UNITED NATIONS, Dec 15 (IPS) – Back in the 1970s, thousands of UN staffers were granted legal status after retirement and opted for permanent residence in the US.
But that long-standing privilege now appears to be in jeopardy, forcing retirees to return to their home countries and uproot their lives in the US.
The United States’ Immigration and Nationality Act has long allowed long-serving UN staffers, who had traditional G-4 visa status and met certain criteria, to apply for a Legal Permanent Residency, also known as a ‘Green Card’. under the category “Special Immigrants” (EB-4), upon separation upon retirement.
The UN Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC) sent an “urgent notice” to staff last week that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is temporarily suspending the acceptance of applications for registration of permanent residence or adjustment of has suspended status (Form I-485) under the “Special Immigrants” category (EB-4).
This development may impact the ability of personnel holding G-4 visas to continue to reside in the United States after leaving employment following retirement.
The suspension could also affect recent retirees; children of current or retired staff members, as well as a surviving spouse, who intend to apply for legal permanent residency under the “Special Immigrants” category.
The UN has advised staffers to seek legal advice from an immigration firm regarding their future status in the US.
Off the record, a former UN official told IPS that the program is in jeopardy and there is no clear indication of when it will be resumed or resolved.
The reason is apparently a backlog of applications, but it could even be political, he said. “You may never know.”
Basically, he said, it has been put on hold because of some changes that came into effect at the beginning of this year in immigration laws – and also because of the existing backlog of applications.
“This means no priority processing for UN G4 visa holders. The situation is quite serious because it took many within the secretariat by surprise.”
“We have been told that we must leave the US within 30 days of separation unless the individual is able to change their status through an immigration attorney. I don’t see it being fixed in the near future. A big disappointment and a mess to say the least.”
Most UN staffers who own apartments, houses and properties – and who are short-term – will have to dispose of them before leaving the US, while others with children in US universities will have to make adjustments.
“It’s an absolute nightmare,” said one employee whose retirement will take place in February next year, when he will have to leave the US.
Meanwhile, in Geneva, home to more than forty international organizations, most of which are affiliated with the United Nations, such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), staffers applicable. for “residence permits” upon retirement.
After living for 5 to 10 years, including the years spent at the UN, they are entitled to a permanent residence permit leading to Swiss citizenship.
There are currently more than 9,000 US staff members working at the Secretariat and at UN agencies in New York, including the UN Development Program (UNDP), the UN children’s agency UNICEF and UN Women – some of whom have retired after working in the US had lived. for over 30 to 40 years.
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© Inter Press Service (2023) — All rights reservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
