Originally Posted by
GUWonder
It’s not sloppy reporting. It’s accurate, even as my words in that post were sloppy. Passport application acceptance is distinct from issuing passports.
Passport applications being accepted is not the same thing as issuing passports for applicants without documented “life and death emergency” accompanying the passport application.
Received passport applications without such emergency being documented end up in the file of applications set to the side for now and not to be processed for issuing a passport until some time in the future.
I don't agree with your interpretation. US state department site in a recent update is very clear that the family emergency stipulation is for in person applicants, that expedited processing is suspended, and that regular processing is only delayed, not suspended.