The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the closure of offices in much of the state of Florida due to the arrival of powerful Hurricane Ian, which made landfall on the peninsula's west coast on Wednesday as a major hurricane.
The federal agency said on its Twitter account that the hurricane's path "is affecting our operations in Florida" and asked those with pending paperwork or scheduled appointments to check the website to find out firsthand what changes may occur to their appointment due to the emergency.
Similarly, on the website, USCIS warns that immigrants should stay tuned for updates because the information varies regarding "offices that are closed or have temporarily changed their hours.".
Due to the climate emergency, various measures have been taken and a range of aid programs have been activated for those affected by natural disasters and other unforeseen circumstances. Among the programs covered by this measure are changes to nonimmigrant status or extensions of nonimmigrant stay for individuals currently in the United States.
The Citizenship Service clarified that, if you do not request an extension or change before the expiration of your authorized admission period, "we can excuse you if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control"; everything must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
Additionally, the following are included:
- If you have a scheduled appointment and USCIS offices are closed due to Hurricane Ian, the immigration service will reschedule it and notify you in about two to three weeks when you should appear to continue with your case. However, if you do not receive any notification, you should contact the agency and follow up on your case.
- Also, if you were forced to change your address due to the hurricane, you should fill out Form A-411 as soon as possible and submit it, or call USCIS at 1(800) 3675-5283 to register your new address.
Finally, the agency said that if you need help, you should explain “how the impact of unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster, created the need for the requested assistance.” If you lost all forms of evidence in an unforeseen circumstance, it is recommended that you include an explanation and supporting documentation to substantiate your request.
Climate emergencies are beyond human control. If you would like more information or guidance on how to access available assistance in this situation and avoid negatively impacting your immigration status, I invite you to learn about the services offered by AsisVisa. With us, you have a greater chance of achieving the American Dream legally and safely. If you have any questions…
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News report based on information from: Univision