USCIS announced earlier this month that it will extend the filing deadline for the expiration of the U nonimmigrant interim relief program. Persons interested in extending status may apply for this extension of U relief benefits by February 1, 2010, by using Form I-918, the Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status.
In mid-December, USCIS published a notice to remind individuals that temporary benefits related to U nonimmigrant status were to expire on December 31, 2009. Prior to that, USCIS sent notices to individuals that may have been affected by the end of the relief program, with a reminder to file Form I-918 before December 31, 2009 in order to maintain eligibility for U interim relief benefits. No additional notices will be sent, USCIS notes; however, that deadline date has indeed been extended to February 1, 2010.