You may have been thinking about beginning an immigration application for yourself or a family member; you may even have already started preparing that immigration application. Suddenly, the Village of Wellington, the State of Florida, the United States of America, and the rest of the world comes to a halt. COVID-19, commonly known as “coronavirus,” has threatened the health and life of millions. To mitigate the risk of illness and death, federal, state and local governments have issued “Stay-at-Home” orders, closing down all “non-essential” businesses. Among the facilities closed is United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); with the exception of certain “essential” functions, USCIS has shut down in response to the COVID-19 threat. In the West Palm Beach office on Belvedere Road, immigration interviews have been rescheduled, case processing has been further delayed, and Infopass appointments have been cancelled.
It is difficult to see the point of proceeding with your immigration application during the pandemic. However, below are the top five (5) reasons why proceeding with your immigration application during quarantine might secretly be a great idea:
- You finally have the time. Parents, teachers, grocery workers and medical professionals – this obviously does not apply to you, as you are busier than ever during the pandemic! Thank you for your service. However, some businesses have (unfortunately) closed or slowed down, and many people are not currently working. Moreover, stay-at-home orders and social-distancing practices have prevented the Wellington community from going to events, happy hours, and commercial activities. If you are at home anxious about being productive, perhaps now is the time to gather your immigration documents and information. Immigration applications require a lot of time and concentration. You might as well begin the tedious process of gathering everything your Wellington Immigration lawyer has requested.
- Your immigration lawyer finally has the time. Most law firms are still OPEN and have transitioned to telephonic consultations, remote client conferences, and electronic filings. This virtual phase is actually a time-saver for immigration attorneys in Wellington because immigration attorneys are devoid of court hearings, in-person appointments, or other legal events or functions. We have the time to process your case relatively quickly – take advantage of it!
- You are getting ahead of immigration. While immigration officials will be scrambling to catch up on their work, you have calmly and carefully prepared your application. Being ahead of the immigration officials means you are more prepared than they are to address your application. This puts you in the driver’s seat for your immigration interview.
- You can still submit your immigration application. Although you may face processing delays due to the coronavirus, nothing stops you from submitting your immigration application either by mail or, in some lucky cases, electronic filing. The postal service still delivers applications to the immigration field offices, and the USCIS online portal is still active. Take the burden of an immigration task off your shoulders and place it in the hands of USCIS for processing.
- Times of crisis remind you of what is most important. Times are tough. Groceries are scarce, unemployment is rising, and families are separated out of safety concerns. In times of uncertainty, you may get the extra push to take a bold step toward your future. This could mean finally becoming a U.S. citizen; or, it could mean petitioning for a spouse, parent or child who has been living in another country. Love, family, and personal achievement may return to the forefront of your priorities, and you will feel fulfilled when you accomplish your personal goals.
The majority of the U.S. population is worried about the short-term and long-term effects of the coronavirus. Understandably, an immigration application may not be at the top of your “to-do list” during this unprecedented global event. Nevertheless, if you are healthy and available to commence the lengthy immigration process, consider doing so. Keep in mind that in times of trouble we must push even harder to succeed. Your decision to be proactive could have a positive impact on your immigration case.
Here at Casanova Law, a Wellington immigration law firm, we are still OPEN and AVAILABLE for phone consultations regarding immigration cases. Attorney Lourdes Maria Casanova, a native of Palm Beach County and the daughter of Cuban immigrants, is ready to assess your immigration case and provide guidance on how to proceed.
If you need legal help on your immigration case in the Western Communities (Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Greenacres) or anywhere else in Palm Beach County, Casanova Law has the passion and experience to meet your needs. Call us today at (561) 236-5340 or email us at info@casanovalawpa.com.
