USCIS recently announced a change in field office processing assignments. In an effort to decrease processing times and backlogs for Forms N-400 and I-485, it will start shifting these cases between different USCIS field offices for adjudication. It remains to be seen if this will actually improve the prolonged processing times applicants are experiencing. And it’s hard to tell how the change will otherwise impact applicants and their attorneys. According to USCIS, this shift will not affect where applicants complete their biometrics appointments. Applicants will report for biometrics at the USCIS local office with jurisdiction over the applicant’s residence. However, applicants might be required to appear for interviews at a field office outside the normal jurisdiction. In other words, we don’t know if applicants will be required to endure lengthy travel, perhaps out of state, to attend an interview. This of course, could impact attorney travel time as well. Be aware that USCIS correspondence may be issued by a field office outside of the applicant’s normal jurisdiction. In light of these changes, applicants should carefully read the instructions on all correspondence received from USCIS, forward the correspondence to your Firm attorney, and contact your Firm attorney before taking any action.