ceremony.
• Visa services. The Department of State suspended routine visa services at all U.S. embassies and consulates and routine visa appointments have been cancelled. Emergency appointments are available for urgent matters such as for air and sea crew and medical personnel who are working to treat or mitigate the effects of COVID-19.
• Immigration courts. Non-detention hearings have been postponed through June 12, 2020, however deportation hearings continue.

Note that immigrations regulations and procedures related to COVID-19 are fluid and may change at any time. Check back to this page for updates.