USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests Through October 2022

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is once again extending certain flexibilities, now through Oct. 23, 2022, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors. Under these flexibilities, USCIS considers a response received within 60 calendar days after the due date set forth in the following requests or notices before taking any action, if the request or notice was issued between March 1, 2020, and Oct. 23, 2022, inclusive:

  • Requests for Evidence;

  • Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14);

  • Notices of Intent to Deny;

  • Notices of Intent to Revoke;

  • Notices of Intent to Rescind;

  • Notices of Intent to Terminate regional centers;

  • Notices of Intent to Withdraw Temporary Protected Status; and

  • Motions to Reopen an N-400 Pursuant to 8 CFR 335.5, Receipt of Derogatory Information After Grant.

In addition, USCIS will consider a Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion, or a Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA), if:

  • The form was filed up to 90 calendar days from the issuance of a decision we made; and

  • The decision was made between Nov. 1, 2021, and Oct. 23, 2022, inclusive.

As part of an overall effort to reduce backlogs and improve processing efficiency, USCIS has also been evaluating which flexibilities can and should be extended permanently. As a result of this evaluation, the reproduced signature flexibility announced in March, 2020 will become permanent policy starting today, July 25, 2022.

The above announcement, as well as other USCIS updates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, may be found here.