USCIS Notes “Temporary Immigration Relief Measures” for Persons Affected by Hurricane Sandy

USCIS issued a press release November 2 emphasizing its willingness to relax its rules and provide other temporary benefits in light of the disruption caused by Hurricane Sandy and related storms affecting the East Coast. These measures include:

• willingness to accept late filed applications for extension or change of status notwithstanding expiration of the current period of authorized stay;
• Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications genereally;
• Expedited adjudication of off-campus employment authorization for students experiencing economic hardship;
• Extension or reparole of persons previously granted parole status; and
• Assistance to permanent residents stranded overseas without immigration or travel documents.

USCIS has also indicated its willingness to extend deadlines for filing responses to requests for evidence necessitated by hurricane-related delays. Additionally, travelers in the U.S. on the Visa Waiver Program who have been unable to timely depart the U.S. as a result of the storm may be able to secure relief at a USCIS District Office.

Link: www.uscis.gov