Often, an immigrant must file documents for immigration proceedings whose deadline falls on a federal holiday, Saturday or Sunday.
For these cases, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a policy change, effective March 29. This, in order to make some legal procedures for immigrants more flexible.
The measure only applies to documents submitted in paper form, and from that date onwards. (Documents in electronic format are considered received immediately after appearing in the recipient's inbox).
New USCIS Policy
USCIS updated its Policy Manual with several changes. Among them is the establishment of the "next business day" as the new deadline for an immigrant to file notices.
But only in the case of submitting the documents in paper format. And, very importantly, only if the deadline falls on a holiday or weekend.
The measure applies to all applications for benefits, or responses to a USCIS action. Its immediate consequence is to avoid problems and penalties to the immigrant, for submitting documentation out of time.
New deadline for immigration proceedings in the United States.
"Examples include filing a paper application for benefits the day before an applicant's or beneficiary's birthday, or the last day of a given filing deadline. Or responding to a Request for Evidence, or a Notice of Intent to Deny, Rescind, Revoke, or Cancel, within the specified deadline for a response."
So states USCIS in an official statement. "In these situations, we consider a paper filing or response to be timely if it is received by the end of the next business day," the agency adds.
In such cases, the date of physical receipt of the documents will be noted. But USCIS will consider "timely delivery."
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