Resources for Austin
Council member Greg Casar’s office has been compiling a list of resources for Austinites during the COVID-19 crisis. Please take time to look through this document to see what resources are available. It also includes information on current rules about evictions, utility payments, and more. That information can be found here:
Updates from Immigration
USCIS and the Consulates are currently closed to the public, which means interviews are suspended, as well as biometrics appointments. The Immigration Court has postponed hearings for people who are nondetained. Information on how long these suspensions will continue is on their websites. We will be advising clients of any interview or hearing cancellation as we are notified.
We can still submit applications to USCIS, and we are still receiving decisions on applications. Currently they are accepting photocopied signatures on applications, and not requiring original signatures. Some deadlines have been extended. In cases where people have had biometrics done previously, they are recapturing them and not requiring new appointments.
Please note that the stimulus payment and unemployment benefits do not count towards public charge. In addition, any testing or treatment for COVID-19 does not count towards public charge, even if public assistance is used.