The Redesignation and Extension of Special Student Relief to Somali Students Experiencing Severe Economic Hardship

 

On March 10, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published a Federal Register Notice, explaining a temporary suspension on certain F-1 student regulations for students from Somalia that are experiencing severe economic hardship. Specifically, "employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while maintaining their F-1 nonimmigrant student status," (Federal Register, Employment Authorization for Somali F-1 Nonimmigrant Students Experiencing Severe Economic Hardship as a Direct Result of the Current Crisis in Somalia, 2023)

In order to be eligible, students must meet all of the following conditions:

• Citizens of Somalia regardless of country of birth (or an individual having no nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia)
• Lawfully present in the United States on March 13, 2023 in F-1 status.
• Enrolled at the University of Utah.
• Currently maintaining their F-1 status.
• Experiencing severe economic hardships.
  
  

The suspension will remain until September 17, 2024.

For more information please refer to the Federal Register Notice and for additional information about Special Student Relief we encourage you to review this at ICE.gov/SEVP on "What is Special Student Relief?"

 

Department of Homeland Security. (2023, March 13). Employment Authorization for Somali F-1 Nonimmigrant Students Experiencing Severe Economic Hardship as a Direct Result of the Current Crisis in Somalia.

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Disclaimer

This news is not a substitute for legal advice nor international student advisors are immigration lawyers. For complex situations, we encourage you to discuss with an immigration attorney.