ALERT: Changing Your Address with USPS Does Not Update Your Records with USCIS

The office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds that changing your address with the Postal Service (USPS) does not update their records. The warning applies to foreign nationals with cases pending before the agency and seeks to prevent loss of important immigration notices.

USCIS notes that USPS will not forward your correspondence either. For this reason, those who move must inform both institutions of the change and, if they have a case pending before immigration court, must also notify the immigration tribunal.

The Notice That Could Change a Case

The alert gained relevance following the case of Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, a Venezuelan shot by an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agent in Austin, Texas. According to The Texas Tribune, his attorney said a hearing was noticed at a previous address.

Garcés Pérez had updated his address with the immigration court, according to his legal defense. However, the notice was allegedly sent to his previous address and he did not appear at the hearing.

His attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, stated that the judge issued a deportation order in absentia. «It’s a very common outcome,» she told the media when describing similar situations in her legal practice.

USCIS, USPS, and the Court Perform Distinct Functions

USCIS administers immigration applications and benefits. Processes such as adjustment of status, permanent residency, work permits, or citizenship are handled there.

USPS, on the other hand, manages mail delivery. Its address change service can help you receive general correspondence, but it does not modify USCIS databases or immigration court records.

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) administers immigration courts. Its system requires a separate notice when a person changes their address or contact information.

The Deadlines That Must Be Met

USCIS indicates that foreign nationals generally must report their address change within 10 days of moving. The obligation has exceptions, such as certain A or G visa holders and some visitors under visa waiver exemptions.

For a case pending before USCIS, the agency recommends using the Enterprise Change of Address tool, known as E-COA. You can also submit Form AR-11, although the online process is typically processed more quickly.

The update must include each receipt number for a pending application. Otherwise, the change might not apply to all cases linked to the person.

What the Immigration Court Requires

Those with a case pending before a court must submit Form EOIR-33/IC. The Department of Justice explains that the notice must be delivered within five business days.

The process can be completed online through Respondent Access, by mail, or directly at the appropriate court. If the case is before the Board of Immigration Appeals, Form EOIR-33/BIA is used.

Updating your address with USCIS does not replace the EOIR-33. Similarly, submitting the court form does not automatically modify the information in a pending application before USCIS.

The Risk of an In Absentia Order

A deportation order in absentia can be issued when a person fails to appear at a properly noticed hearing. The problem arises when the notice reaches an outdated address or the person fails to receive it.

The Garcés Pérez case demonstrates the human impact of a notification error. According to his attorney, lack of knowledge about the hearing preceded the immigration order that later appeared in his file.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the orders were issued in absentia. It also maintained that a person’s legal obligations do not end by changing residence.

What to Do After Moving

First, update your address with USPS for general mail. Then, access your USCIS account and use E-COA to modify the information for each pending case.

If you do not have access to the tool, submit Form AR-11 according to USCIS instructions. Keep screenshots, receipts, confirmation numbers, and copies of everything you sent.

If you have a hearing or case file before a court, submit the EOIR-33/IC within the required timeframe. Also check the case status in official systems and consult with an immigration attorney or accredited representative if you received an in absentia order.

Updating your address does not by itself change your immigration status. However, it can determine whether a person receives a hearing, decision, work permit, or evidence request on time.