USCIS to end COVID-related flexible deadlines for responding to agency requests

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced Thursday that it would end pandemic-related flexible measures for responding to some agency requests. The move had been expected after USCIS said in January the measures would be extended to March 23 but likely would not be extended again.

Key Points:

• Beginning tomorrow, March 24, petitioners/applicants for USCIS benefits must respond by deadlines listed in notices and requests from the agency, including:
  • Requests for Evidence.
  • Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14).
  • Notices of Intent to Deny.
  • Notices of Intent to Revoke.
  • Notices of Intent to Rescind.
  • Notices of Intent to Terminate regional centers.
  • Notices of Intent to Withdraw Temporary Protected Status.
  • Motions to Reopen an N-400 Pursuant to 8 CFR 335.5, Receipt of Derogatory Information After Grant.
• Documents with an issuance date between March 1, 2020, and March 23, 2023, inclusive, will continue to have an additional 60 days beyond the due date to respond.
• USCIS retains discretion to provide certain flexibilities on a case-by-case basis upon request, for applicants or petitioners affected by an emergency or unforeseen circumstance.

BAL Analysis: The U.S. government continues to review pandemic-related policies in light of the Biden administration’s plans of ending the COVID-19 national and public health emergencies on May 11. This includes reviewing temporary Form I-9 measures and its vaccination policies for nonimmigrant foreign nationals traveling to the United States. BAL will provide updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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