From The Office of Citizenship Assistance

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Office of Citizenship Assistance

October Recap

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October was a busy month. We took part in a workforce panel, joined Kimchi Day in Anchorage, and followed the latest news on TPS. Below you will find a short recap, upcoming dates, and what to do if you have TPS. As always, if you have questions about anything here, come see us.

Scam Alert

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development is warning workers about a recent increase in scams targeting Spanish-speaking and English-as-a-Second-Language workers.

Scammers are pretending to be attorneys and offering to represent workers in workers’ compensation cases, wrongful termination matters, immigration hearings, and other legal issues. Victims are asked to pay money upfront and are then given fake hearings over the phone or by video, with scammers pretending to be the judge and other parties.

These scammers often claim the worker has been awarded tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars but must first pay “court fees” to receive the money. This is a scam.

Important reminders:

  • Alaska DOLWD will never call you to ask for money.
  • All official hearings are conducted in person at a State of Alaska office.

If you have questions or concerns, contact the appropriate office:

  • Workers’ Compensation: (907) 269-4980
  • Wage and Hour (including paycheck deductions): (907) 269-4900
  • Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (workplace safety or retaliation concerns): (907) 269-4940

Your safety and rights matter. If something feels suspicious, please reach out before providing any personal information or payment.

Election Day

Election Day

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Only U.S. citizens who are at least 18 can vote in Alaska elections. US Nationals, Green Card holders and other non-citizen immigrants cannot vote. You can check your voter registration and find your polling place at elections.alaska.gov. 

Check our website for more info - Understanding Citizenship Status

Where We Were

Alaska Workforce Convening, October 7
OCA took part in the Untapped Immigrant Workforce panel at the 2026 Alaska Workforce Convening and spoke about Alaska’s immigrant workforce. Thank you to the organizers for including us.

Kimchi Day, October 17
We had a table at Kimchi Day at Wendler Middle School in Anchorage. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello.

Coming Up

English Conversation Class Is Back
After a short break in October, our weekly English Conversation class will start again on November 6th. Join us every Friday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at the OCA office, 3301 Eagle St., Suite 100, Anchorage. All levels are welcome, and no registration is needed.

Veterans Career Expo, Tuesday, November 10, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Muldoon Family Center (1251 Muldoon Road, Anchorage, AK).
OCA will not be at this event, but we encourage veterans and their families to attend. You can meet employers and learn about resources for veterans.

Office Closures
OCA and other State of Alaska offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 11 for Veterans Day and on Thursday, November 26 for Thanksgiving.

USCIS banner

TPS for El Salvador, Sudan, and Ukraine

The scheduled end dates for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) have now passed: September 9 for El Salvador and October 19 for Sudan and Ukraine. DHS has not announced a final decision to extend or end TPS for these countries. Until DHS makes an announcement, people with TPS keep their protection and their work authorization.

What to do:

  • Check the I-9 Central page on the USCIS website
  • Check your country’s TPS page on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website often for updates. USCIS - TPS
  • Print or save the USCIS alert from your country’s TPS page and keep it with your work permit. You can show it to your employer or to other agencies if they ask.
  • If you move, update your address with USCIS within 10 days so you do not miss important mail. You can do this online at uscis.gov/address change.
On Sept. 28, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued an order requiring DHS to remediate certain adverse consequences for the class of aliens paroled into the United States after scheduling an appointment through the CBP One mobile app, and whose parole was terminated by the federal government via mass email in April 2025. Sileiri Doe v. DHS, 1:25-cv-12245-ADB (D. Mass).
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is opening an asylum office in Charlotte, North Carolina.