Be Careful Who You Work With: Woman in Tampa Sentenced to Confinement for Unlicensed Practice of Law

Originally posted on ILW.com.

USCIS successfully prosecutes unlicensed immigration attorney thanks to tip from the Central Florida Chapter of AILA.

TAMPA – The efforts of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services led to the successful sentencing of a Tampa-area woman on September 18 to six months confinement, six months home detention and three years of probation for falsely using official seals of the United States.  Maria Virginia Constantinou pleaded guilty on May 29 to falsely using the seal of the Department of Homeland Security to perpetuate her unlicensed practice of immigration law and defrauding dozens of victims to pay her “legal fees” to help them obtain lawful immigration status.

USCIS learned about Constantinou’s activities from a tip from the local American Immigration Lawyers Association. That tip was investigated by USCIS’ Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate and resulted in subsequent charges against Constantinou.  Tampa and Orlando FDNS worked with agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to bring the case to prosecution.

“We at USCIS are proud to have generated this case for successful prosecution,” said Kimberly Dean, Chief of FDNS in the Southeast Region. “Constantinou victimized immigrants for personal gain and misrepresented USCIS. We are committed to combatting deceptive practices to ensure the integrity of our nation’s immigration system.”

According to court documents, Constantinou presented herself to immigrants in the Tampa Bay and Orlando areas as an attorney who could assist them with immigration proceedings with the U.S. government. In reality, Constantinou is not a licensed attorney.

Constantinou accepted payment from her victims based on the false statement that she would submit immigration paperwork for them. Constantinou would then produce documents that appeared to be from USCIS to the victims to make them believe she had submitted paperwork on their behalf. These documents were false and contained false seals of the United States. Constantinou never submitted paperwork to USCIS on behalf of her victims.

USCIS launched an initiative to combat the Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law with the goal of equipping applicants, legal service providers and community-based organizations with the knowledge and tools they need to detect and protect themselves from dishonest practices. Visit www.uscis.gov/avoidscams for more information.

Victoria Jaensch Karins is the current president of the Central Florida Chapter of AILA. For more information regarding this release please contact her via telephone: 941-366-9841.

Ten cuidado con quién trabaja

Condenan a una mujer quien ejercía la ley de inmigración sin licencia a seis meses de reclusión.

Originalmente publicado en ILW.com.

USCIS, con la ayuda del capítulo de la Florida Central de la Asociación Americana de Abogados de Inmigración (AILA) procesa con éxito a una mujer quien ejercía la ley de inmigración sin licencia.

TAMPA – Los esfuerzos de los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de EE.UU. (USCIS) llevó a la condena el 18 de septiembre a una mujer del área de Tampa.  Está condenada a seis meses de reclusión, seis meses de arresto domiciliario y tres años de libertad condicional por uso falso de sellos oficiales de los Estados Unidos.  Maria Virginia Constantinou se declaró culpable el 29 de mayo al uso falso del sello del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional para perpetuar la práctica no autorizada de la ley de inmigración y al estafar decenas de víctimas quienes le pagaron “gastos legales.”

USCIS aprendió sobre las actividades de Constantinou por un informe del capítulo de la Florida Central de AILA.  La investigación por el USCIS dio lugar a las siguientes cargas contra Constantinou.  Los Departementos Federales de Seguridad Nacional (FDNS) de Tampa y Orlando trabajaron con agentes de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE) para llevar el caso al juicio.

“Nosotros en USCIS sentimos orgullosos de haber generado este caso para su enjuiciamiento exitoso”, dijo Kimberly Dean , Jefe de FDNS de la Región Sudeste.  “Constantinou perjudicó a inmigrantes para beneficiarse personalmente y tergiversó a USCIS.  Estamos comprometidos con la lucha contra las prácticas engañosas para asegurar la integridad del sistema de inmigración de nuestra nación”.

Constantinou se presentaba a los inmigrantes en la Bahía de Tampa y Orlando como abogada que les podría ayudar en los procedimientos de inmigración con el gobierno de EE.UU.  En realidad, Constantinou no es un abogado con licencia.

Constantinou aceptaba el pago de sus víctimas basándose en la falsa afirmación de que iba a presentar documentos a inmigración en sus nombres.  Constantinou entonces producía documentos que parecían ser de USCIS para hacerles creer a sus víctimas de que los había presentado. Estos documentos eran falsos y contenían falsos sellos de los Estados Unidos.  Constantinou nunca presentó documentación al USCIS.

USCIS puso en marcha una iniciativa para combatir el ejercicio no autorizado de la ley de inmigración con el objetivo de dotar a los solicitantes, proveedores de servicios legales y de las organizaciones basadas en la comunidad con el conocimiento y las herramientas necesarias para detectar y protegerse de las prácticas deshonestas.  Visite www.uscis.gov/avoidscams para más información.

Victoria Jaensch Karins es el actual presidente del Capítulo de la Florida Central de AILA.  Para obtener más información acerca del acontecimiento, por favor póngase en contacto con ella a través del teléfono : 941-366-9841.

USCIS Releases New Memorandum on EB-5 Adjudications

USCIS released a memorandum on EB-5 Investor Visa adjudications recently which reviews many important points about the program and provides updates on certain procedures.

The EB-5 program will be 23 years old this year.  Congress passed it to create an incentive for wealthy foreigners to invest and create jobs in the US.  Investors contribute $1 million dollars or more and are placed in conditional permanent (Green Card) resident status for 2 years.  If, at the end of 2 years, the immigrant-investor meets the requirements of the EB-5 program, they can obtain unconditional lawful permanent resident status.

In 1993 Congress amended the law to allow for Regional Centers.  These are investment projects where immigrants can pool their money and the center is responsible for creating the jobs.

USCIS adjudicates EB-5 cases according to the preponderance of evidence standard of proof.  As opposed to the “clear and convincing” and “beyond a reasonable doubt” standards that apply in other legal matters, preponderance of evidence merely requires that the applicant show that what they claim is more likely to be so than not so.  If the applicant submits enough evidence to prove that what they claim is more likely than not or probably true, then they will satisfy the standard of proof.

There are 3 elements of the EB-5 program:

1. The immigrant invests capital (must be acquired lawfully and can include equipment, other property, and promissory notes.  The amount must be no less than $1,000,000 – or $500,000 in “Targeted Employment Areas” – and must be invested in a single commercial enterprise)
2. A new commercial enterprise (must be a commercial enterprise that was established or restructured after 1990)
3. The creation of US jobs (the investment must lead to at least 10 new US jobs)

Every step must be documented and requires a preponderance of evidence in order to be met satisfactorily.

USCIS also has forms that need to be filled out:

• Form I-526 must be filed with the evidence documenting the immigrant’s investment in a new commercial enterprise.
• If the immigrant wishes to invest in a regional center, that regional center must be approved.  Part of the approval includes filing Form I-924 together with supporting evidence

Read the entire USCIS Memo on EB-5 Adjudication by clicking the link.

Related Articles:

• How to qualify for an investor visa through commercial real estate investments
• These Sarasota professionals can help you make smart investments
• New provisions in Immigration Reform Bill for investors

ALERT! New USCIS Green Card Fee

(From USCIS Website)

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Implementation of New USCIS Immigrant Fee Feb. 1

New fee allows USCIS to recover the costs of processing immigrant visas after individuals receive their visa packages from the Department of State abroad

WASHINGTON—On Feb. 1, 2013, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin collecting a new USCIS Immigrant Fee of $165 from foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in the United States.  This new fee was established in USCIS’s final rule adjusting fees for immigration applications and petitions announced on Sept. 24, 2010.

USCIS has worked closely with the Department of State (DOS) to implement the new fee which allows USCIS to recover the costs of processing immigrant visas in the United States after immigrant visa holders receive their visa packages from DOS.  This includes staff time to handle, file and maintain the immigrant visa package, and the cost of producing and delivering the permanent resident card.

In order to simplify and centralize the payment process, applicants will pay online through the USCIS website after they receive their visa package from DOS and before they depart for the United States. DOS will provide applicants with specific information on how to submit payment when they attend their consular interview.  The new fee is in addition to fees charged by DOS associated with an individual’s immigrant visa application.

USCIS processes approximately 36,000 immigrant visa packages each month.  Prospective adoptive parents whose child will enter the United States under the Orphan or Hague processes are exempt from the new fee.

For more information visit our USCIS Immigrant Fee webpage.

USCIS Alert in the Wake of Hurricane Sandy

From the USCIS:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds customers affected by Hurricane Sandy of certain U.S. immigration benefits or relief that may be available to them.

USCIS understands that a natural disaster can affect an individual’s ability to maintain lawful immigration status or obtain certain other immigration benefits. Eligible individuals may request or apply for temporary relief measures, including:

• A change or extension of nonimmigrant status for an individual currently in the United States, even when the request is filed after the authorized period of admission has expired; 
• Extension or re-parole of individuals previously granted parole by USCIS; 
• Expedited adjudication of off-campus employment authorization applications for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship; 
• Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications; and 
• Assistance to Legal Permanent Residents (LPR) stranded overseas without immigration or travel documents, such as Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards). USCIS and the Department of State will coordinate on these matters when LPRs are stranded in places that do not have a local USCIS office. 

For more information, visit the USCIS website.

Deferred Action Statistics up to October 10, 2012

We would like the share the latest statistics on Deferred Action:

Deferred Action applications accepted for processing: 179,794
Number of biometric services appointments scheduled: 158,408
Number of Deferred Action requests under review: 6,416
Number of requests approved: 4,591

Sarasota Immigration Attorney Victoria Jaensch Karins

First Deferred Action Cases Are Approved!

USCIS announced that they began accepting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals cases.  

Sarasota Immigration Attorney Victoria Jaensch Karins

USCIS announced that they have begun approving Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals cases.

Sarasota Immigration Attorney Victoria Jaensch Karins says this is great news.  It means that USCIS is moving more quickly on these cases than anticipated.

Deferred Action could help hundreds of thousands of people who are currently living in constant fear of deportation.  Once granted, it can open the door to quite a few possibilities.  For one thing, those who are granted Deferred Action and employment authorization receive a valid Social Security number.  Secondly, they can apply for Advance Parole which may allow them to travel out of the country.  Lastly, being granted Deferred Action allows individuals to apply for a valid Driver License.

All of these are good benefits.  The Driver License will help all those who cannot drive legally at the moment due to their status.  The Social Security number helps all those who are currently using a false number in order to work.  It is possible that Advance Paroles will allow Deferred Action grantees to travel.  It may be additionally helpful for those who are married to US-citizen spouses because it could allow them to submit their green card applications in the U.S. rather than going through the lengthy waiver process at a U.S. consulate abroad.

Despite this, we have noticed some hesitancy among potential applicants.  We understand that there are two major reasons for this hesitancy.  Some fear that applying for Deferred Action will increase the possibility of deportation since they will be declaring themselves to the government.  Others have voiced a more general concern; is it worth applying?  This is a good question because there is a possibility that this new policy will not be extended which would  deny applicants the ability to renew after 2 years.

We can assure applicants that the USCIS has stated that it will not share their information with the enforcement bureau, ICE, except in certain situations relating to criminal matters, fraud or national security.  In addition, we believe that the potential benefits of Deferred Action outweigh the costs.  The possibility of obtaining a Social Security number and a valid Driver License, not to mention the opportunity to apply for Advance Parole, are benefits that applicants may not be presented with again.

Regardless of the reason for applying, we once again urge all potential applicants to ask a legal professional to help them.  We have heard many questions regarding the application for Deferred Action.  “Should I include all my Social Security numbers?”  “How do I prove residency?” Etc.  Unfortunately, there are many “notarios” who are trying to defraud applicants the way they did back in 2001 with the extension of law 245(i).  Please seek the help of an experienced and ethical immigration attorney in order to avoid this situation.

Related Articles:

1. Those granted Deferred Action can Apply for Advance Parole!
2. How to deal with the Social Security number issue.
3. Como debo responder si he usado un numero de Seguro Social falso?

Those Granted Deferred Action Can Apply for Advance Parole!

Sarasota Immigration Attorney Victoria Jaensch Karins

The granting of Deferred Action does not lead to any status or path to permanent residence. However, the USCIS has stated that those who are granted Deferred Action will be able to apply for a travel document called “Advance Parole” if they can show a good reason for the need to travel (e.g. humanitarian, education or work related).

This is a potentially great benefit to those who entered without inspection (EWI) and are married to US citizens. EWI’s married to US citizens are not currently eligible to obtain their green cards in the U.S. They must apply from their home country. Usually the return to the home country triggers the 3 to 10 year bar.

But now, people who are “paroled” in the U.S. based on the advance parole documents ARE eligible to obtain their green cards in the U.S.

Therefore, a person granted deferred action who also receives an advance parole would be able to obtain their green card through their US citizen spouse in the U.S. within 3-4 months of filing and would not require a waiver application.

I do not advise anyone who is granted Deferred Action to leave the U.S. with a travel document before first confirming that they will be able to come back to the U.S. In the coming months, we will see how this issue plays out.

Observaciones iniciales despues de una semana de consultas sobre Accion Diferida

Ha pasado una semana desde que se puso en efecto la nueva política de la acción diferida y queremos compartir algunas de nuestras observaciones despues de ver el proceso en efecto.

Para empezar, estamos impresionados con la cantidad de personas que quieren solicitar la acción diferida. Estos días hemos estado asesorando a solicitantes potenciales, estableciendo si son elegibles o no, y empezando a prepar solicitudes.

Acción Diferida y los números de Seguro Social:

Uno de los asuntos que encontramos es el uso de números multiples de Seguro Social. Dado que el formulario I-765 (solicitud de autorización de empleo) pide todos los numeros de Seguro Social que se ha usado, esto puede presentar problemas.

En este momento no hay ningunos casos de prueba que nos puedan demostrar como va a tratar el USCIS este asunto. No sabemos por completo las implicaciones de usar números multiples o falsos de Seguro Social. Si alguien lo ha hecho, les recomendamos que ejerzan prudencia en el proceso de solicitud. No podemos garantizar aprobación pero sabemos que el USCIS está revisando las solicitudes caso por caso.

Recien Anunciados Requisitos para la Accion Diferida

1. El USCIS comenzará a aceptar solicitudes para la acción diferida el 15 de agosto del 2012. Habrá una nueva forma que tendrá a su disposición a partir de esa fecha.
2. El gobierno va a cobrar una tasa por procesamiento de $465.
3. El gobierno va a aceptar las solicitudes de autorización de trabajo con la aplicación de la acción diferida, pero hay que demostrar una necesidad económica para ello.
4. Si la acción diferida es aprobada, usted será elegible para solicitar un documento de viaje que le permitirá viajar fuera de los EE.UU.
5. El anuncio se define lo que son delitos y que son faltas importantes que prohiban a los solicitantes. Lo más importante es que DUIs serán considerados delitos importantes, pero algun delito menor de tráfico, como conducir sin una licencia no va a ser considerado asi.
6. El solicitante tiene que estar matriculado en la escuela secundaria, tener un diploma de escuela secundaria o un GED en el momento de la presentación de la solicitud.
7. Creemos que lo mejor es presentar tan pronto como sea posible para evitar los retrasos que se esperan debido a la cantidad de solicitantes
8. No hay opción de un procesamiento más rápido. No pague a nadie para manejar la aplicación que se compromete a obtener más rápido el proceso de su acción diferida para una tasa más elevada
9. No habrá apelaciones o solicitudes de reconsideración de las solicitudes denegadas.
10. El Gobierno describe los documentos que tendrán que ser proporcionados para cumplir los requisitos de la accion diferida. Los requisitos son los siguientes:
    1. Tener menos de 31 años a partir del 15 de junio 2012.
    2. Haber venido a los EE.UU. antes de alcanzar la edad de 16 años.
    3. Estar físicamente en los EE.UU. el 15 de junio de 2012 y en el momento de presentar la solicitud.
    4. Haber residido continuamente en los EE.UU. desde el 15 de junio de 2007 a la actualidad.
    5. Estar en la escuela secundaria, haberse graduado, haber obtenido un GED o haber sido dado de alta honorablemente de las fuerzas armadas de EE.UU.
    6. No haber sido condenado por un delito grave, delito menor significativo, ni tres o más ofensas, y de ningun modo presentar una amenaza para la seguridad nacional o seguridad pública.

Deferred Action Requirements

Sarasota Immigration Attorney Victoria Jaensch Karins

Immigration Attorney Victoria Jaensch Karins offers answers to questions concerning the new Deferred Action policy.

As the date of implementation of the new deferred action policy draws near more details about requirements for the application are being released. I recently returned from a meeting concerning the requirements for  Deferred Action and wanted to share information from that meeting. There are still some questions and as we learn more we will add it to the blog. In the meantime, readers can go to www.uscis.gov/childhoodarrivals to find out more.

 Q: When will USCIS begin accepting applications for Deferred Action?

• August 15, 2012.

Q: What will a Deferred Action applicant need to demonstrate?

1. Applicant under age 31 as of 6/15/2012.
2. Came to US before age 16.
3. Continuous residence as of 6/15/2007 for 5 years and physical presence at time of filing.
4. Entered without inspection or status expired prior to 6/15/ 2012.
5. Currently enrolled in school, high school diploma, GED, or honorable discharge from military.
6. Enrollment in school or GED can be after 6/15/2012 so long as it is as of date of filing
7. Not convicted of felony, significant misdemeanor or 3 or more misdemeanors.

Q: How old can I be to apply?

• Applicants must be over 15 to file unless in removal.

Q: Does significant misdemeanor include a DUI?

• Yes.

Q: If I apply and am denied, will I be in danger of deportation?

• No. Information on the application (including information on family members) will not be disclosed to ICE or CBP for removal purposes – in other words, applicants and their family members will not be placed in removal just because they apply and are denied for some reason. However, they will exercise prosecutorial discretion where there are issues of national security, criminal offenses, etc.

Q: What will the cost of applying be?

• Total fee will be $465

Q: Can the fee be waived?

• No fee waivers but there are fee exemptions for certain situations. Fee exemption must be requested prior to applying for Deferred Action (but not prior to 8/15)

Q: Will I need to get my fingerprints taken?

• Yes, applicants will have to get biometrics.

Q: Will there be an interview?

• There will be no interview, except in some cases were fraud may be indicated or for quality control purposes.

Q: If I apply and am denied can I appeal?

• There will be no review or appeal of denials.

Q: Can I apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) at the same time?

• EADs can be applied for at the same time as Deferred Action and will be granted also for two years. Must show economic need

Q: Can I renew my Deferred Action status?

• Renewals of Deferred Action and Employment Authorization Documents will be available in two year increments

See these other articles for more information:

1. “USCIS Aceptará Solicitudes Para Acción Diferida el 15 de Agosto”
2. “Deferred Action Applicants Should Collect Student Records Now“
3. “Sarasota Immigration Attorneys Welcome Deferred Action Announcement”

USCIS Will Begin Accepting Deferred Action Applications on August 15th

From USCIS.gov

DHS Outlines Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process

USCIS to begin accepting requests for consideration of deferred action on August 15, 2012

released Aug. 3, 2012

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security today provided additional information on the deferred action for childhood arrivals process during a national media call in preparation for the August 15 implementation date.

On June 15, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced that certain young people who came to the United States as children and meet other key guidelines may be eligible, on a case-by-case basis, to receive deferred action.  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is finalizing a process by which potentially eligible individuals may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

USCIS expects to make all forms, instructions, and additional information relevant to the deferred action for childhood arrivals process available on August 15, 2012. USCIS will then immediately begin accepting requests for consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals.

Information shared during today’s call includes the following highlights:

• Requestors – those in removal proceedings, those with final orders, and those who have never been in removal proceedings – will be able to affirmatively request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals with USCIS.
• Requestors will use a form developed for this specific purpose.
• Requestors will mail their deferred action request together with an application for an employment authorization document and all applicable fees to the USCIS lockbox.
• All requestors must provide biometrics and undergo background checks.
• Fee waivers cannot be requested for the application for employment authorization and biometric collection. However, fee exemptions will be available in limited circumstances.
• The four USCIS Service Centers will review requests.

Additional information regarding the Secretary’s June 15 announcement will be made available here on August 15, 2012. It is important to note that this process is not yet in effect and individuals who believe they meet the guidelines of this new process should not request consideration of deferred action before August 15, 2012. Requests submitted before August 15, 2012 will be rejected. Individuals who believe they are eligible should be aware of immigration scams. Unauthorized practitioners of immigration law may try to take advantage of you by charging a fee to submit forms to USCIS on your behalf.

Victoria Jaensch Warns of Immigration Phone Scam

Warning: Immigration Telephonic Scam

“AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 12071935 (posted Jul. 19, 2012)”

AILA has received reports of a new scam potentially victimizing aliens. According to one report, the individual will receive a call purporting to be from a USCIS officer, who will have certain correct information on the individual, including the individual’s name and address. The caller will state that there is some discrepancy in USCIS records, and ask for confirmation of data, such as an I-94 number, an “A” number, or a visa control number. The caller will then tell the individual that there is a penalty for not clearing up the discrepancy, and that the individual is to send a sum of money via Western Union, to an address the caller provides. Be on alert that your clients may be receiving such calls, and if they do, report them to appropriate law enforcement authorities, which may include the FBI, and to the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, whose Consumer Sentinel database is accessed by criminal and civil law enforcement authorities worldwide.

H1-B Cap Reached

FY 2013 H-1B Cap

On June 11, 2012, USCIS received a sufficient number of petitions to reach the statutory cap for FY 2013.  On June 7, 2012, USCIS also received more than 20,000 H-1B petitions on behalf of persons exempt from the cap under the advanced degree exemption.  USCIS will reject petitions subject to the cap for H-1B specialty occupation workers seeking an employment start date in FY 2013 that are received after June 11, 2012.

New USCIS Office Tampa Grand Opening

Attorney Chris Jaensch attended the grand opening of the new USCIS Office in Tampa today.  The building houses the Tampa Field Office (which handles infopass appointments, green card interviews, naturalization issues and other immigration business); and it houses the Application Support Center (which handles biometrics and fingerprints).

The office will conduct naturalization oath ceremonies every day in the building.  About 80 people can be naturalized per ceremony.  If they get busier, they will add a second or third ceremony per day.  The ceremony will not be the same day as the interview (but that may change in the future).  The new citizen can register to vote but cannot apply for a passport at the ceremony.

The USCIS is working a national solution to the issue of whether a condition resident can re-adjust based on marriage to a new person.

The Application Support Center officially does not take walk-ins.  If someone cannot make a biometrics appointment, they need to follow the instructions to reschedule.

There is an Immigration Support Officer at the Ft. Myers Application Support Center and clients can make an infopass appointment there.

The new USCIS phone number and address are:

(800) 375-5283

5629 Hoover Blvd

Tampa, FL 33634

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=5629+Hoover+Blvd,+Tampa,+FL&aq=0&oq=5629+&sll=28.000268,-82.533866&sspn=0.001976,0.001725&t=h&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=5629+Hoover+Blvd,+Tampa,+Florida+33634&ll=28.000325,-82.533669&spn=0.011102,0.013797&z=14&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

Important: The Tampa Immigration Office is Moving

The new address will be:

5629 Hoover Boulevard

Tampa, FL  33634

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=5629+Hoover+Boulevard+Tampa,+FL++33634+&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=37.735377,56.513672&t=m&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=5629+Hoover+Blvd,+Tampa,+Florida+33634&ll=27.980152,-82.506638&spn=0.106117,0.145912&z=12&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

ALSO, please note the following schedule changes:

Friday, April 12 through Tuesday, April 17th – No INFOPASS appointments are scheduled. The Tampa Field Office will be open for walk-in emergencies only.

Wednesday, April 18th – the Tampa Field Office will resume its normal INFOPASS schedule.

No interviews will take place between April 16th through April 18th. A normal interview schedule resumes on Thursday, April 19th.

Important note: Customers should report to the new building on Hoover Boulevard as of Monday, April 16th – even if an appointment notice or INFOPASS appointment indicates our old address on West Cypress.

In order to visit this office or to speak with an Immigration Information Officer, you must have an appointment scheduled by USCIS, or you must schedule an INFOPASS appointment, on the USCIS website.

If you have an inquiry and you live near Ft. Myers, you may schedule an INFOPASS appointment online to speak to an Immigration Information Officer at the USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) in Ft. Myers. No mail is accepted at the Ft. Myers ASC.

For more information go to the USCIS Website.