DHS just released notices that it has suspended certain requirements governing employment for Venezuelan or Syrian F-1 students.
These notices provide relief to citizens of Syria or Venezuela who are lawful F–1 nonimmigrant students so the students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain F–1 nonimmigrant student status.
F–1 nonimmigrant students must meet all of the following conditions:
- Are citizens of Syria or Venezuela, regardless of country of birth;
- Were lawfully present in the United States in an F–1 nonimmigrant status on April 22, 2021, under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i);
- Are enrolled in an academic institution that is Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified for enrollment of F–1 nonimmigrant students,
- Are currently maintaining F–1 nonimmigrant status, and
- Are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the ongoing civil unrest in Syria since March 2011 or as a direct result of the current humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.