This brief provides all updates to USCIS services during COVID-19 pandemic.
The Trump administration is planning to extend border and travel restrictions initially put in place as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Immigrant advocates worry that these restrictions are rooted in efforts to limit immigration to the U.S. as opposed to an issue of public health concern.
Read MoreU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is requesting $1.2 billion from Congress to make up for lost funds since the onset of COVID-19 limits and immigration restrictions implemented by the Trump administration between the years of 2017 and 2019. On top of that, they plan to include a 10% surcharge for all USCIS applications. This comes as the Trump administration is planning to continue immigration restrictions.
Read MoreICE recently posed to 366 families in detention if they would rather separate from their children or remain with their children but forego Flores settlement protections, such as holding children less than 20 days in detention. All families agreed to remain with their children but felt intimidated by the question on new form from ICE.
Read MoreCenter for Disease Control and Prevention have announced a link between a serious condition found in children and COVID-19. Symptoms may include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, stomachache, vomiting, diarrhea, swollen lymph-nodes, swollen hands and feet, and redder than usual tongue. While the condition is rare, parents are encouraged to tell medical providers if children are experiencing any symptoms.
Read MoreAttorneys from various legal agencies sought a preliminary injunction with a federal district court to the “public charge” ruling that prevents immigrant families in need from accessing public benefits. “Public charge” rules grossly affect immigrant families from seeking health care, food, and housing assistance during the pandemic. Lawyers argue the policy is discriminatory and unconstitutional.
Since the onset of COVID-19, immigrant children – typically unaccompanied minors – are being deported at quicker rates that normal. Children are being sent back to dangerous situations with limited opportunity to contact their attorneys before their deportation.
Read MoreImmigrant Customs Enforcement (ICE) is asking parents in detention to choose between keeping their children in detention with their parents along foregoing their rights under the Flores settlement or separate from their children by removing the them from detention but not the parents.
Read MoreGiven school closures across the country, Congress created Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) to meet the nutrition needs of students who received free or reduced lunch. P-EBT is a critical resource for immigrant families who will not receive government stimulus checks. Government agencies need to target immigrant communities to spread the word and benefit of P-EBT.
© 2026 CICW.