Immigration Help Available to Those Affected by Natural Disasters

The USCIS offers immigration services to those who have been affected by natural disasters or unforeseen circumstances. An example of such is the Marshall fire in Colorado.

Upon request, the following listed below is available on a case-by-case basis:

• For those in the U.S., changing a nonimmigrant status or extending a nonimmigrant stay. Delay in applying for extension or change before expiration of your authorized stay due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control may be excused;
• Re-parole for those previously granted parole by USCIS;
• Expedited processing for advance parole requests;
• For F-1 students, expedited adjudication of requests for off-campus employment authorization for those experiencing economic hardship;
• Fee waiver requests consideration due to inability to pay;
• Flexibility for those who were unable to submit evidence or respond in timely manner for Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny;
• Flexibility for those who were unable to appear for their scheduled interview with USCIS;
• Expedited replacement, such as Permanent Resident Card, Employment Authorization Documents, and Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, of lost or damaged immigration or travel documents issued by USCIS; and
• Rescheduling a biometrics services appointment.

When making a request, you must explain how the unforeseen circumstances created the need for the requested relief. If you don’t have any evidence due to the unforeseen circumstance, you must include in your description, an explanation and if possible, a copy of a police report, insurance claim, etc.

Make sure your address is up to date with the USCIS so that there won’t be delays in you receiving the correspondences and your case. You may visit USCIS’s How to Change Your Address page to update your address.

Please note that the information provided on this website is for general information purposes only and is not to be construed nor relied upon as legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. For a free consultation with Attorney Thomas M. Lee, please contact us.