USCIS re-opening on June 4, 2020 was supposed to jumpstart stalled immigration cases. However, the reopening has shown disparate impacts on green card, naturalization, and H1B cases
The first, in fact only, action taken by USCIS after the reopening was to gradually schedule naturalization ceremonies. However, USCIS has not scheduled a new N-400 naturalization interview yet.
Although an official announcement by USCIS or the Trump administration has yet to occur, it has been reported that there will be an additional temporary suspension of in-person services even after the reopening.
The additional suspension is largely applicable to USCIS field offices, not USCIS service centers and National Benefits Center (NBC). For example, NBC oversees preparing green card and naturalization applications that require interviews at USCIS field offices. The NBC has been actively processing cases by reviewing evidence, issuing a request for evidence, and approving employment authorization and advance parole document applications.
In contrast, USCIS field offices handle scheduled interviews and adjudicate cases. As a result, for those whose interviews were previously canceled or never scheduled may need to wait for extra time. However, green card interviews and cases related to fighting COVID-19 may not be subject to the suspension.
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This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.
