USCIS reopens

Most of the US is now slowly coming back to life. Public spaces, state and federal offices, selected private businesses are now reopening, albeit in a more structured way. USCIS has issued the following guidelines as it officially reopened last June 4.

Visitors can’t enter a USCIS facility if they:

1.) Have any COVID-19 symptoms, including cough, fever or difficulty breathing;

2.) Have been in close contact with anyone known or suspected to have COVID-19 in the last 14 days; or

3.) Have been individually directed to self-quarantine or self-isolate by a healthcare provider or public health official within the last 14 days.

Visitors can’t enter the facility more than 15 minutes prior to their appointment (30 minutes for naturalization ceremonies). Hand sanitizer will be provided for visitors at entry points.

Members of the public must wear facial coverings that cover both the mouth and nose when entering facilities. If they don’t have one, USCIS may provide one or the visitor will be asked to reschedule their appointment.

There will be markings and physical barriers in the facility; visitors should pay close attention to these signs to ensure they follow social distancing guidelines.

Individuals may also have to answer health screening questions before entering a facility. Individuals are also encouraged to bring their own black or blue ink pens.

I have additional advice: Please check if the local office is closed because some offices and immigration courts are affected by ongoing protests and riots.

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By now you must have heard about what's happening in America right now. The prevailing news nowadays are the protests demanding justice for the death of George Floyd, who died of police brutality. Personally, I cannot bear to watch the video more than twice just because of its violence. Millions have seen this video which has stirred up the emotions and pain all black Americans endured through centuries of racism and discrimination. It’s been two weeks now that protests have been staged in cities across the US, some peaceful, some rowdy. Despite the unabated COVID-19 pandemic still lingering, that doesn’t stop large gatherings and the absence of social distancing in these protests.

Once protests are over, looters and rioters take over. Businesses, malls, convenience stores, public and private offices are ransacked and robbed. Worse, some policemen have been injured and killed after some incidents turned violent.

I have no problem with people protesting and exercising their rights to free speech. That’s a very good sign of a true democratic society. And we all should support and protect these rights. However, it’s just painful to watch that these rights and the very cause upon which they stand up for muddled by the brazen criminal acts committed by looters. There’s no justification for anyone to destroy businesses and properties, throw molotov bombs, rocks, and even kill policemen in the name of seeking justice for Floyd. The situation has gotten so bad that Trump has opened the possibility that the US military will be brought in to take control and dominate the rioters. I believe that this if this nightly mayhem keeps going on for a few weeks more, Trump can kiss his reelection aspirations goodbye. Voters may forgive him for other issues such as his response and handling of the COVID-19 crisis, but seeing the bedlam on TV and feeling unsafe for themselves and their families go down to the very depths of a voter's decision making.