USCIS Ends COVID-19 Flexibilities

By: Ashima Chock

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has ended all Covid-19 immigration flexibilities on March 23, 2023.

The flexibility was put in place in March 2020, as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic when it was announced as a National Emergency. Since then, the policy has been extended several times, most recently on January 24, 2023. In that announcement USCIS clarified there would not be an additional extension, unless deemed necessary by a change in the pandemic. Today, USCIS has confirmed they will not be extending the flexibilities.

All applicants must respond to notices and requests issued by USCIS after March 23, 2023 by the deadline listed on the document including:

• Requests for Evidence;
• Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14);
• Notices of Intent to Deny;
• Notices of Intent to Revoke;
• Notices of Intent to Rescind;
• Notices of Intent to Terminate regional centers;
• Notices of Intent to Withdraw Temporary Protected Status; and
• Motions to Reopen an N-400 Pursuant to 8 CFR 335.5, Receipt of Derogatory Information After Grant.

Notice of Appeal or Motion and Request for a Hearing on Decision in Naturalization Proceedings

Applicants filing Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion, or Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA), should follow all instructions and deadlines noted on the files.

Other Flexibilities

USCIS may still provide some flexibility on a case-by-case basis if a petitioner has an emergency or other unanticipated circumstances.

Reproduced Signatures

The flexibility regarding electronically reproduced original signatures was made permanent on July 25, 2022. This policy will remain unaffected as USCIS eliminated other flexibilities.

Conclusion

For more information regarding flexibilities and deadlines please contact the trusted Chugh, LLP immigration team.

Source: USCIS Newsroom