United States: USCIS Policy Guidance on Employment Authorization Documents Based on Compelling Circumstances
June 15, 2023

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued policy guidance to address eligibility criteria and standards for applications for employment authorization involving compelling circumstances. The guidance covers compelling circumstances for principal applicants and their dependents, provides a non-exhaustive list of situations that could lead to a finding that compelling circumstances exist, and provides details on evidence an applicant could submit to demonstrate one of these compelling circumstances. The guidance is effective immediately and applies prospectively to applications filed on or after June 14, 2023. USCIS is accepting public comments on the guidance through July 14, 2023.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
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