Though USCIS did not announce any freezes in deadlines or uniform procedures on how delayed filings will be treated, the agency did publish guidance on how immigration lawyers can handle delays in extension and change of status filings. If there will be a delay in filing, USCIS suggested that petitioners file for an Extension of Stay or Change of Status. For late filings, USCIS also said that they will give some discretion to immigration officials to consider the COVID-19 pandemic when deciding whether to excuse a delay as under extraordinary circumstances. The full alert, published April 13, includes more guidance and detail.
– Weekly Immigration Briefing by Olivia Hester, Immigration Law Analyst at Docketwise
Posted in: Immigration
posted on: April 17, 2020