Uscis, Office Closures, Hazardous Weather Shut Multiple Midwest Offices

(CHICAGO) — As of January 23, 2026, a monster winter storm has caused USCIS Field Offices and Application Support Centers (ASCs) to close in multiple states, making real-time status checks essential for biometrics appointments and in-person services.

Hazardous weather “office closures” can affect several appointment types at once. That includes interviews, biometrics (ASC), InfoPass-style appointments, and other in-person services tied to a specific facility.

Conditions can also change fast. An office that appears open the night before may close the next morning, or reopen with reduced hours. USCIS warns that facility status is not a one-time check. The agency’s closure list is updated in real time, and it is designed to be checked on the day you travel.

1) Overview and latest update: what closures mean during hazardous weather

Start by matching your appointment to the correct facility type. A Field Office appointment is usually an interview or another case-related service. An ASC appointment is for biometrics.

The steps you take next can differ. USCIS also emphasizes that its public closure list is not a complete directory of offices. The agency puts it plainly:

“This page does not contain a list of all USCIS offices. It lists only offices that are closed or have temporarily changed hours. Please check this page on the day of your appointment for any office closures or other important information.”

That last sentence is the key instruction. Check on the day. Then check again before you leave.

2) USCIS Field Office closures: what to do about interviews and in-person services

Field Office closures most often disrupt interviews and scheduled in-person services tied to your case. For January 23, 2026, closures are concentrated in the Midwest, and the affected locations are listed in the table above.

Local time matters. USCIS statuses refer to the office’s local time zone, and your appointment notice time is based on that same local clock. If you are traveling across time zones, build in extra margin.

Winter storms can turn a normal drive into an all-day trip.

1. Confirm the facility status the same day. Use the USCIS Office Closings Page.
2. If your office is closed, reschedule. USCIS states:

   “If you scheduled an InfoPass or other appointment and the USCIS office is closed, you must reschedule a new appointment on your own as soon as possible.”

   That guidance is commonly applied to in-person appointments that require you to take action.
3. If your office is open, decide whether travel is safe. An “open” status does not guarantee safe roads or reliable transit.

⚠️ Check real-time USCIS statuses before travel and before arriving for any appointment; do not assume open status based on prior notices

No walk-ins are accepted. USCIS is direct on this point:

“We are not accepting walk-in visits right now. You must have a scheduled appointment before arriving at a USCIS office.”

3) USCIS Application Support Centers (ASCs): biometrics closures and what happens next

ASCs handle biometrics and related services, including photo and signature collection tied to your application. If your ASC is closed, your collection date will shift.

Some closures span more than one day. Fargo is a clear example, listed as closed January 22 and January 23. Multi-day shutdowns can happen when roads are impassable or when staffing is disrupted.

1. Confirm your ASC status on the day of the appointment. Use the USCIS Office Closings Page.
2. Save your appointment notice and screenshots. Keep a record of the closure status for your files.
3. Wait for the new notice if the ASC is closed. USCIS says:

   “If you have a biometric services appointment and your ASC is closed, we will automatically reschedule your appointment as soon as possible. You will receive a new ASC appointment notice.”

4. Watch your mail and your USCIS online account, if you have one. The next date is typically communicated by notice.

⚠️ Check real-time USCIS statuses before travel and before arriving for any appointment; do not assume open status based on prior notices

4) Rescheduling guidance and policy implications (biometrics vs. interviews/InfoPass)

Treat biometrics (ASC) and interviews/InfoPass as two separate tracks. Mixing the rules can cause missed steps.

A) If your ASC is closed (biometrics)

1. Do not try to “walk in” at another site. Walk-ins are not accepted.
2. Do not assume you must call to rebook. USCIS indicates the process is automatic when the ASC is closed.
3. Wait for the mailed notice. The policy statement is explicit:

   “If you have a biometric services appointment and your ASC is closed, we will automatically reschedule your appointment as soon as possible. You will receive a new ASC appointment notice.”

B) If your interview/InfoPass is affected

1. Reschedule yourself. USCIS instructs applicants to take action for InfoPass and similar appointments when the office is closed.
2. Use official channels only. Start with the USCIS website options. If needed, contact the USCIS Contact Center.
3. Do not show up without a scheduled appointment. USCIS says no walk-ins.

C) If the office is open but travel is unsafe

Bad weather does not always produce a closure. You may still be unable to travel safely. USCIS leaves room for hardship-based rescheduling in that situation:

“We may consider rescheduling if you can show that you could not attend due to the weather.”

If you cannot attend, document what happened. Save weather alerts, road closure notices, and transit cancellation proof. Then follow the rescheduling method that fits your appointment type.

✅ If your ASC is closed, you will automatically receive a new ASC appointment notice; if your interview/InfoPass is affected, reschedule via USCIS website or Contact Center

⚠️ Check real-time USCIS statuses before travel and before arriving for any appointment; do not assume open status based on prior notices

5) Significant context and forecast: why disruptions may spread

Weather impacts are not limited to the cities on today’s closure list. The same storm system has been described as a “monster winter storm,” and emergency declarations have been issued across 13 states.

Closures on January 23, 2026 are concentrated in the Midwest. Forecasts call for the system to surge across additional regions through January 24–25, 2026.

That can trigger a chain reaction even where an office remains open. Travel slows. Mail delivery can lag. Staff may be unable to reach the building.

Plan for secondary effects if you are waiting for a rescheduled notice or traveling in from another city. A delayed notice can mean you learn the new date later than expected.

6) Official sources and how to stay updated

Rely on USCIS channels for decisions about whether to travel and how to reschedule.

• USCIS Office Closings Page (primary status checks): USCIS Office Closings Page
• USCIS Newsroom (announcements and updates): USCIS Newsroom
• USCIS Contact Center (when you must reschedule or need help): 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833)

Check status twice: once before you leave, and once shortly before you arrive. Hazardous weather changes fast, and USCIS updates can change with it.

This article contains guidance on government procedures related to immigration and may affect legal rights; readers should verify status and consult official sources