From our friends at AILA:

USCIS Waiving In-Person Interview Requirement in Some Instances During COVID-19 Pandemic

AILA Doc. No. 20042061 | Dated April 20, 2020

Based on a limited number of responses to AILA’s Call for Examples, it appears as though USCIS is, in some instances, waiving the in-person interview requirement for some applicants and subsequently adjudicating applications. AILA received several examples of cases from mostly family– and employment-based adjustment cases in which applicants received approval notices and subsequently green cards without the need to attend an in-person interview.

In some of the examples, USCIS issued a Request for Evidence (RFE) requesting documentation such as medical exams, normally provided during an in-person interview. In many of these examples, a decision was issued shortly after receiving a response to the RFE. While there is no guarantee that a prompt response to these requests will result in adjudication without the need for an interview, based on reports provided from members, AILA advises members to swiftly provide any documents requested by USCIS.

AILA’s USCIS Field Operations Liaison Committee will continue to monitor this trend throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and will alert members to any changes that might occur.