A Guide to the Procedure at the USCIS Los Angeles

What Is the USCIS?

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a government agency under the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is responsible for processing and validating applications for immigration and naturalization and formulating policies that govern the lawful entry of aliens into the United States.

As a critical immigration authority, the USCIS deals with enormous volumes of immigration applications and inquiries regarding green cards, student visas, asylum, and other related issues daily. The agency has field offices in each state to make things easier and reduce the pressure at the central office.

These field offices perform limited but essential functions relating to the immigration and naturalization process, including immigration interviews and naturalization ceremonies. They also provide supplementary information to individuals beyond what is contained on their website. So if you have questions about any immigration process, you can contact the USCIS field office closest to you.

You’re in luck if you live in Los Angeles (LA). The USCIS has an LA field office that can serve you if you have a green card interview coming up or you have concerns about any other immigration-related issue. The information given here can help you understand how the LA field office operates and the services rendered there so you can adequately prepare for your visit.

Read on to learn more.

How to Contact the USCIS Los Angeles

If you have questions about your case and the information on the USCIS website is insufficient, call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY: 1-800-767-1833).

You can also visit the Los Angeles USCIS field office at 300 North Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. However, USCIS permits in-person visits only for critical issues that cannot be resolved via telephone with a customer service consultant.

Helpful Tips About Attending Your USCIS Field Office Appointment in Los Angeles

The tips below can help you prepare for your USCIS field office appointment and make the experience more accessible.

• Your local USCIS office may temporarily suspend its services due to unpleasant weather or other unexpected events. Before leaving for the field office on your appointment day, confirm that the office is open to visitors so you don’t waste your time.

• Try to arrive at your appointment early, at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time or 30 minutes before your naturalization ceremony.

• You need to follow the USCIS COVID-19 guidelines. In areas with high COVID levels, visitors to USCIS field offices must wear face masks and practice physical distancing. Thankfully the COVID community levels for Los Angeles County as of March 2023 are low. This means wearing a mask at the LA field office is optional. If your appointment date is imminent, try to stay updated with the COVID situation in your area so you don’t break the rules.

• You cannot visit the USCIS or other federal buildings with weapons or firearms, even with a permit. If you routinely carry such items, please remove them from your handbag or pocket before your visit. You risk possible jail time under federal law if you proceed otherwise.

• Recordings of any kind are also prohibited at USCIS local offices during appointments. It is only possible to record your naturalization ceremony after obtaining specific permission.

• You will likely have to wait for a while during your visit. To make the experience more bearable, you can carry snacks and water bottles. You should leave your children at home if possible since minors are not allowed in the field office without an adult guardian.

• If you wish to have someone accompany you to your appointment, they must be able to present evidence of their identity and relationship with you. They should bring valid documents such as a driver’s license or passport.

• Finally, bring all the documents you need for your appointment. This includes copies of all forms in your immigration application and other evidence related to your case. Doing this will ensure the USCIS officers can quickly process your application and render their judgment.