USCIS is reminding the public that they provide immigration offerings that may also assist people affected by unexpected circumstances such as natural disasters. Examples of unexpected instances include, but are not restricted to, the wildfires in the western United States and the latest building collapse in Surfside, Florida
The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:
- Changing a nonimmigrant status or extending a nonimmigrant stay for a person presently in the United States. Failure to practice for the extension or change before expiration of your authorized length of admission may also be excused if the delay was due to exceptional situations past your control;
- Re-parole of people formerly granted parole by USCIS;
- Expedited processing of advance parole requests;
- Expedited adjudication of requests for off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students experiencing extreme financial hardship;
- Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications, where appropriate;
- Consideration of price waiver requests due to an incapacity to pay;
- Flexibility for those who obtained a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent to Deny however were unable to submit proof or in any other case respond in a timely manner;
- Flexibility if you had been unable to show up for a scheduled interview with USCIS;
- Expedited alternative of misplaced or damaged immigration or travel documents issued by USCIS, such as a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), Employment Authorization Documents, and Arrival/Departure Record (Form I-94); and
- Rescheduling a biometrics appointment.
Note: When making a request, please provide an explanation for how the impact of unexpected circumstances, such as a natural disaster, created a need for the requested relief. If you misplaced all types of proof in an unforeseen circumstance, including clarifications in your description and a copy of a police report, insurance claim, or other report, if available, to help your request.
