San Antonio USCIS Offices
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the United States Government department that determines eligibility for immigration benefits. The USCIS is one of the many subsidiaries of the United States Department of Homeland Security.
It is necessary for an individual to submit paperwork to USCIS when seeking some form of immigration benefits. This paperwork may include any immigration benefits and privileges such as lawful permanent resident status, certificate of citizenship, the right to work in the United States, deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA), naturalization under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), or any one of many immigration benefits and privileges.
Services Offered by the USCIS As an Official Government Organization
Here are some of the services provided by the USCIS in San Antonio, TX:
- Naturalization procedure for lawful immigrants
- Immigration procedure for U.S. citizens and permanent residents’ relatives
- Obtaining a work visa in the U.S.
- Humanitarian initiatives
- International adoptions (for adopting children from outside the U.S.)
The above are the primary services offered by USCIS. You can view a comprehensive list of all USCIS services at their official website.
If any of the following apply, you may require an appointment with a USCIS official at one of their local offices in San Antonio:
- You have queries about any of the services above
- You applied for one of the procedures above and want to check its progress
For each of the above procedures, formalities must be observed, such as a green card for permanent residents, document verification, I-551 stamps, etc.
Why Does the USCIS No Longer Offer Online Appointment Scheduling?
Online appointment scheduling for USCIS is no longer available. The InfoPass service, which enabled individuals to arrange online meetings with USCIS officers, is no longer accessible. In addition, the Infopass website is no longer operational. USCIS discontinued the service in March 2019.
Since many online appointments were found to be for cases for which an in-person appointment was unnecessary, the USCIS no longer offers online appointment booking. Moreover, many people who booked appointments online could have their questions answered over the phone.
With the web service no longer available, the USCIS has implemented a new mechanism for scheduling appointments, as described below.
Scheduling a USCIS Appointment
To schedule an appointment, call the USCIS contact center at 800-375-5283.
Once you dial the number, an automated voice service will provide you with the necessary guidance. In addition, it will provide you with the resources needed for your inquiries.
You will be referred to a contact center agent if the automated service cannot solve your problem.
If the live operator cannot answer your question, your call will then be transferred to a USCIS official. The officer may not immediately answer your call but will take note of your inquiry and contact you at a set time.
After speaking with the officer over the phone, they will determine whether or not your case warrants an in-person visit. If so, they will book one for you at the local office as soon as possible.
What Records Am I Required to Bring to My USCIS Appointment?
Depending on the nature of your USCIS appointment, you may need to come with different documents.
However, most USCIS appointments involve immigration and citizenship issues. And in such instances, the following documents are usually required:
- Evidence of permanent residency
- Passport with a valid visa
- Any document issued by the United States to a lawful immigrant after entering the country
- Acceptable forms of identification include a Passport, Driver’s License, I-94, or Green Card (I-551)
These are just a few essential documents you may need while visiting USCIS in San Antonio. As appointments are only scheduled following a phone call with an officer, they will give you instructions on the required documentation.
What to Do If You Have Issues With Your USCIS Appointment?
You may encounter two primary complications when booking an appointment with the USCIS.
Firstly, it may be difficult for you to get an appointment at first. In such a situation, your options are limited. You can wait and call their contact center later, or you can visit the local office and wait in line.
Second, you may not be able to attend an appointment as planned. The USCIS can accommodate your absence when there are reasonable reasons for it, such as a severe illness. The USCIS will reschedule the appointment without penalty.
Can You Request an Urgent In-person Appointment With the USCIS?
It is possible to arrange urgent in-person appointments at USCIS offices in an emergency. However, determining how urgent or severe a case is and whether or not an emergency appointment is necessary rests solely with USCIS personnel.
Public Health Guidelines for the USCIS Office in San Antonio
The USCIS revised its public health policies about face coverings and social distancing on March 4, 2022.
- If the USCIS facility is not crowded, you may elect not to wear face coverings or practice social distancing. You may, however, wear a mask if you so wish.
- When the office is crowded, all government workers, contractors, and visitors older than two years must wear a mask within USCIS facilities and maintain a physical distance.
You are not permitted to visit a USCIS facility if you:
- Have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19
- Have been in close contact (within six feet for at least 15 minutes) with anyone known to have COVID-19 within the past ten days
- If you have recently returned from a cruise ship or overseas trip
- During the last ten days, you have been instructed to self-isolate or self-quarantine unless you have been cleared to end isolation or quarantine
Secure Websites of the USCIS Office in San Antonio
You can visit USCIS’s official website at https://www.uscis.gov. Verify that you are visiting the correct website by looking for the locked padlock and HTTPS label. Some fraudulent websites imitate government websites to scam their visitors.
How Attorneys Can Help You With Your USCIS Appointment
When dealing with authorities at the USCIS in San Antonio, you may need the legal services of a dedicated immigration law firm. ATT Law can help you schedule appointments and gather supporting documents if required.
Call today for a free consultation, and let’s discuss your case.
