January 22, 2010

USCIS Issues Memorandum Regarding Cases Impacted by Earthquake in Haiti

In a memorandum issued on January 15, 2010, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas outlined plans by the Agency to assist nationals of Haiti in the U.S. in the aftermath of the January 12, 2010 earthquake.

The memorandum calls for expedited processing of petitions submitted to USCIS by Haitian nationals. Applications for Change or Extension of Status filed by nationals of Haiti will be identified for immediate processing by USCIS Service Centers. Applications for Travel Documents will be processed as emergency requests. Requests for expedited processing will also be accepted from U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents who have filed a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of a Haitian child.

The memorandum addresses extensions of stay for Haitian nationals currently in the United States. USCIS Service Center Directors will have the discretion to accept Applications for Change or Extension of Status filed by Haitian nationals after the expiration of their status. The Agency’s District Directors will determine extensions of parole for those whose Forms I-94 are scheduled to expire between January 12, 2010 and March 12, 2010.

Additionally, the memorandum discusses employment authorization for Haitian students in the U.S. in F-1 status and the use of humanitarian parole by USCIS.

To access the full memorandum, please click here.