Waiting for News from USCIS on Immigration Help for Those Affected by Hurricane Irma

While Texas is still recovering from the aftermath caused by Hurricane Harvey, this weekend, Hurricane Irma has caused widespread flooding, damages and chaos in many parts of Florida.

Previously, on August 30, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced immigration services to help people affected by unforeseen circumstances/disaster.  USCIS provided a specific example as those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

The August 30, 2017 temporary immigration reliefs from USCIS seem applicable to people affected by Hurricane Irma.  Hopefully, USCIS will clarify this.  This is important given the highly discretionary nature of these immigration services.

Services, announced on August 30, 2017, for individuals affected by disasters such as Hurricane Harvey are given on a case-by-case basis upon request, with an explanation on the impact of Hurricane Harvey causing a need for such services.  The services that may be available are:

* Changing a nonimmigrant status or extending a nonimmigrant stay for an individual currently in the United States. Non-timely extension or change of status may be excused if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the applicant’s control;

* Re-paroling individuals previously on parole by USCIS;

* Expedited processing of advance parole;

* Expedited adjudication of requests for off-campus employment authorization based on severe economic hardship for F-1 students;

* Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications, where applicable;

* Consideration of fee waivers due to an inability to pay;

* Assisting those with a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent to Deny but were unable to submit evidence or respond timely;

* Assisting those who are unable to appear for a USCIS scheduled interview;

* Expedited replacement of lost or damaged immigration or travel documents issued by USCIS, such as a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card); and

* Rescheduling a biometrics appointment.

September 11, 2017

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: seven zero three – 772-8224 & info at tiyaimmigration dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-772-8224;

https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net

Need help with green card, work visas, work permit, sponsoring family, sponsoring employees, sponsoring relatives, hardships or immigration waivers, U.S. naturalization/citizenship, and cases with USCIS, Department of Labor or immigration? We represent employers, companies, individuals, and families in U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law.  Our clients are based nationwide in the U.S. and internationally.  We represent diverse immigration cases including, but are not limiting to: extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM with U.S. Department of Labor; I-130 for sponsoring relatives and families; I-140 for employment green card; I-485 to adjust status; I-765 work permit/employment authorization; I-131 for international travel and returning to the U.S; I-601 extreme hardship waiver relatives of U.S. citizen or green card holder; I-751 joint filing or waiver; I-212 waiver for deportation or removal order; J waiver; H-1B professional worker/specialty occupation; H-2B temporary worker; L executive, manager and specialized knowledge professional transferring from overseas; E treaty investors/traders; B-1 business visitor to the U.S.; B-2 visitor to the U.S.; F-1 student coming to study in the U.S.; matters pertaining to consular processing with U.S. consulates and National Visa Centers; cases with USCIS; cases with U.S. Department of Labor; PERM audit; RFE Request for Evidence; NOID Notice of Intention to Deny; and many more.

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