In accordance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced they are reopening select offices for in-person, non-emergency matters, effective June 4, 2022. 

Not all USCIS in-person facilities will reopen on June 4, 2022. To see the current status of each office, call the USCIS Contact Center or see the latest on the USCIS office closures page.  

With USCIS offices reopening, the rescheduling of naturalization ceremonies, interviews, and appointments will begin to take place. USCIS has also provided a new manner in which some of these activities will be conducted. USCIS will now start implementing the following: 

Asylum Offices – USCIS will be sending new interview notices for any asylum interviews that were canceled. The interviews will take place in accordance with social distance guidelines. USCIS is implementing video-facilitated interviews, meaning interviewers and applicants will be in separate rooms. If you are attending an affirmative asylum interview you must also bring all immediate family members listed as dependents on the application.  

To accommodate those who don’t speak English, USCIS is also allowing you to bring a translator or trusted representative with you.  

Naturalization Ceremonies – USCIS will be sending new notices to reschedule postponed naturalization ceremonies. These ceremonies will be shorter, and a flyer will be handed out with all the relevant information. Only the naturalization candidate and individuals aiding disabled persons will be able to attend.  

Interviews and Appointments – USCIS will be sending new notices to reschedule previously canceled appointments and interviews. These interviews and appointments will be limited to the applicant, one representative, one family member, and one individual providing disability accommodations.  

Unlike an asylum interview, applicants should arrange to have interpreters available by phone.  

Application Support Centers – USCIS will automatically reschedule any necessary ASC appointments that were canceled due to office closures. Applicants will be mailed the notice. If you do not appear for your ASC appointment your application may experience significant delays.  

When attending any appointment, you must wear facial coverings that cover both the mouth and nose. You should not go to any USCIS facility if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have been in contact with anyone suspected of having COVID-19 in the last 14 days, or have been directed to self-quarantine for 14 days by a public health official. There is no penalty for rescheduling your appointment if you are sick. 

Making sure you can attend your interview is crucial to your application being handled quickly and efficiently. If you have any questions regarding your interview, reach out to ILBSG as we continue to actively monitor policy updates to ensure you get the right advice.  

asylum USCIS