The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offers immigration services for people affected by natural disasters, including flooding, hurricanes, and fires, on a case-by-case basis and by request.
Measures include:
- Changing a nonimmigrant status or extending a nonimmigrant stay for an individual currently in the United States;
- Reparole 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 petitions or applications, including employment authorization applications, when appropriate;
- Consideration of fee waiver requests due to an inability to pay;
- Flexibility 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;
- Flexibility if you were unable to appear for 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 Document, or Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record; and
- Rescheduling a biometric services appointment.
Individuals who request help should explain how the unforeseen circumstances created a need for the requested relief. More information is available on the USCIS Special Situations page or by calling 800-375-5283; for people with disabilities: (TTY) 800-767-1833 or (VRS) 877-709-5797.