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Immigration
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen or legal resident to apply for disaster relief?
FEMA non-emergency disaster assistance and unemployment assistance programs are available only to U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, and qualified aliens (anyone with legal permanent residence, that is, a “Green Card”). If any member of the household is eligible, including a minor child, then the household is eligible, and FEMA states that no information regarding the status of non-qualified individuals will be gathered. Individuals not lawfully within the U.S. may qualify for emergency, non-cash, FEMA disaster assistance, including Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services, and other short-term, non-cash assistance. Furthermore, state and local agencies, and private organizations such as the American Red Cross, are not restricted from providing services to illegal immigrants. Contact the specific organizations for eligibility information.
I am not a lawful resident but my child was born in the U.S. Is my child eligible to receive disaster relief?
If you have a minor child who is a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien residing with you, you can apply for FEMA assistance on your child’s behalf. FEMA states that no information regarding your status will be gathered. You will be asked to sign a declaration that your child is qualified as a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien. You may also be required to provide his or her Social Security number.
My “Green Card” was destroyed by the wildfire. What must I do to replace it?
If your Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”) was destroyed, you must replace it as soon as possible. To replace your Green Card you must fill out a USCIS Form I-90. To fill out this form you must have your complete name, A number and Date of Admission. If you do not have this information, then make an appointment to see a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS” (formerly known as INS)) officer at www.uscis.gov. Then click on infopass. Once you have this information then fill out the Form I-90. All I-90 forms have to be mailed to this address: USCIS, Post Office Box 54870, Los Angeles, CA 90054-0870. You may also file the Form I-90 electronically if you have a credit card in your name or your spouse’s name. Form I-90 is available at www.uscis.gov by following the links for “Immigration Forms” or “Electronic Filing,” or you may call the USCIS Forms request line at (800) 870-3676. You may also pick up the form in person at the Los Angeles District Office in room 1001. The filing fee for the I-90 is $370.00. This includes an $80 biometric (fingerprint) fee. All checks or money orders are payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Once the Form I-90 has been received by USCIS a receipt will be issued within 1-2 months. If filing the Form I-90 electronically the receipt is generated immediately. In 2 months you will receive the biometric appointment. When you go to this appointment, you will also need to bring an identity document, such as a driver’s license, passport, or a copy of another document containing your name, date of birth, photograph, and signature. Processing time for the Form I-90 is 6-12 months.
How can I obtain “temporary proof” that I am a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident while my Form I-90 is being processed?
Once you have the Form I-90 filing receipt you may request what is known as an I-551 stamp. This I-551 stamp is legal proof of your lawful permanent residency status. This stamp is valid for travel and/or employment purposes. To request this stamp make an infopass appointment at www.uscis.gov. Bring your passport so the USCIS officer can place the stamp in your passport. If you don’t have a valid passport then bring 2 passport photos. The USCIS officer will create an I-94 document with the I-551 stamp.
My Naturalization Certificate was destroyed by the wildfire. What must I do to replace it?
If your Naturalization Certificate (Citizenship Paper) was destroyed, you must replace it as soon as possible. To replace your Naturalization Certificate you must fill out a USCIS Form N-565. To fill out this form you must have your complete name, A number and Certificate Number. If you do not have this information then make an appointment to see a USCIS officer at www.uscis.gov. Then click on infopass. Once you have this information then fill out the Form N-565. All N-565 forms have to be mailed to this address: USCIS, Nebraska Service Center, Post Office Box 87565, Lincoln, NE 68501-7565. Form N-565 is available at www.uscis.gov by following the links for “Immigration Forms” or you may call the USCIS forms request line at (800) 870-3676. You may also pick up the form in person at the Los Angeles District Office in room 1001. The filing fee for the Form N-565 is $380.00. All checks or money orders are payable to the Department of Homeland Security. Also include 2 passport photos with the form. Once the Form N-565 has been received by USCIS a receipt will be issued within 1-2 months. Processing time for the Form N-565 is 4-6 months. Sometimes the Form N-565 can be “expedited.” Use the infopass to speak to an officer about this procedure. Make sure you bring the N-565 filing receipt with you.
What must I do to replace a lost work permit?
To replace a lost work permit you must fill out and submit Form I-765. The form is available through the USCIS website and phone number given above. Along with the completed form include a photocopy of any applications or documents that entitle you to obtain a work permit, such as application of asylum, suspension of deportation, or adjustment of status. Depending on your status, you may also have to pay a $340 filing fee (check the website or call the toll-free number to determine whether you are entitled to waive the fee). Completed I-765 forms may be mailed; check the website to determine the proper mailing address for your status. You may also be able to submit this form electronically, through the USCIS website. Almost all necessary immigration forms can be found at the web address above. For further information regarding the replacement of immigration papers, please contact USCIS at www.uscis.gov, or call (800) 375-5283. Sometimes the Form I-765 can be “expedited.” Use the infopass to speak to an officer about this procedure. Make sure you bring the Form I-765 filing receipt and any papers you have from your employer.
Do I need to let USCIS know that I have moved as a result of the wildfires?
All non-U.S. citizens are required to promptly notify the USCIS of any change of address. To report a change of address you must file Form AR-11, available through the USCIS website or phone number given above. It is recommended that Form AR-11 be filed by mail or electronically. Mail form AR-11 to DHS/USCIS, Change of Address, Post Office Box 7134, London, KY 40742-7134. Go to www.uscis.gov to file Form AR-11 electronically. In most cases, filing this form will update information for any case you have pending, but you should check the website to be sure.
Where is my local USCIS office?
Los Angeles District Office (serving Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties):
300 North Los Angeles Street, Room 1001
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Santa Ana Field Office (serving Orange County):
34 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
San Bernardino Field Office (serving San Bernardino and Riverside counties):
655 W. Rialto Ave
San Bernardino, CA 92410
San Diego District Office:
U.S. Federal Building
880 Front Street, Suite 1234
San Diego, CA 92101
Chula Vista Field Office:
1261 3rd Avenue, Suite A
Chula Vista, CA 91911
These offices now require appointments, which can be made through the website or by calling the toll-free number listed above. In addition, the website lists additional local Application Support Centers throughout the area.
I missed my USCIS appointment due to the fire. What do I do?
The USCIS website has announced that USCIS Field Offices in the Los Angeles, CA area (Los Angeles field office, San Bernardino field office, and Santa Ana field office) and San Diego, CA (San Diego field office and Chula Vista field office) will automatically reschedule applicants who missed naturalization (N-400) or adjustment of status (I-485) interviews due to the massive Southern California wildfires. Anyone who misses an INFOPASS appointment should/may reschedule the appointment on their own, or the customer may go to the office where the appointment was originally scheduled with the appointment notice.
Where can I find more information?
Additional immigration information is available from USCIS at (800) 375-5283 or at www.uscis.gov. Individuals with immigration-related questions are encouraged to consult an attorney since this is a complicated area of law. Please see the “Lawyer Referral Services & Legal Aid” section of this handbook, for legal services available in your area.Helping Handbook: Helping Handbook: