Why Does Immigration Need My New Address?
If you have a pending immigration case, it is very important that the government has your current address. USCIS and the immigration court use your address to send important notices about your case, including requests for evidence, decisions, and, in some cases, hearing dates.
Moving does not change your immigration case, but failing to update your address can cause you to miss important information.
What Happens If I Move and Do Not Update My Address?
The biggest risk is simple: you may never receive a notice that is important to your case.
A person may think they do not have a hearing, a pending request, or an upcoming deadline simply because they never received the letter. But if the notice was sent to an old address, not receiving it does not necessarily mean that the obligation has gone away.
For that reason, do not wait for immigration authorities to discover your new address. Update it as soon as possible after you move.
Do I Need to Update My Address With USCIS, the Immigration Court, or Both?
It depends on where your case is pending.
If you have a case pending with USCIS, you generally need to update your address directly with USCIS.
If you have a case pending in immigration court, you also need to make sure the court has your current address. Updating your address with USCIS does not necessarily update your information with the immigration court automatically.
If you have cases pending with both agencies, you may need to update your address with both.
What Happens If I Do Not Receive a Notice Because It Was Sent to My Old Address?
Not receiving a letter does not necessarily mean that a hearing, deadline, or other obligation has been canceled.
This is one reason why keeping your information up to date is so important. A person can miss an important notice simply because they moved and did not report their new address.
If you recently moved and are not sure whether your address is updated with USCIS, the immigration court, or both, do not put it off.
Keep Your Address Up to Date
Changing your address may seem like a minor administrative matter, but in an immigration case, it can have important consequences.
If you recently moved, have a pending case, or are not sure whether the government has your correct address, contact Willberg Law to make sure your information is up to date and understand what you need to do in your situation.