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Government Agency Responses on Emergency Issues September 14, 2001 The American Immigration Lawyers Association has been discussing with the
relevant government agencies a great many immigration-related issues that have
arisen as a result of Tuesday's attacks on the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon. Most issues are still being worked out, but the following are
some conclusions that have been reached: ·
INS will liberally exercise discretion to accept filings that miss
deadlines (such as status expirations, RFE response deadlines, appeal deadlines,
etc.) as the result of situations created by the attacks. This includes
the lack of mail or courier service due to grounded air traffic and halted mail
service. AILA is working with INS to further refine how this is defined. ·
DOL and SESAs also will liberally overlook deadlines missed as the
result of situations created by the attacks. ·
(AILA has not yet received a response from EOIR on the deadlines
issue.) ·
DOL and INS will expedite (without the premium processing fee)
H-2B requests for persons to work on rescue, clean-up or rebuilding efforts in
the aftermath of the attacks. For requests going to the NSC, please mark
these petitions to the attention of Neil Jacobson. · VSC has offered to expedite cases for petitioners that were located in the World Trade Center (without the premium processing fee). We should have more information on the exact terms of this offer shortly. Again,
we wish to thank AILA for all of the assistance it has provided during these
difficult times. |
