| Jennifer Hopkins | September 12, 2005 |
There have been a number of recent immigration-related announcements, contacts, and instructions given in the last week for victims of Hurricane Katrina and their loved ones.
- USCIS reports that the New Orleans District Office sustained no damage and all records and files have been secured and will be transferred to the temporary location. The USCIS New Orleans District Office has been temporarily located to: USCIS Sub-office at 842 Virginia Run Cove in Memphis, TN 38134. Other offices in the region are located at: 1) 100 West Capitol St. Jackson, MS 39269, and 2) 4966 Old Greenwood Rd. Ft. Smith, AR 72903.
- For those who have lost travel documents as a result of Hurricane Katrina, the State Department has general instructions on how to comply with the requirements regarding lost travel documents: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_2009.html.
- Disaster Assistance: Food, shelter, cash payments, loans, and other help for victims of major disasters - published by the National Immigration Law Center in the Guide to Immigrant Eligibility for Federal Programs.
- The State Department (DOS) has stated that priority appointments will be given to family members and "next of kin" of victims of Hurricane Katrina, as an increase in emergency requests for visa interview appointments are anticipated. The requests are limited to family/next of kin of victims.
- For those who are searching for loved ones who may have been affected by Hurricane Katrina, FEMA has compiled lists of "safe persons" at: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/, and click on "finding friends and information."
- J-1 Exchange Visitors whose programs have been disrupted by the hurricane should contact their program sponsor.
- Foreign Students:
- The website address for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which contains valuable information for international students pertaining to the problems caused by Hurricane Katrina, can be found at: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/. Some subjects addressed are: the 30-day reporting requirement, ability to find temporary housing, and the ability to transfer to another SEVIS-certified school.
- Additional important links are:
- List of Schools Impacted by Hurricane Katrina: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/katrina/open_schools.htm.
- FAQ for F and M Nonimmigrant Students Impacted by Hurrican Katrina: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/katrina/faq_student.htm.
- FAQ for DHS Certified Schools Impacted by Hurricane Katrina: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/katrina/faq_schools.htm.
- F or M Students currently studied at schools affected by the hurricane should begin by attempting to contact their designated school official. If the official is not available, the SEVIS office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement can be contacted at (202)305-2346 or SEVIS.source@dhs.gov. They will need to know the student's name, date of birth, SEVIS ID#, and school information.
- New F or M students who are unable to contact their school before the report date listed on their Form I-20 will receive a new report date and a new I-20 if the school is operational. The SEVIS fee will not be re-charged, but a new visa with the school's name annotated on it will need to be obtained.
- Links to Disaster Assistance Resources are available on the website of the National Immigration Law Center at: http://nilc.org/disaster_assistance/index.htm.