The New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) is urging action be taken over apparent lapses in federal and state COVID safety protocols at the Peter Rodino Federal Building in Newark that jeopardize the health and safety of visitors.

In a Feb. 19 letter to the director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which has its Newark field office at the building, NJSBA President Kimberly A. Yonta wrote:

"Our members report that there are routinely unreasonably long lines outside of the building, suggesting that too many people are being scheduled to enter the building at the same time. We are advised users can be waiting in those lines for hours at a time, with no monitoring of mask-wearing or social distancing measures in the lines. In addition, despite written guidelines on the USCIS website, our members report that there is no health screening and no temperature checking before individuals enter the building, and noncompliant social distancing employed for users once inside. In many instances, individuals have no choice but to appear at the USCIS offices if they receive a notice to do so. They should not have to risk their health and safety to advance their immigration requests or protect their immigration status."

Yonta urged the USCIS to promptly address the concerns or raise them with the appropriate authority that can ensure compliance. Additionally, she wrote, "Where possible, we urge you to implement remote appointments by USCIS, consistent with remote state and federal court proceedings, to reduce the number of potential visitors to the building and ensure the safety of all involved."