Updated Measures for Relief for Victims around the World

Immigration issues often come up in political campaigns. This year, the candidates for public office have been asked about their views on immigration. Sometimes, candidates promise real reform and discuss pathways to citizenship; others blame immigrants for the nation’s problems; some try to sit on the fence. In the midst of this flurry of talk and proposals, people from around the world come to America seeking a better and brighter future. The story of America is largely a story of immigrants making the journey to America under trying, difficult circumstances, and working to build a better future for their families and themselves.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) and the Department of Homeland Security recently have made very important announcements concerning people seeking refuge from disasters – homemade and natural – in their own countries. Most recently, Homeland Security Secretary Johnson granted Temporary Protection Status to Yemeni nationals through March 2017. In early August, the USCIS extended their temporary relief measures for people from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands who were victims of Typhoon Soudelor. The extension will be valid up to November 2, 2015.

What these protections entail

According to the USCIS website, people affected by Typhoon Soudelor can apply for the following relief measures:

• “A change or extension of nonimmigrant status for an individual currently in the United States, even when the request is filed after the authorized period of admission has expired;
• Extension or re-parole of individuals previously granted parole by USCIS;
• Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications; and
• Assistance to lawful permanent residents (LPR) stranded overseas without immigration or travel documents, such as a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). USCIS and the Department of State will coordinate on these matters when LPRs are stranded in a place that does not have a local USCIS office.”

By extending these measures, our country may be able to help stranded immigrants and nationals regroup in the wake of the storm.

Temporary Protected Status, however, is different. This is granted to certain countries – in this most recent case, Yemen – where it might be too dangerous for a national living in America to travel home or be removed. Because Yemen “is experiencing widespread conflict and a resulting severe humanitarian emergency, and requiring Yemeni nationals in the United States to return to Yemen would pose a serious threat to their personal safety,” DHS has granted Yemen TPS – just as it did with Syria in January of this year.

The regulations in place for temporary relief, however, can be challenging to navigate without the help of a skilled Nashville immigration attorney. Whether you are seeking relief because your country is under siege or under water, or you wish to pursue a path to citizenship, the Law Office of Perry A. Craft, PLLC is here to help you.