The U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro N. Mayorkas issued a memorandum last week to the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman on Recommendation 43. The recommendation pertains to the temporary acceptance of filed Labor Condition Applications for certain H-1B filings and excuse of late H-1B filings where the petitioner has documented an LCA submission to the Department of Labor (DOL) that was improperly rejected.

For USCIS Response, please click: USCIS Memo to CIS Ombudsman on Temporary Acceptance of Filed LCAs for Certain H-1B Filings

In line with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’) commitment to provide certain forms of temporary relief to those who are unable to return to Haiti at this time due to the earthquake, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have decided on the following:

• Implement procedures to adjudicate favorably, where possible, applications for change or extension of nonimmigrant status following the expiration of an applicant’s period of admission;

• Grant an additional period of parole or advance parole in appropriate cases;

• Authorize “F” nonimmigrant students’ requests for off-campus employment work authorization;

• Expedite the processing of advance parole (AP) application and relative petitions for minor children from affected areas; and

• Grant employment authorization where appropriate.

Explaining the steps being taken as part of the U.S. relief to Haitians in a guidance memorandum to USCIS adjudicators, the USCIS Associate Director Alejandro N. Mayorkas said that the guidance will apply to nationals and habitual residents of Haiti some of whom may fall outside the scope of TPS.

For full news, please click: More Immigration Benefits for Haitians