The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced new guidelines offering relief to individuals whose immigration processes have been disrupted by unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters, health crises, or international conflicts.
Effective immediately, the guidelines, updated in the USCIS Policy Manual, aim to provide flexibility for those affected by events like the Israel-Hamas conflict, severe weather, public health emergencies, and other unexpected occurrences. The relief measures are available on a case-by-case basis, and individuals can request assistance by contacting the USCIS Contact Center.
To qualify for relief, applicants must have already filed a benefit request and received a receipt number. They are encouraged to explain how the emergency affected their immigration case and provide relevant supporting documentation, such as police reports or insurance claims.
For individuals impacted by natural disasters, USCIS will consider flexibility for those residing in FEMA-designated disaster areas. Proof of residence and an explanation of how the disaster affected the case are required for consideration.
USCIS also advises applicants to keep their address information updated to ensure timely receipt of correspondence and benefits, as changing an address through the U.S. Postal Service does not update the USCIS system.
Additionally, USCIS encourages individuals to create an online account to track their case status, file forms, and manage fees conveniently.
