USCIS Reminds the Immigrants of Potential Relief Available for Those Immigrants Who Are Affected by Sandy Hurricane

USCIS reminds customers affected by Hurricane Sandy of certain U.S. immigration benefits or relief that may be available to them.

USCIS understands that a natural disaster can affect an individual's ability to maintain lawful immigration status or obtain certain other immigration benefits. Eligible individuals may request or apply for temporary relief measures, including:

• " A change or extension of nonimmigrant status for an individual currently in the United States, even when the request is filed after the authorized period of admission has expired;
• " Extension or re-parole of individuals previously granted parole by USCIS;
• " Expedited adjudication of off-campus employment authorization applications for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;
• " Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications; and
• " Assistance to Legal Permanent Residents (LPR) stranded overseas without immigration or travel documents, such as Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards). USCIS and the Department of State will coordinate on these matters when LPRs are stranded in places that do not have a local USCIS office.