“Anybody who has parole needs to extend it — except for Russian and Chinese tourists,” USCIS Honolulu District Director David G. Gulick said.
According to information made available by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services yesterday, it’s critical that foreign workers maintain a lawful status in order for them to be petitioned for either CW or any other status under the Immigration and National Act.
Based on the Q&A issued by USCIS yesterday, those who have parole and an I-94 that’s expired or expiring on Nov. 28, can apply for an extension.
USCIS regional media manager Marie Therese Sebrechts and Honolulu Distict Director David G. Gulick also pointed out that Chinese and Russian tourists paroled into the CNMI as tourists are not eligible for extension of parole.
They both reminded that parole and work authorization must be kept current to maintain legal presence in the U.S. and be allowed to work.
According to USCIS, workers whose paroles need to be extended must submit (1) a letter or affidavit indicating the complete PO box mailing address and telephone number and duly signed by the person requesting; (2) a copy of a valid passport’s biographic page that shows the photo, date of birth and expiry date; (3) a copy of I-94, front and back; (4) a copy of umbrella permit (if one has it); (5) a letter from the employer vouching for continued employment of person requesting for parole extension.
These documents should be sealed in one envelope with the name of the person requesting for extension, “PAROLE EXTENSION,” and expiry date of parole.
It is recommended, USCIS said, that copies of all documents be retained by the requesting party.
For those on Saipan, the sealed envelope containing the request for extension and pertinent documents must be dropped off as the USCIS Office on the ground floor of TSL Plaza in Garapan.
These requests, USCIS, will be entertained only on a drop-off basis. There is no fee.
For those on Rota and Tinian, they can email their requests to DHS-USCIS, Sirena Plaza, Suite 100, 108 Hernan Cortez Avenue, Hagatna, Guam 96910. ATTN: PAROLE EXTENSION- CNMI.
Only those granted parole can apply for an extension. But parole, USCIS said, gives someone legal status but it does not provide authorization to work.
