U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is updating its Policy Manual to clarify flexibilities that may be available to benefit requestors during and after an emergency or unforeseen circumstance.
The update explains that if certain emergencies or unforeseen circumstances present unanticipated challenges to immigration benefit requestors, USCIS may use its discretion to implement certain flexibilities relating to requests for extension of stay and change of status, applications for employment authorization, requests for document replacement, abandonment or failure to respond to requests for evidence, fee waivers, expedited processing, and satisfactory departure.
USCIS said that emergencies and unforeseen circumstances may include:
- Natural disasters (for example, hurricanes, wildfires, or other severe weather);
- National emergencies (for example, public health emergencies);
- Conflicts abroad; or
- Other unforeseen circumstances (for example, terrorist attacks, mass shootings, or cyber-attacks).
USCIS will inform the public of the availability of flexibilities through its Immigration Relief in Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances webpage.