Special Situations

Resources Related to Tractor-Trailer Tragedy in San Antonio, Texas

USCIS has discretion to take measures on a case-by-case basis upon request for those affected by the migrant deaths in the tractor-trailer tragedy near San Antonio, Texas. Due to the significant scope and extraordinary nature of this incident, USCIS has flexibilities available for individuals affected by this tragedy.

Humanitarian Parole
Those seeking parole into the United States for themselves or someone else to attend a funeral or provide emergency assistance to a family member can submit a request for urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit parole by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. The applicant should provide evidence of the relationship to the affected family member, a completed Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, and any other evidence required to support the parole request. Please write “San Antonio June 27, 2022” on the top right of the Form I-131 and include a cover sheet on top of the application package that indicates “San Antonio June 27, 2022.”

If you cannot pay the filing fee for the Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, you may request a fee waiver using Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. For more information on eligibility for a fee waiver and how to request one, visit our Additional Information on Filing a Fee Waiver webpage. We also have this page in Spanish. Please write “San Antonio June 27, 2022” on the top right of the Form I-912 and submit it with your Form I-131 package.

To request expedited processing, please email humanitarianparole@uscis.dhs.gov after submitting the Form I-131 package and write “San Antonio June 27, 2022” in the subject line. Please include a receipt number, if you received one, in your request. Please also provide the reason to expedite to include any time sensitive funeral arrangements or any other emergency events and, if available, include relevant evidence.

Parole Options Available for Individuals Assisting with Investigations
Federal, state, or local law enforcement or other government entities may contact the Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE) San Antonio Field Office for more information on requesting parole for individuals assisting with this investigation.

Special Situations Flexibilities
USCIS has discretion to take the following measures on a case-by-case basis upon request, if someone has been affected by an extreme situation, such as the recent tragedy. Please see our Special Situations page for more details on the following measures that may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:

Changing a nonimmigrant status or extending a nonimmigrant stay for an individual currently in the United States. If you fail to apply for the extension or change before expiration of your authorized period of admission, we may excuse that if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control;
Re-parole of individuals previously granted parole by USCIS;
Expedited processing of advance parole requests;
Expedited adjudication of requests for off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;
Expedited adjudication of petitions or applications, including employment authorization applications, when appropriate;
Consideration of fee waiver requests due to an inability to pay;
Flexibility for those who received a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent to Deny but were unable to submit evidence or otherwise respond in a timely manner;
Flexibility if you were unable to appear for a scheduled interview with USCIS;
Expedited replacement of lost or damaged immigration or travel documents issued by USCIS, such as a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), Employment Authorization Document, or Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record; and
Rescheduling a biometric services appointment.

Resources for Law Enforcement and Others Assisting Victims of Trafficking and Other Crimes
Information is available to law enforcement, healthcare providers and others on immigration options for victims of crimes. Specifically, USCIS has an overview of T/U/VAWA resources in English (PDF, 271.74 KB) and Spanish (PDF, 238.62 KB) that outline options for victims.

Resources for Law Enforcement and other government officials:

For more information:

Law enforcement officials and representatives of record can contact USCIS at 802-527-4888.
Law enforcement officials and other government officials who have questions about the T or U visa process can contact the T and U Visa Hotline for Certifying Agency Inquiries at 240-721-3333. Please note this hotline is for certifying agencies only.
All others should call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283.

Parole Requests in Response to the Shooting in Uvalde, Texas

If you are seeking parole into the United States for yourself or someone else to attend a funeral or provide emergency assistance to a family member affected by the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, submit a request for urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit parole by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. You should provide evidence of the relationship to the affected family member, a completed Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, and any other evidence required to support the parole request. Please write “Uvalde” on the top right of your Form I-131 and include a cover sheet on top of the application package that indicates “Uvalde.”

USCIS is exempting the Form I-131 fee for those requesting parole in response to the Uvalde shooting.

To request expedited processing, please email humanitarianparole@uscis.dhs.gov after submitting the Form I-131 package. Please write “Uvalde expedite request” in the subject line.

For more information on immigration help available to those affected by the shooting in Uvalde, please see our web alert and Special Situations webpage.

Natural catastrophes and other extreme situations can sometimes affect the processing of your USCIS application, petition, or immigration request.

USCIS has discretion to take the following measures on a case-by-case basis upon request, if you have been affected by a natural catastrophe or other extreme situation:

Extensions and Changes of Status

When applying for an extension or change of status due to a special situation that prevented your planned and timely departure, we may take into consideration how the special situation prevented your departure. If you do not apply for the extension or change of status before your authorized period of admission expires, we may excuse the delay if it was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control.

Fee Waiver

If you are unable to pay the fee for a USCIS service or benefit, you may request a fee waiver for certain forms by filing Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver.

Employment Authorization

Severe Economic Hardship to F-1 Students Caused by Unforeseen Circumstances

If you experience severe economic hardship because of unforeseen circumstances beyond your control, you may request employment authorization to work off-campus (if you meet certain regulatory requirements). See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9). Examples of unforeseen circumstances include (but are not limited to):

Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment (through no fault of your own);
Substantial fluctuations in currency value or exchange rate;
Inordinate increases in tuition or living costs;
Unexpected changes in the financial condition of your source of support;
Medical bills; and
Other substantial and unexpected expenses.

To apply, you must submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, along with a copy of your Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, and any other supporting materials to USCIS.

Your Form I-20 must include the employment page completed by your Designated School Official, certifying your eligibility for off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond your control.

If your request is approved, you may be able to work off-campus in one-year intervals up to the expected date of completion of your current course of study. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(ii).

Special Student Relief

Special Student Relief is the suspension of certain regulatory requirements by the secretary of Homeland Security for F‑1 students from parts of the world that are experiencing emergent circumstances. Examples of emergent circumstances include natural catastrophe, war and military conflicts, and national or international financial crises.

You may be eligible to apply for off-campus employment authorization if you:

Are the citizen of a country specified in a Federal Register notice;
Have been lawfully present in the United States for the period indicated in the Federal Register notice;
Have reported on time to your Designated School Official and been enrolled in a Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified school since the special situation;
Are currently maintaining F-1 status; and
Experiencing severe economic hardship.

Employers

All requirements for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, completion and E- Verify remain in place. E-Verify remains available to employers affected by special situations, both directly through the E-Verify web portal and E-Verify employer agents. If you have any questions or issues about using E-Verify from a remote location, please contact E-Verify Support at 888-464-4218 (for employers) or 888-897-7781 (for employees).

Employees

All Form I-9 requirements remain in place. If your documents were lost, stolen, or damaged, see the list of Form I-9 acceptable documents and receipts for more information on how to complete the Form I-9. You may also visit I-9 Central for more information.

Document Replacement
To replace a/n...	You must file a...
Green Card	Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Residence Card, or request interim evidence of permanent residence stamp (I-551 stamp) from a USCIS Field Office. You may file Form I-90 online.
Form I-94	Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document
Employment Authorization Document	Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

Failure to Appear for an Interview or Biometrics Appointment, or Failure to Respond to a Request for Evidence

If you did not appear for a scheduled interview or appointment, or did not submit evidence or respond to a notice or request in a timely manner for reasons directly tied to the special situation, you may show how the disrupting event affected your ability to appear for interview or submit documents as required.

Expedited Processing

If you need USCIS to consider your request for a service or benefit more quickly, you may make that request when filing or after you file. Read more about expedited processing on our website.

To learn how to request any of the above immigration services, visit the USCIS Contact Center webpage.

Last Reviewed/Updated:

07/15/2022