Non-detained Hearings Have Resumed
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, temporary immigration court and agency shutdowns occurred. Courts and agencies had shut down for any non-essential or non-emergency in-person services. If you had an interview, hearing or check-in appointment scheduled during the shutdown, the agency or court will reschedule it.
Many U.S. immigration courts have resumed non-detained hearings and currently all non-detained hearings are scheduled to resume on August 10, 2020. In the local area, both the Baltimore and Arlington immigration courts have resumed non-detained hearings. Remember that the current operating status of the immigration courts is subject to change and more updated information can be found at the EOIR website.
All USCIS Offices are Open After Immigration Court and Agency Shutdowns
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) reopened for public services on June 4, 2020 and currently all USCIS offices are open. While USCIS has resumed in-person appointments and interviews, they have reduced the number of appointments and interviews. This is to allow for social distancing and proper cleaning procedures. Asylum offices are doing video-assisted interviews where the applicant will sit in one room and the office in another. Naturalization ceremonies have also resumed but attendance is limited to the individual naturalizing and those providing assistance to disabled persons. Please note that USCIS is requiring that those over the age of two wear face coverings and maintain social distancing. USCIS has stated that anyone feeling sick should not go to their appointment. Instead, they should request that their appointment be rescheduled.
ICE Suspends In-Person Reporting
Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) had suspended in-person reporting requirements as of March 18, 2020 for those on the alternative to detention (ATD) program. While ICE’s website provides guidance on reporting requirements during the pandemic, they do not have specific information for each ICE office. Now that immigration court and agency shutdowns are over, there have been some new developments.
Currently our office has information that the Baltimore ICE office has cancelled and postponed appointments until September 9, 2020. For those reporting in Baltimore who missed their check-in or had an appointment cancelled: please report to the Baltimore ICE office. You should begin reporting here beginning on September 9, 2020. Please note that these dates are subject to change. You should call your local ICE office for updated reporting information.
*Please note that this post does not constitute legal advice.
