Key Takeaways:
- USCIS opens new international offices in Doha, Qatar, and Ankara, Turkey, to enhance refugee processing and interagency cooperation.
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Doha and Ankara facilitate refugee processing with existing U.S. and UN refugee support centers and scheduled public appointments.
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New offices offer Form I-730 processing, fraud detection assistance, and other limited services starting May 2024 by appointment only.
What Are the New USCIS International Offices in Doha and Ankara?
In a significant development, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the opening of international field offices in Doha, Qatar, and Ankara, Turkey. This move aims to expand refugee processing capabilities, foster strategic partnerships, and enhance interagency cooperation.
“Our presence in Qatar and Turkey expands USCIS’ footprint outside the United States, supports our humanitarian mission, and strengthens the integrity of the U.S. immigration system,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou.
Why are Doha and Ankara Important Locations?
Doha, Qatar
Qatar has emerged as a crucial hub for regional refugee processing. The country already hosts refugee coordinators from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), as well as a suboffice for the Resettlement Support Center for the Middle East and North Africa. The new USCIS Doha Field Office will be situated at the U.S. embassy facility in Camp As Sayliyah. Staff will also meet with the public for scheduled appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Qatar.
Ankara, Turkey
Similarly, Ankara is pivotal for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The Resettlement Support Center for Turkey and the Middle East has its headquarters in Turkey. Additionally, PRM refugee coordinators and a regional office for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are based there. The USCIS Ankara Field Office will be located within the U.S. Embassy in Ankara.
What Services Will These Offices Provide?
The USCIS staff in these new locations will be responsible for various crucial tasks:
- Processing Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, from State Department consular staff.
- Assisting with certain fraud detection-related activities.
- Offering other limited services.
Services at both locations will be available by appointment only. For details on these services, including how to schedule an appointment, USCIS will update their International Immigration Offices webpage.
When Will These Offices Open?
Mark your calendars! The Doha Field Office will open on May 7, 2024, and the Ankara Field Office on May 9, 2024. With these new additions, USCIS will have a total of 11 international field offices, including others in locations such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Guatemala City, and Nairobi.
How Will These Offices Impact Refugee Admissions?
The opening of these new offices comes in line with the Biden-Harris administration’s aim to facilitate more organized and lawful migration alongside family reunification. It also ties into the administration’s set refugee admissions ceiling for the fiscal year 2024, capped at 125,000 refugees.
“This initiative supports our long-standing mission to provide humanitarian assistance and uphold the integrity of the U.S. immigration system,” stated USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou.
How Can You Access Services at These International Offices?
To access services at these new USCIS international offices, including filing Form I-730, you need to book an appointment first. The specific services and scheduling options will be updated on the USCIS International Immigration Offices webpage.
Summary
The establishment of USCIS international offices in Doha, Qatar, and Ankara, Turkey, is a strategic move to bolster the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and facilitate lawful and secure migration processes. Scheduled to open in May 2024, these offices will expand USCIS’ global presence while aiding in refugee processing and interagency coordination.
For more details on the services offered, you can visit the updated USCIS International Immigration Offices webpage.
Learn Today:
Glossary of Immigration Terms
- USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
- The federal agency responsible for overseeing lawful immigration to the United States, including processing immigration and naturalization applications and supporting humanitarian missions.
- Refugee Processing
- The administrative procedure through which individuals who have fled their home countries due to persecution or fear of persecution are evaluated and resettled in a new country, such as the United States.
- Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition (Form I-730)
- A form used by refugees or asylees in the United States to request the immigration of their spouse and/or unmarried children under the age of 21 to join them in the U.S.
- PRM (Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration)
- A bureau within the U.S. Department of State that handles policies and programs related to refugees, migrants, and conflict victims, including coordinating the resettlement of refugees.
- UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
- An international organization mandated to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people, and to assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement to a third country.
This Article In A Nutshell:
USCIS is opening new offices in Doha, Qatar, and Ankara, Turkey, to enhance refugee processing and foster international cooperation. These locations are critical for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and will offer services by appointment starting May 2024. This move supports the humanitarian mission and strengthens U.S. immigration efforts.
— By VisaVerge.com
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