U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that until Application Support Center’s are open back up to the public, it will reuse previously submitted biometrics in order to process certain work authorization applications.

When USCIS announced it would close it’s doors on March 18 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, immigrants protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, green card holders and others who needed to submit biometrics as part of their renewal process were left without guidance as to how to proceed with their biometrics appointments.

“If a DACA recipient applied to renew their DACA and work permit and either did not get a biometrics appointment before the Application Support Centers were closed or their biometrics appointment was cancelled due to the closure, will still have their renewal application processed,” said Supervising Attorney, Allison Davenport of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.

Davenport added that a decision from the Supreme Court on the DACA case is expected anytime this spring.

“The Supreme Court will rule soon on whether the Trump administration was correct in how it terminated DACA.  In case they allow the termination of the DACA program, it is important for all DACA recipients to renew their cases now because they may not be able to do so after the decision,” said Davenport.

“Renewing now also means DACA recipients will hopefully enjoy two more years of protection and a valid work permit even if there is a negative decision from the court and the program formally ends.” added Davenport. “It is critical for eligible DACA recipients to renew now. Many organizations are continuing to assist people with renewal applications remotely.”

The United Farm Workers Foundation is providing DACA consultations over the phone, they can be reached at (661) 324-3500.