{"id":296,"date":"2020-11-25T08:00:17","date_gmt":"2020-11-25T16:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.elawrencelaw.com\/blog\/?p=296"},"modified":"2020-12-22T11:47:55","modified_gmt":"2020-12-22T19:47:55","slug":"the-state-of-immigration-and-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elawrencelaw.com\/blog\/the-state-of-immigration-and-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"The State of Immigration and COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Many businesses and government institutions have been\ndisturbed by the pandemic this year, and sadly the immigration process has been\nno different. In this blog, we compile a list of key changes of operation\nstandards that United States Citizenship and Immigration Services have\nimplemented as the nation continues to weather the storm of COVID-19. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

You Can Still Apply for Citizenship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The USCIS has made it clear that applications for\ncitizenship are currently open. However, it would be prudent to expect a longer\nwait time than usual. This is because the agency still has a large backlog of\napplications to comb through that were submitted throughout the year during the\nshutdown.  As more applications come,\nthis backlog will only continue to grow, so it makes sense to prioritize\nsubmitting yours as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furloughs on the Horizon?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

USCIS spent much of 2020 dealing with budget issues as a\nresult of the nationwide shutdown. This was only expected given restricted\napplication rates and the fact that a large chunk of their budget comes from\napplication fees. Even still, the agency has managed to avoid resorting to\nfurloughing a large number of employees, which is promising news as the US\ncontinues along its road to recovery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Telephonic Interpreter Policy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On September 23, USCIS enacted a temporary rule requiring\napplicants to use government issued telephonic interpreters for asylum\ninterviews, rather than providing their own interpreters. The agency is\nprepared to provide translators for 47 common non-English languages. As of\nright now, this rule is set to expire on March 22, 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electronic Signatures Are Now Accepted<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Way back in March, USCIS announced that it would now be\naccepting electronic signatures rather than requiring \u201cwet\u201d signatures on applications.\nMany believed that this change was long overdue anyway, so there is a good\nchance that this new policy change will stay in place even after the dust of\nCOVID-19 settles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elizabeth Anu Law Can Help You Through the Immigration Process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you or a loved one is uncertain how to proceed with the\nimmigration process, choose an experienced firm like the Law Office of\nElizabeth Anu Lawrence to give you the help you need.  Please give us a call at 443.352.3201. Skype\nand telephone consultation are both available to clients.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many businesses and government institutions have been disturbed by the pandemic this year, and sadly the immigration process has been no different. 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