When you are applying for citizenship, it is very important that you keep track of all of your documents and make sure to get all paperwork into the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on time. While these goals should be primary during your application process, there are times when disaster strikes. Maybe your house was scorched in a fire, or a flood damaged your property. Other times you may be caught in a tornado, hurricane, or earthquake. When you are involved in a disaster beyond your control, the USCIS wants to help. While this department puts emphasis on being organized and on time when applying for naturalization, they understand that there are times that you may need some assistance.
If you have been involved in a catastrophe that affected your application process, then you may be able to get an extension of change of status from the USCIS. You can only obtain this favor if you fell out of status for reasons that are beyond your control. The USCIS can then give you a longer amount of time to complete your paperwork, or change your status. You will have to file a request with the department in order to receive this generous allowance. In the request, you will want to explain how your immigration documents were directly affected by the disaster that you faced.
Sometimes, an immigrant can't pay the fee for a USCIS service or benefit. There are times that you can request that your fee be waived. To do this, you will need to file a Request for Fee Waiver, which is called a Form I-912. In this form, you will put in writing why you need the fee waived and how it would help you to do so. If you lost one of your important documents, there are times that the USCIS will replace it for you. The department will only do this favor if you lost the documents and it wasn't your fault. For example, if the document was burned in a fire, lost in a flood, or stolen, then you may be able to get a replacement. To replace a green card, you will need to file a Form I-90, which is also called the Application to Replace a Green Card. You can also request interim evidence of a permanent residency, called an I-551 stamp. These are normally available at any USCIS field office.
If you lose your Form I-94, then you will need to file a Form-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record. You will have to explain how you lost your form and why you believe you deserve a new one. Also, you may want to get an employment authorization document replaced. You will need to fill out a Form I-765 to get another one of these documents. If you abandoned your application process or failed to respond to a request for evidence, then you will need to talk to the USCIS. Interviews with the USCIS should be one of the most important things on your agenda, and should not be skipped flippantly. Yet if a tragic occurrence hindered you from attending, you can contact the USCIS and explain your situation.
When you are a foreign exchange student in the United States on a visa, you are only allowed to have a job on your school campus. Yet there are times that this is not enough. Maybe there was a natural disaster in your homeland that affected your economic support, or maybe some disaster occurred at your college and demolished your job opportunities there. In very rare cases, the USCIS may choose to grant students an employment authorization, so that they can work somewhere else. In order to receive an employment authorization, you will need to show the USCIS that you have been recommended for employment by the Designated School Official. Also, you will need to explain your direct relation to a natural disaster that occurred. You will also need to file for a Form I-765, which is called the Application for Employment Authorization.
You may also be able to expedite your application process if you need to get your citizenship papers fast. This normally costs a fee, but may be worth it if your residency depends on how fast your application is processed. Whenever you feel that you are in a special situation, contact the USCIS to explain why you should be given an exception. If the USCIS doesn't respond to your case, you may want to talk to an immigration lawyer. He or she can help you to figure out the best strategy to get your papers in and your application process underway, even if you've run into complications.