I received a request for evidence during the coronavirus pandemic, what do I do?

This is part of a series of posts aimed at informing those that can or have been potentially affected by changes in U.S. government immigration policy in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

We hope that you and your family are safe during these difficult and uncertain times.

On March 27, 2020, the United States Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) announced a 60 day extension to the response date set forth on Requests for Evidence (RFE) or Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID) dated between March 1 and May 1, 2020. 

Any responses submitted within 60 calendar days after the response date set forth in the RFE or NOID will be considered by USCIS before any action is taken. 

This is very important and welcomed news for petitioners, nonimmigrants, applicants for adjustment of status, and applicants for naturalization, who may otherwise have been unable to prepare a timely response to a recent RFE or NOID. 

This extension is a rare opportunity that applicants and petitioners should immediately take advantage of by consulting with an experienced immigration attorney about a recently received RFE or NOID. The sooner that you contact an experienced immigration attorney, the greater the likelihood is that he or she can help you. 

Receiving an RFE or a NOID on a case can be extremely nerve wracking as it may be the last opportunity that the USCIS is offering to present additional evidence and arguments in support of your case. 

While this is rightfully daunting for you, our firm regularly prepares successful responses to complex RFEs and NOIDs and is extremely experienced in crafting unique and persuasive legal arguments in support of the legal issues presented in your particular case.