U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on March 11, 2011, the following relief for Japanese and other nationals from the Pacific stranded in the U.S. due to the earthquake and tsunami disasters in Japan:
This advisory is for Japanese and other foreign nationals from the Pacific stranded in the United States due to the earthquakes and tsunami devastation. If you have exceeded or are about to exceed your authorized stay in the U.S. you may be permitted up to an additional 30 days to depart.
Visitors traveling under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):
- If you are at an airport, contact the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office at the airport
- All others, please visit the local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office
Visitors traveling under a nonimmigrant visa:
- Visit the local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office
- Bring your passport, evidence that you are stranded (such as an itinerary for the cancelled flight), and your I-94 departure record
The announcement is available at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=89a8ce68596ae210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e7801c2c9be44210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD.
Additional immigration relief options are available on the Special Situations Web page at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=f34d3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=f34d3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD.
