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Immigration News

EIIC PRESS RELEASE: Texas Injunction on President’s Executive Action

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Emerald Isle Immigration Center’s Executive Director Siobhan Dennehy expressed “disappointment” that late yesterday a federal district court judge in Texas issued a preliminary injunction which temporarily blocks the implementation of the President’s executive actions. Specifically, the decision places on hold the expansion of the deferred action for childhood arrivals program (DACA) and the deferred action program for parents of US citizen and permanent resident children (DACA). The Administration is moving quickly to appeal the judge’s decision, but it means that tomorrow’s start date for the expansion of the DACA program will be delayed for at least several weeks. The DAPA program was not scheduled to be open until mid to late May and may be delayed as well.
The ruling does not affect those who qualify under the original DACA program announced in 2012 who are applying to renew their status or filing an initial application. Those who were granted DACA and currently hold work permits are also not affected stated John Stahl Esq, EIIC Immigration Attorney and Director of Legal Services.

“The challenges and threats to immigration reform may continue. But in the meanwhile the successful applicants will be wise to gather documents, not travel and not give up hope” stated Immigration Attorney & EIIC Vice Chair, Frank Schorn.

This unfortunate decision is a temporary setback and will only slow down the implementation of these programs. It should not deter those who qualify under these programs from gathering the necessary documents and information and remain in the United States in anticipation of further more favorable developments in the coming months. Potential applicants should secure reliable advice from qualified immigration counsel and beware of immigration scams.

USCIS Queens office Closed Indefinitely

 

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Queens Office will no longer be located at 27-35 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City, due to office flooding.  USCIS has relocated all operations to our 26 Federal Plaza office in Manhattan.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where should customers who are generally served by the Queens office go now?

All interviews and Infopass appointments for customers usually served by the Queens office (generally, that would include residents of Queens and some residents of Brooklyn) are now being scheduled for our Manhattan office, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 8-100.

For the time being, all Queens correspondence, including Requests for Evidence (RFEs) for Queens cases, should be mailed to USCIS, 27-35 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101

All biometrics (fingerprinting and photos) appointments that would usually be scheduled for the Queens Application Support Center (ASC) are now being scheduled for other local ASCs, as indicated on biometrics appointment notices.

How many employees were relocated to 26 Fed Plaza/elsewhere?

75 USCIS employees and contractors moved to 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan and 4 moved to our Long Island office in Holtsville, Long Island.  Five ASC employees and contractors were relocated to the ASC in Jamaica, Queens.

Will USCIS have naturalization ceremonies in Queens?

All Queens cases are part of the Eastern District Court of New York, so Queens applicants are naturalized at the Eastern District Court in Brooklyn.  On occasion, USCIS and the courts host “special” ceremonies outside the court at important NY venues like the Rufus King House in Queens and we will continue to do so.

Will USCIS still be able to have a presence in the Queens community?

Definitely. USCIS-NY has an outstanding community relations officer who does community outreach (naturalization/ DACA info sessions for example) and she and other USCIS staff will continue to work with our Queens partners such as the Queens Public Library to continue to bring these services to the Queens community.

How many customers was the Queens office seeing per day (FO and ASC)?

The Queens office conducted about 150 interviews, 40 Infopass appointments, and about 250 ASC biometrics (fingerprinting and photos) appointments a day.

 

NYC USCIS offices closings announcement due to impending blizzard

 

The USCIS New York District is closing offices and postponing appointments due to the incoming blizzard.  All NY USCIS offices (including application support centers) will be closed at 1 pm today, January 26 and will remain closed tomorrow January 27th.   Offices are tentatively scheduled to re-open at 10 am on January 28, depending on weather conditions.  Appointments at the Long Island office for January 28 have been postponed.

Instructions for Applicants Scheduled for January 26 (after 1pm), January 27, and January 28 (before 10 am):

If you had an interview scheduled for the Manhattan Office (26 Federal Plaza) , your appointment will be automatically rescheduled for February  19 at the same time as originally indicated on your appointment notice.

If you had an interview scheduled for the Long Island Office, your appointment will be automatically rescheduled for January 30, at the same time as originally indicated on your appointment notice.

If you had an Infopass appointment at the Manhattan or Long Island offices, you may come in for your Infopass appointment any time after January 28.

If you had an appointment at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC), your appointment will automatically be rescheduled and you a will receive a new appointment notice in the mail.

If you were scheduled to naturalize at the Eastern District Court in Brooklyn on January 27, your ceremony has been re-scheduled for February 3at 8:30 a.m.

If you were scheduled to naturalize at the Eastern District Court in Central Islip on January 27, your ceremony will be re-scheduled and you will be notified of the new date.

Instructions for Applicants Scheduled for January 28 at the Long Island Office:

If you had an Adjustment of Status (green card) interview scheduled, it will be automatically rescheduled for January 30, at the same time as originally indicated on your appointment notice.

If you had a Naturalization interview scheduled, it will be automatically rescheduled for February 20, at the same time as originally indicated on your appointment notice.

Please keep up-to-date on the status of USCIS offices by visiting this website: http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-office-closings

Get your IDNYC today

IDNYC is a free ID card available to all New York City residents age 14 and older. Your immigration status does not matter, and no one will ask you about it. All you have to do is provide proof of identity and residence in the five boroughs of New York City.

This is the one card that is truly your key to the city, increasing access to City government and services with a range of discounts and benefits to enjoy your city and prove you are a New Yorker.

Here’s where you can go in Queens to apply for your IDNYC:

Flushing Branch Library – Queens Library
41-17 Main St, Queens, NY 11355
(at 41st Rd and Main St)
Mon, Wed, Thu: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tue: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fri, Sat: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sun: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Jamaica Branch Library – Queens Library
89-11 Merrick Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11432
(at 89th Ave and Merrick Blvd)
Mon, Wed, Thu: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tue: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fri, Sat: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sun: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Make the Road New York
92-10 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
(at 92nd St and Elmhurst Ave)
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sat: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

If you have questions, please call 311 or visit the NYC website: nyc.gov/IDNYC

USCIS Queens Office Appointments Rescheduled

 

The USCIS Queens office at 27-35 Jackson Avenue is closed until further notice due to flooding.  All Queens Office operations will be transferred to the USCIS office at 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278.

Instructions for Applicants with Appointments Scheduled for the Queens Office:

If your appointment was scheduled for  January 8, 9, or 12, please report to Room 8-100, 26 Federal Plaza on January 22. Your appointment will be at the same time as originally indicated on your appointment notice.  (Date and location have changed)

If your appointment was scheduled for  January 13, please report to Room 8-100, 26 Federal Plaza on January 15.  Your appointment will be at the same time as originally indicated on your appointment notice.  (Date and location have changed)

If your appointment was scheduled for  January 14, please report to Room 8-100, 26 Federal Plaza on January 16.  Your appointment will be at the same time as originally indicated on your appointment notice.  (Date and location have changed)

If your appointment was scheduled for  January 16, please report to Room 8-100, 26 Federal Plaza on January 16.  (Location has changed, date and time remain the same)

 

From Friday January 16th until further notice, all appointments will occur at the originally scheduled date and time, but will be relocated to 26 Federal Plaza,  Room 8-100

*If you are unable to attend your new appointment, your interview will be automatically rescheduled for a future date and you will receive a new appointment notice in the mail

More information and updates at http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-office-closings