The New York District of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) extends deepest sympathies to all who have suffered losses as a result of the tragic gas explosion in Harlem this week.
USCIS encourages anyone who lost immigration documentation as a direct result of the explosion and building collapse to promptly apply for a replacement.
Examples of documents critical to replace are: the Naturalization Certificate (application to replace is Form N-565), the Permanent Resident Card or “Green Card” (application to replace is Form I-90), and the Employment Authorization (application is I-765). All forms are available at http://www.uscis.gov/forms or by calling 1-800-870-3676.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials will give special consideration to fee waiver requests from applicants who lost their residence or employment as a direct result of the explosion and apply to replace certain documents. USCIS will also consider waiving the fee for the collection of biometrics, which is required when filing a form I-90, if requested by a customer affected by the explosion. Fees may be waived when applicants demonstrate an inability to pay. All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Naturalized citizens are encouraged to file form N-565 to replace their naturalization certificates, even if they do not have an immediate need for them. Naturalized citizens can’t replace passports, apply for a variety of benefits, or register to vote without a naturalization certificate. Filing promptly to replace a lost certificate can avoid inconvenience in the future.
For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog The Beacon.
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