Thousands of Filipinos may have been shocked to read the surprise announcement of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Wednesday that it would close its Manila office next month.

The USCIS handles family visa requests, international adoptions, refugee applications and the naturalization of US military service members who are not yet American citizens. Its Manila office last accepted applications and petitions on May 31, and full closure will happen on July 5.