USCIS Announces Immigration Relief Measures for Nepali Nationals

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the following immigration relief measures that may be available to Nepali nationals who are affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015:

• Change or extension of nonimmigrant status for an individual currently in the United States, even if the request is filed after the authorized period of admission has expired;
• A grant of re-parole;
• Expedited processing of advance parole requests;
• Expedited adjudication and approval, where possible, of requests for off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;
• Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications, where appropriate;
• Consideration for waivers of fees associated with USCIS benefit applications, based on an inability to pay; and
• Assistance in replacing lost or damaged immigration or travel documents issued by USCIS, such as Permanent Resident Cards (green cards).

Meanwhile, the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, along with 127 organizations, sent Jeh Johnson, Department of Homeland Security Secretary, a letter on May 5, 2015, calling for temporary protected status designation for Nepal due to the earthquake.