SIMULA Marso 18, 2020, ang USCIS ay nagsuspende ng mga routine in-person service sa mga field office, asylum office at Application Support Center para pabagalin ang pagkalat ng COVID-19. Ito ay epektibo hanggang Abril 1, 2020.
Dahil sa suspensyon, lahat ng green card at naturalization interview mula Marso 18, 2020 hanggang Abril 1, 2020 ay kinansela muna. Ang USCIS ay magpapadala ng mga bagong Interview Notice kapag nag-resume ang “normal” operations. Ganun din sa biometrics appointments at naturalization oath ceremony – magpapadala ang USCIS ng mga bagong Notice.
Bukod sa temporary closure ng mga USCIS Office, ang COVID-19 ay nagdulot ng issuance ng Governor ng State of California na si Gavin Newsom ng Executive Order N-33-20, epektibo ng hatinggabi ng Marso 19, 2020. Ayon sa Executive Order, lahat ng residente ng State of California ay kailangang manatili lamang sa kani-kanilang bahay maliban kung kinakailangan talagang lumabas para sa essential activities. Ang Mayor ng Los Angeles na si Eric Garcetti ay nagpahayag din ng “Safer at Home Order” epektibo rin ng Marso 19, 2020. Sa “Safer at Home Order”, lahat ng nonessential businesses ay pinapasarado at lahat ng residente ng Los Angeles ay pinapanatili sa kanilang tahanan para hindi kumalat pa ang COVID-19. Ang Los Angeles Order ay epektibo hanggang Abril 19, 2020, na may posibilidad ng extension.
Sa ilalim ng “Safer at Home Order”, lahat ng mga public at private group event at gathering ng 10 tao ay ipinagbabawal sa LA County. Ang mga indoor mall, shopping center at nonessential retail business ay kailangang magsarado. Ang mga grocery store, supermarket, food bank, at mga business at organization na nagbibigay ng pagkain, kanlungan, social service at iba pang mga pangangailangan o basic necessities ay maaaring manatiling bukas. Pwede pa rin ang take out at delivery sa mga restaurant. Ang mga gas station, banks at financial institutions, at mga transportation service ay maaari ring magpatuloy ng kanilang operasyon.
Sa Order, ang mga professional service tulad ng legal o accounting services, kapag kailangan upang matupad ang mga legally mandated activities ay itinuturing na essential businesses. Kaya’t ang aming opisina ay magpapatuloy sa mga trabaho upang magkapagcomply sa mga Court/USCIS deadlines, at magpapatuloy kami sa pagkonsulta sa mga kliente sa pamamagitan ng email, phone calls, at video calls.
Ngayon ay nabubuhay tayo sa hindi sigurado at nakakatakot na panahon dahil sa COVID-19 pandemic. Tayong lahat ay sumunod sa mga directives ng ating gobyerno upang malapasan nating lahat ang krisis na ito. Naway ang Diyos, sa kanyang awa, ay panatilihin tayong ligtas.
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Effective March 18, 2020, USCIS has suspended routine in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices and Application Support Centers to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The suspension is effective until at least April 1, 2020.
In connection with the above suspension, all green card and naturalization interviews from March 18, 2020 up to April 1, 2020 are cancelled. USCIS will mail new Interview Notices when “normal” operations resume. Likewise, for biometrics appointments, a new appointment notice will be mailed by USCIS. For naturalization oath ceremony, a new oath ceremony notice will be mailed by USCIS.
Aside from temporary closure of USCIS Offices, COVID-19 has also caused the issuance by the Governor of the State of California, Gavin Newsom to issue Executive Order N-33-20, effective midnight of March 19, 2020, ordering all individuals living in the State of California to stay home except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of the federal critical infrastructure sectors. Likewise, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the “Safer at Home Order” effective March 19, 2020, which orders nonessential businesses to close and residents to stay at home as much as possible to help contain COVID-19. The Order applies in Los Angeles until April 19, with the possibility of extension.
Under the “Safer at Home Order”, all public and private group events and gatherings of 10 people or more are prohibited in LA County. Indoor malls, shopping centers and nonessential retail businesses must close. Grocery stores, supermarkets, food banks, businesses and organizations that provide food, shelter, social services and other necessities are allowed to remain open. Take out and delivery at restaurants can still be done. Likewise, gas stations, banks and financial institutions and transportation services can continue their operations.
Under the Order, professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities, are considered as essential businesses. Hence, our office will continue to work on legal matters to meet Court/USCIS deadlines, and continue to consult with clients through email, phone calls, and video calls.
Right now, we are living in uncertain and frightening times due to COVID-19 pandemic. We are all mandated to comply with directives of our government so that we can all get through this together. May God, in his mercy, keep us all safe.
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ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is the principal of SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C. She has been a member of the State Bar of California for over 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for over 20 years. Atty. Samson received her Legal Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School. She was a Professor for over 10 years, teaching Obligations and Contracts, Labor Laws and Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty Samson is the author of The Law on Obligations and Contracts (2016), Working with Labor Laws-Revised Edition (2014) and Working with Labor Laws (2005).
SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C., 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010; Phone: (213) 381-5710; Email:[email protected]” [email protected].
