USCIS Preparing to Reopen Some Offices and Resume Public Services on June 4

US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced they are continuing to prepare some domestic offices to reopen and resume non-emergency public services on or after June 4, 2020. Previously, on March 18, USCIS temporarily suspended routine in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS announced in April they were planning on reopening offices in June. The latest information on the status of individual offices can be checked on the office closures page at USCIS.gov.

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NPR: “Passengers Flying to U.S. Face Heightened Screenings, New Questions”

The Trump administration is imposing heightened security measures for both US citizens and foreign passengers traveling to the US as of October 26, 2017. These measures will affect approximately 325,000 passengers on more than 2,000 flights every day, according to NPR. The new regulations come after government officials lifted the ban on certain electronic devices this past July, and gave airlines a three-month timeframe to improve security. "The security measures affect all individuals, international passengers and US citizens, traveling to the United States from a last point of departure international location," Lisa Farbstein, a spokeswoman for the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says.

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USCIS to Expand In-Person Interview Requirements for Certain Permanent Residency Applicants

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will soon begin the process of expanding in-person interviews for certain applicants seeking permanent residency. This policy change stems from President Trump’s executive order, “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States,” which in addition to banning travel for certain citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries also called for uniform screening standards and procedures for all immigration programs.

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