USCIS reminds that help is available for immigrants affected by natural disasters

January 12, 2022

Photo: John Moore / Getty Images

The Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds the that offers immigration services that can help people affected by unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters.

USCIS is here to help in times of need. We offer a wide variety of immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters. For more information and resources we offer, visit: https://t.co/uGY11mU1yO

— USCIS (@USCIS) January 12, 2022

Examples of unforeseen circumstances include, for example, the Marshall fire in Colorado, which affected thousands of residents.

The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis, upon request:

• Change a nonimmigrant status or extend a nonimmigrant stay for a person who is currently in the United States. Failure to apply for the extension or change prior to the expiration of your authorized admission period may be excused if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control
New parole of persons previously granted by USCIS
Expedited Processing of Advance Parole Applications
Expedited Adjudication of Off-Campus Employment Authorization Applications for F-1 Students Experiencing Serious Economic Hardship
Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications, when applicable
Consideration of fee waiver requests due to inability to pay
Flexibility for those who received a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent to deny, but failed to present evidence or otherwise respond in a timely manner
• Flexibility, if you were unable to attend a scheduled interview with USCIS

Expedited replacement of lost 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 -19)

Reschedule a Biometric Services Appointment

Important instructions

When performing an application for assistance to USCIS due to unforeseen circumstances, explain how the impact of those unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster, created the need for the help requested.

If you lost all forms of evidence in an unforeseen circumstance, please include an explanation in your description and a copy of a police report, claim of insurance or other report, if available, to support your application.

Visit our Special Situations page or call for more information on how USCIS provides assistance to people affected by unforeseen circumstances. To find out how to request these measures, call 800-375-5283. For people with disabilities: (TTY) 800-767-2021 or (VRS) 877-709-5797.

Update your address with USCIS to ensure you receive all correspondence and benefits in a timely manner and avoid potential delays related to your case. To update your address with USCIS, visit the How to Change Your Address page. Please note that changing your address with the US Postal Service will not change your address with USCIS.

Visit the office closings page to determine if an office is open and for information on rescheduling appointments. In particular, if your InfoPass appointment was affected by a natural disaster, you can reschedule your appointment online or by calling the USCIS Contact Center.

All requirements of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, remain in effect. Those affected by natural disasters should visit I-9 Central for more information on how to complete Form I-9 if an employee’s documents are lost, stolen, or damaged.

It may interest you:

– The alert to certain immigrants about biometric data appointments in the face of USCIS changes

– USCIS extends deadline for immigrants to submit additional documents for ‘green card’ and naturalization

– USCIS accelerates renewal of work permits for medical personnel due to increase of cases of COVID-04