Update on Immigration Restrictions and Government Office Closures implemented in Response to Coronavirus Spread

As the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the United States, the federal government has implemented a number of restrictions and office closures in an effort to help slow the spread of the virus.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
Local Field Offices and Application Support Centers Closed until at least April 07, 2020 (On March 25, 2020, USCIS extended closures from April 1, 2020  to April 7, 2020).

Starting on March 18, 2020, USCIS has suspended all in-person services until at least April 07, 2020.

In-person services include anyone with a scheduled interview at a Field Office – Adjustment of Status or Green Card interviews, Naturalization interviews, or Asylum interviews – anyone scheduled to appear for their Naturalization Oath Ceremony; or anyone requiring any other in-person service or InfoPass appointments.

USCIS Application Support Centers (ASC) are also closed until at least April 07, 2020.

When USCIS resumes normal operations, those whose interviews, ASC appointments, or Naturalization oath ceremonies were cancelled due to the temporary closures will automatically be rescheduled and will receive a new interview notice with the new date, time, and location for the interview.

Those who had scheduled InfoPass appointments must reschedule their appointment through the USCIS Contact Center (1-800-767-1833).

USCIS will continue to provide emergency services for limited situations. Any emergency appointment must be scheduled through the USCIS Contact Center.

Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) –

Denver Immigration Court
All hearings conducted at the Denver Immigration Court are postponed until at least April 10, 2020.

The Denver Immigration Court – located at 1961 Stout Street, Denver, Colorado – has issued an order postponing all Master Calendar Hearings and Individual Hearings until at least April 10, 2020.

The court is still open to receive any necessary case filings or document submissions; however, it will not be holding any hearings until at least April 10, 2020.

Those whose hearing dates are effected by the temporary court closure will receive a new hearing notice with the new date and time for their next hearing in the mail.

GEO Aurora Immigration Detention Facility
All hearings conducted at the GEO Aurora Immigration Detention Facility are currently moving forward as scheduled.

The GEO Aurora Immigration Detention Facility – located at 3130 Oakland Street, Aurora, Colorado – is still conducting all scheduled hearings.

The Aurora court, which conducts hearings for those individuals in immigration detention, is still conducting all scheduled hearings, which include Master Hearings, Bond Hearings, and Individual Hearings.

Social visitation has been temporarily suspended in all detention facilities.

Legal visitation is still allowed however, attorneys must have their own Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and attorneys are strongly encouraged to conducted visits by phone or video-conferencing.

U.S. Department of State (DOS)
Immigrant and Nonimmigrant visa appointments have been canceled as of March 18, 2020.

The U.S. Department of State suspended all routine visa services, in most countries worldwide. The suspension includes cancelling all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments. The suspension was implemented as of March 18, 2020, and currently has no date listed of when embassies and consulates plan to re-open routine services.

For a list of country specific information regarding available services please go to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/COVID-19-Country-Specific-Information.html

Kolko & Casey, P.C. is closely monitoring this swiftly changing situation. If you have questions about how an agency closure is impacting your case, please contact Kolko & Casey, P.C. at (303) 371-1822.