Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offered some flexibility to applicants, petitioners, and requestors. These flexibilities included filing extensions for certain applications and the waiver of some requirements. USCIS recently announced that they are extending flexibility for responding to agency requests. However, they also said that this is most likely the final extension. We will see what happens. I think COVID will ultimately call the shots.
Regardless, this announcement does offer some additional time and flexibility for applicants and their representatives.
Agency Requests
Under these flexibilities, USCIS will consider a response received within 60 calendar days after the due date of certain requests. What this means is that you have 60 calendar days after the formal due date to respond to USCIS without them taking any adverse action against you. Accordingly, if the issuance date listed on the request or notice is between March 1, 2020, and July 25, 2022, USCIS will accommodate you.
Requests or Notices
The following is a list of requests and notices that USCIS will provide the 60-day flexibility.
- Requests for Evidence
- Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14)
- Notices of Intent to Deny, Revoke or Rescind
- Notices of Intent to Terminate regional centers
- Motions to Reopen an N-400, Receipt of Derogatory Information After Grant
In addition, USCIS will consider a Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion, or Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings if the forms were filed up to 90 calendar days after USCIS issued a decision and that decision was made between Nov. 1, 2021, and July 25, 2022
More Time, Act Now
I suggest that you take advantage of these added flexibilities. Therefore, if you have been neglectful in responding to USCIS, let’s get you back on track. In the meantime, please call me if you need help responding to any of these notices from immigration.
