Hurricane Harvey has wreaked havoc in Houston, Texas. Consequently, a lot of immigrants have been displaced unable to carry out routine functions including making appointments, meeting critical deadlines or just fulfilling pertinent paperwork that may affect their immigration or visa status. Keeping this in mind, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services offers immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances like Hurricane Harvey.
They are willing to evaluate each requested case and apply additional facilities to assist, expedite, or reschedule in any way they can. As in the case of the ongoing disaster in Corpus Christie, Texas, the distressed applicant will have to explain the disastrous impact Hurricane Harvey created – lost or damaged documents, for example – when requesting understanding and relief. They would have to call National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283.
The following measures may be available to victims of such situations –
- Changing a nonimmigrant status or extending a nonimmigrant stay for an individual currently in the United States. Failure to apply for the extension or change before expiration of your authorized period of admission may be excused if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control;
- Re-parole of individuals previously granted parole by USCIS;
- Expedited processing of advance parole requests;
- Expedited adjudication of requests for off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;
- Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications, where appropriate;
- Consideration of fee waivers due to an inability to pay;
- Assistance for those who received a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent to Deny but were unable to submit evidence or otherwise respond in a timely manner;
- Assistance if you were unable to appear for a scheduled interview with USCIS. Visa Interview Appointments on Path2usa.com gives a break-down on how to go about scheduling appointments;
- 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.
Special Situations gives more information on how USCIS can provide assistance to individuals affected by unforeseen circumstances.
