Federal authorities have recently issued a large number of new policies, guidance, etc., in response to the coronavirus pandemic. These include the following:
- Flexibility in Submitting Required Signatures on Applications
- The USCIS has announced it will accept application forms with reproduced original signatures.
- It already accepts certain petition forms electronically for processing and this new announcement will now also accept those that have previously required original / “wet ink” signatures.
- Petitioners must retain the documents containing the original / “wet ink” signatures because the USCIS can still request these at any time.
- USCIS Offices Closed from March 18—April 1
- The USCIS has halted all in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices and Application Support Centers (ASCs) until April 1, 2020.
- It will send notices to those with scheduled appointments affected by the closures and issue new notices when matters are rescheduled.