MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant policy for the Food Stamp, Temporary Assistance, and Family Healthcare (MO HealthNet) Programs. Public Laws 110-161, 110-181, and 110-329 grant certain Iraqi and Afghan immigrants special immigrant status under section 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) effective December 26, 2007. Public Law 110-329 provisions grant Afghan special immigrant status eligibility until the end of September 2009. County office staff will be notified if an extension is made beyond September 2009. Under the special immigrant status, the immigrant is eligible for refugee resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits as a refugee, except the period of eligibility cannot exceed the following limits:

• for Afghan refugees – six months
• for Iraqi refugees – eight months

This memorandum addresses the following:

• eligibility;
• verification;
• FAMIS entry;
• manual section updates; and
• the Documentation for Special Immigrants chart.

Eligibility

The effective date of eligibility for both Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants can be no earlier than December 26, 2007, and begins the date the special immigrant status is granted. Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants enter the United States with another immigrant status, for example LPR (Lawful Permanent Resident). Once granted special immigrant status, these immigrants do not have to meet other immigrant qualifications such as residing in the U.S. for five years, during their period of special immigrant status.

Special immigrant status is identified on the Iraqi or Afghan passport with an immigrant visa stamp noting the following categories:

SI1	SQ1
SI2	SQ2
SI3	SQ3
SI6	SQ6
SI7	SQ7
SI9	SQ9

Verification

Verify the date of entry into the U.S. and current immigrant status of the Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants. Verification of the status is provided in the Documentation for Special Immigrants chart, which is available on the FSD Intranet.

FAMIS Entry

To enter the special immigrant information in FAMIS, take the actions listed below.

• On the Non-Citizen Information (FMML) screen, enter REF (Refugee) in the status field and the date the immigrant was granted special immigrant status. Enter the appropriate verification code and record comments.
• Set a reminder for the 2nd working day of the last month of the special immigrant status, so that there is time for an adverse action to expire before the end of the special eligibility period.

• Upon receipt of the reminder, end the special immigrant’s refugee status by entering the 2nd working day of the last month as the end date and EIE (entered in error) as the end reason on the Non-Citizen Information (FMML) screen.

  NOTE: It is critical to end the REF status with EIE, so that the new status will not cause the immigrant to be continuously eligible.

• Then, add the immigrant's ongoing status as a new immigrant status with the date that the status became effective. Complete an eligibility determination so that the correct decision will be made for each program for the following month.

  EXAMPLE: An Iraqi or Afghan special immigrant enters the United States on 11/15/07 as a special immigrant with an LPR status. After ending the special immigrant’s refugee status at the beginning of the last month of eligibility, enter the LPR status with a begin date of 11/15/07.

As MO HealthNet eligibility is date specific (exception: MO HealthNet for Pregnant Women), contact MO HealthNet Program and Policy and request an override to maintain eligibility for Special Immigrants to the end of the month following entry of EIE in the End Resn field on the Non-Citizen Information (FMML or NONCITZN) screen .

Follow these examples to enter the special immigrant’s status on the Non-Citizen Information (FMML or NONCITZN) screen:

Country of Origin	Date of Entry Special REF Status Date	Date of Application	Months of Special Immigrant Status	Eligibility Begin Date	Reminder/End Date with EIE
Iraq	11/15/07	12/2/2007	11/07 – 6/08	12/26/07	06/02/08
Iraq	3/29/08	4/3/08	03/08 – 10/08	04/03/08	10/02/08
Iraq	11/1/07	3/4/08	11/07– 06/08	03/04/08	06/02/08
Afghanistan	12/03/07	12/12/07	12/07 – 05/08	12/26/07	05/02/08
Afghanistan	4/1/08	4/2/08	04/08 – 09/08	04/02/08	09/02/08
Afghanistan	02/29/08	05/04/08	02/08 – 07/08	05/04/08	07/02/08

If the special immigrant eligibility period has ended prior to application for benefits, enter the immigrant’s ongoing status. Do not enter the special immigrant REF status.

Manual Section Updates

Food Stamp Manual section 1105.010.10.50 Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants is added to include the Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant policy and procedures for the Food Stamp Program.

Income Maintenance Manual sections 0205.040.05.17 through 0205.040.05.17.15 and 0905.010.30.15.05 through 0905.010.30.15.20 are added to include the Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant policy and procedures for the Temporary Assistance, and Family Healthcare Programs.

Documentation for Special Immigrants chart

The Documentation for Special Immigrants chart is available on the FSD Intranet. To access the chart:

• from the FSD Intranet page, select either Food Stamps, MO HealthNet, Temporary Assistance on the left side;
• on the right side under Quick Links select IM Charts;
• under FAMIS charts, select Documentation for Special Immigrants.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KSO/LH/AR