Is USCIS still working? Even though the offices have been closed till May 3rd....

[Yajhsar 7]

USCIS website states   "...USCIS plans to begin reopening our offices on May 4, unless the public closures are extended further. USCIS staff are continuing to perform duties that do not involve contact with the public......"  .

 

Does this mean, they are still scheduling  and rescheduling (interviews and oath ceremonies)? As the offices continue to remain closed....Can I hope to get any communication from USCIS before May 3rd? I dont know if the staff are working from home. I doubt it, given the nature of sensitive information and the security required. And if they are not working from home, the lockdown will not allow them to go to office. Which means the information on USCIS website is misleading....

 

Any thoughts, fellow members???

[SalishSea 17,836]

27 minutes ago, Yajhsar said:

USCIS website states   "...USCIS plans to begin reopening our offices on May 4, unless the public closures are extended further. USCIS staff are continuing to perform duties that do not involve contact with the public......"  .

 

Does this mean, they are still scheduling  and rescheduling (interviews and oath ceremonies)? As the offices continue to remain closed....Can I hope to get any communication from USCIS before May 3rd? I dont know if the staff are working from home. I doubt it, given the nature of sensitive information and the security required. And if they are not working from home, the lockdown will not allow them to go to office. Which means the information on USCIS website is misleading....

 

Any thoughts, fellow members???

No one here has any way of knowing.  Personally, I wouldn't expect much of anything any time soon.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

I doubt they will do any actual scheduling until they know for certain when they will reopen - remember this is the 3rd date it’s been pushed back to. No point on drawing up schedules that have to be revised constantly. But they are doing everything else I guess - receiving/reviewing/approving petitions, requesting RFEs, whatever else they do.

 

As for whether or not the lockdown is preventing them going to work, that depends on whether or not they are designated essential employees. Anyone know a definitive answer on that?

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

In fact they explicitly say you’ll only get rescheduled once they’re normal again:

 

USCIS domestic field offices will send notices with instructions to applicants and petitioners with scheduled interview appointments or naturalization ceremonies impacted by this closure. They will automatically be rescheduled once normal operations resume. 
 

https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-response-coronavirus-2019-covid-19 , see tab on FO appointments and rescheduling

[Thegirl 225]

There are certainly people in some offices working. They are open to the public for emergencies so I'd imagine other work is happening behind the scenes as well. Exactly what they are doing and to what extent, it would be hard to say. 

[millefleur 5,046]

We filed the N-400 3 days ago and got a receipt number/NOA online, so I assume someone is working. I would be surprized if it was totally automated as they said a physical letter would also be mailed. They may just not be doing physical appointments/scheduling that right now.

[N400NYC 380]

They have to still be doing * something * otherwise they would all be getting paid for doing nothing (which would seem problematic). 

 

 

[millefleur 5,046]

Quote

 

USCIS Response to Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)

 

ALERT: As of March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has temporarily suspended routine in-person services through at least May 3 to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS staff will continue to perform mission critical duties that do not involve contact with the public. However, USCIS will provide emergency services for limited situations. To schedule an emergency appointment contact the USCIS Contact Center.

Visit CoronaVirus.gov for a complete list of CDC travel health notices.

Learn about the Department of Homeland Security’s response.

 

So, basically, they're technically still open and conducting business but all in-person things are suspended for now.

Edited April 5, 2020 by millefleur