About Covid-19
The coronavirus pandemic is rapidly spreading around the world. As immigration lawyers, we have created this page in order to educate people regarding how the pandemic may affect their immigration cases and to make sure that immigrants, whether or not they are documented, are not afraid to seek medical care.
On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services suspended routine in-person services until at least April 1 to help slow the spread of COVID-19. USCIS staff will continue to perform duties that do not involve contact with the public. However, USCIS will provide emergency services for limited situations. To schedule an emergency appointment contact the USCIS Contact Center.
On March 18, ICE announced:
“ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) will focus enforcement on public safety risks and individuals subject to mandatory detention based on criminal grounds. For those individuals who do not fall into those categories, ERO will exercise discretion to delay enforcement actions until after the crisis or utilize alternatives to detention, as appropriate.”
and
“ICE will not carry out enforcement operations at or near health care facilities, such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, accredited health clinics, and emergent or urgent care facilities, except in the most extraordinary of circumstances. Individuals should not avoid seeking medical care because they fear civil immigration enforcement.”
Coronavirus – Impact on Visas
US Embassies and Consulates in the following countries have cancelled most immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments until further notice. However, persons who urgently need to travel to the US may request an emergency visa appointment.
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Belgium
- Canada – The US Consulate in Toronto has cancelled most nonimmigrant visa appointments.
- Colombia
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- France
- Germany
- India
- Ireland
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Philippines
- Poland
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa – Most nonimmigrant visa appointments have been cancelled until the end of May.
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom – The US Embassy in London has cancelled most immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments.
Coronavirus – Immigration Links
- USCIS Response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- EOIR Operational Status During Coronavirus Pandemic
- Updated ICE Statement on COVID-19
- Travelers Prohibited from Entry to the United States (CDC)
- COVID-19 (DHS)
- COVID Updates (State Department)
- Websites of US Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions
COVID-19 Immigration News
- 12 Changes to the US Immigration System During the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Immigrants Afraid to Seek Medical Care for Coronavirus
- ICE Pauses Most Immigration Enforcement Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
- US Immigration Offices Are Going To Temporarily Close Due To The Coronavirus Pandemic
- It’s not access to face masks that should worry us about coronavirus — it’s America’s nursing shortage
