Extension of the Designation of Burundi for Temporary Protected Status; Extension of Employment Authorization Documentation for Eligible TPS Beneficiaries, 52425-52429 [05-17579]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 170 / Friday, September 2, 2005 / Notices
thence southeasterly along the boundary
of Hoke County and Scotland County to
the intersection of the Hoke County,
Scotland County, and Robeson County
lines; thence southwesterly along the
boundary of Robeson County and
Scotland County to the intersection of
the Robeson County, Scotland County,
and the North Carolina—South Carolina
boundary; thence southeasterly along
the North Carolina—South Carolina
boundary to a point at 33 degrees 51.5
minutes N latitude, 78 degrees 33
minutes W longitude along the
intersection of the North Carolina—
South Carolina boundary on the
Atlantic Coast: thence southeasterly to a
point on a bearing of 122 degrees at 33
degrees 17.91 minutes N latitude, 77
degrees 31.77 minutes West longitude;
thence north to a point at 34 degrees 26
minutes N latitude, 77 degrees 31
minutes W longitude.’’ A chart that
depicts this area can be found on the
Fifth District Web page at https://
www.uscg.mil/d5/D5_Units/
Sectors.htm.
The following information is a list of
updated command titles, addresses and
points of contact to facilitate requests
from the public and assist with entry
into security or safety zones.
Sector North Carolina: Sector
Commander: CAPT Dean Lee, Deputy
Sector Commander: CDR Dale Jones,
Address: Commander, U.S. Coast Guard
Sector North Carolina, 2301 East Fort
Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512–
5633.
Contact: General Number, (252) 247–
4500. Chief, Prevention Department:
(252) 247–4520; Chief, Response
Department: (252) 247–4535; Chief,
Logistics Department: (252) 247–4450.
Marine Safety Unit, Wilmington:
Commanding Officer: CDR Byron Black,
Address: U.S. Coast Guard Marine
Safety Unit Wilmington, 721 Medical
Center Drive Suite 100, Wilmington,
North Carolina 28401: (910) 772–2200.
Sector Field Office, Cape Hatteras:
Supervisor: LT Joseph Abeyta, Address:
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Field Office
Cape Hatteras, 114 Woodhill Drive,
Nags Head, North Carolina 27959: (252)
305–5188.
Dated: August 18, 2005.
L.L. Hereth,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander,
Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 05–17467 Filed 9–1–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–15–P
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Bureau of Customs and Border
Protection
Bureau of Customs and Border
Protection Trade Symposium:
‘‘Globalizing Trade Security and
Facilitation—Realizing the Promise of
the WCO Framework’’
Bureau of Customs and Border
Protection, Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice of trade symposium.
AGENCY:
This document announces
that the Bureau of Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) will convene a major
trade symposium that will feature joint
discussions by CBP personnel, members
of the trade community, and other
government agencies on the agency’s
role on international trade security
initiatives and programs. Members of
the international trade and
transportation communities and other
interested parties are encouraged to
attend, and those attending are
requested to register early.
DATES: Wednesday, November 2, 2005
(Trade Compliance Workshop—2 to 5
p.m. and Opening Reception 6–8 p.m.);
Thursday, November 3, 2005 (Panels
and Multi-Session Workshops 8:30–5
p.m. and Open Forum Reception with
Senior Managers 5–6 p.m.); Friday,
November 4, 2005 (Half-day Session
(Panel Discussions 8–12 p.m.)) will be
held.
SUMMARY:
The Trade Symposium will
be held at the Ronald Reagan Building
and International Trade Center, 1300
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The
Office of Trade Relations at (202) 344–
1440 or at traderelations@dhs.gov. ACS
Client Representatives; CBP Account
Managers; Regulatory Audit Trade
Liaisons; or to obtain the latest
information on the program or to
register on-line, visit the CBP Web site
at https://www.cbp.gov. Requests for
special needs should also be sent to the
Office of Trade Relations at
traderelations@dhs.gov.
ADDRESSES:
The
keynote speaker will be announced at a
later date. The cost is $235.00 per
individual and includes all symposium
activities. Interested parties are
requested to register early, as space is
limited. Registration will open to the
public on or about September 23, 2005.
All registrations must be made on-line
at the CBP Web site (https://www.cbp.gov
and must be confirmed with payment by
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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52425
October 7, 2005 by credit card only. The
JW Marriott Hotel, 1331 Pennsylvania
Avenue, NW., Washington DC, has
reserved a block of rooms for
Wednesday through Friday, November
2–4, 2005 at a rate of U.S. $239.00 per
night. Reservations may be made
directly with the hotel at (202) 393–
2000 or 1–800–228–9290 and reference
the ‘‘CBP Trade Symposium’’.
Dated: August 17, 2005.
Michael C. Mullen,
Director, Office of Trade Relations.
[FR Doc. 05–17554 Filed 9–1–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services
[CIS No. 2361–05]
RIN 1615–ZA29
Extension of the Designation of
Burundi for Temporary Protected
Status; Extension of Employment
Authorization Documentation for
Eligible TPS Beneficiaries
U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services, DHS.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The designation of Burundi
for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
will expire on November 2, 2005. This
Notice extends TPS for Burundi for 12
months, until November 2, 2006, and
sets forth procedures for nationals of
Burundi (or aliens having no nationality
who last habitually resided in Burundi)
with TPS to re-register and to apply for
an extension of their employment
authorization documents (EADs) for the
additional 12-month period. Certain
nationals of Burundi (or aliens having
no nationality who last habitually
resided in Burundi) who previously
have not applied for TPS may be eligible
to apply under the late initial
registration provisions.
The Department of Homeland
Security recognizes that some reregistrants may not receive their new
employment authorization documents
until after their current documents
expire on November 2, 2005.
Accordingly, when eligible TPS
beneficiaries re-register for TPS and
appear at a U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services Application
Support Center for collection of
biometrics, stickers will be affixed to
their employment authorization
documents to extend the validity of the
cards through February 2006.
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 170 / Friday, September 2, 2005 / Notices
The extension of the designation
of TPS for Burundi is effective as of
November 2, 2005, and will remain in
effect until November 2, 2006. The 60day re-registration period begins
September 2, 2005 and will remain in
effect until November 1, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Susan Kopp Keyack, Residence and
Status Services, Office of Program and
Regulations Development, U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Department of Homeland Security, 111
Massachusetts Avenue, NW., 3rd Floor,
Washington, DC 20529, telephone (202)
514–4754. This is a toll call.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
Abbreviations and Terms Used in This
Document
Act—Immigration and Nationality Act.
ASC—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services, Application Support Center.
DHS—Department of Homeland
Security.
DOS—Department of State.
EAD—Employment Authorization
Document.
RIC—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services, Resource Information
Center.
TPS—Temporary Protected Status.
USCIS—U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services.
What Authority Does the Secretary of
Homeland Security Have To Extend the
Designation of TPS for Burundi?
Under section 244 of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (Act), 8 U.S.C.
1254a, the Secretary of Homeland
Security, after consultation with
appropriate agencies of the Government,
is authorized to designate a foreign state
(or part thereof) for TPS. 8 U.S.C.
1254a(b)(1). The Secretary of Homeland
Security may then grant TPS to eligible
nationals of that foreign state (or aliens
having no nationality who last
habitually resided in that state). 8 U.S.C.
1254a(a)(1).
At least 60 days before the expiration
of the TPS designation, or any extension
thereof, section 244(b)(3)(A) of the Act
requires the Secretary to review, after
consultation with appropriate agencies
of the Government, the conditions in a
foreign state designated for TPS to
determine whether the conditions for a
TPS designation continue to be met and,
if so, the length of an extension of the
TPS designation. 8 U.S.C.
1254a(b)(3)(A). If the Secretary
determines that the foreign state no
longer meets the conditions for the TPS
designation, he shall terminate the
designation, as provided in section
244(b)(3)(B) of the Act. 8 U.S.C.
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1254a(b)(3)(B). Finally, section
244(b)(3)(C) of the Act provides for the
extension of TPS for an additional
period of 6 months (or, in the discretion
of the Secretary, a period of 12 or 18
months) unless the Secretary determines
that a foreign state (or part thereof) no
longer meets the conditions for the
designation at least 60 days before the
designation or extension is due to end.
8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(C).
Why Is the Secretary of Homeland
Security Extending the TPS Designation
for Burundi for an Additional Year?
On November 4, 1997, the Attorney
General published a Notice in the
Federal Register at 62 FR 59735
designating TPS for Burundi based upon
the ongoing armed conflict and
extraordinary and temporary conditions
within the country. The Attorney
General subsequently extended the
designation for one year finding that the
conditions prompting designation
continued to exist. In November 1999,
the Attorney General extended and redesignated TPS for Burundi by
publishing a Notice in the Federal
Register at 64 FR 61123, based upon
ongoing armed conflict and
extraordinary and temporary conditions.
Since that date, the Attorney General
and the Secretary of Homeland Security,
respectively, have extended TPS for
Burundi five times, determining in each
instance that the conditions warranting
the designation continued to be met. 65
FR 67404, 66 FR 46027, 67 FR 55875,
68 FR 52405, 69 FR 60165. The most
recent extension became effective on
November 2, 2004, and is due to end on
November 2, 2005.
Over the past year, the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) and the
Department of State (DOS) have
continued to review conditions in
Burundi. Based on this review, DHS has
concluded that a 12-month extension is
warranted because, although there has
been progress in the peace process, both
the armed conflict and extraordinary
and temporary conditions that
prompted designation persist. Further,
DHS has determined that it is not
contrary to the national interest of the
United States to permit aliens who are
eligible for TPS based on the
designation of Burundi to remain
temporarily in the United States. See 8
U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(C).
On June 27, 2005, DOS submitted a
memorandum to U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS)
recommending an extension of TPS for
Burundi (DOS Recommendation). The
DOS Recommendation noted that while
there have been some steps towards
long-term peace, progress has been
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slower than expected. Specifically, the
DOS Recommendation explains that
despite a cease-fire on May 15, 2005,
violence has continued with attacks on
some neighborhoods of the capital,
Bujumbura, as recently as June.
Questions also remain regarding the
extent of civilian control over the
military. While there has been some
improvement in security conditions in
parts of Burundi, fighting and resulting
displacement of the population
continues around Bujumbura. USAID
reports that, as of February 2005,
sporadic attacks temporarily displaced
between 25,000 to 50,000 residents each
month, impeding humanitarian
assistance. In May 2004, the Security
Council authorized a United Nations
Operation in Burundi (UNOB). The
UNOB has been extended several times,
most recently until December 1, 2005, to
help create the necessary security
conditions for the provision of
humanitarian assistance and to carry out
the disarmament and demobilization
portions of the national Disarmament,
Demobilization and Reintegration
program. The World Bank estimates that
there are some 55,000 combatants to be
demobilized; as of May 10, 2005, only
10,000 former combatants had entered
the national demobilization process.
Burundi has an estimated population
of 6.8 million people. Currently, there
are approximately 800,000 Burundian
refugees, approximately 12 percent of
the total population, the vast majority of
whom are in neighboring Tanzania,
with smaller numbers in Rwanda, the
Democratic Republic of Congo and other
countries in the region. The State
Department reported that last year the
United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees estimated that 150,000 to
175,000 Burundian nationals would
return annually. However, the USCIS
Resource Information Center (RIC)
reported that approximately 158,000
refugees have returned to Burundi since
2002. RIC Report, June 23, 2005.
There are an estimated 120,000
internally displaced persons (IDPs)
within Burundi. This number, however,
shifts according to the pace of conflict.
As a result of 12 years of armed
conflict, the humanitarian situation in
Burundi continues to be dire. According
to the RIC Report:
• Two million people required food
aid in March 2005, an increase of 40
percent from 2004;
• One million two hundred thousand
Burundi nationals lack basic shelter;
• The poverty level doubled to 67
percent between 1990 and 2003. Sixtyeight percent of the population lives on
one dollar a day or less compared to 40
percent in 1993.
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Based upon this review, the Secretary
of Homeland Security, after consultation
with appropriate Government agencies,
finds that the conditions that prompted
the designation of Burundi for TPS
continue to be met. See 8 U.S.C.
1254a(b)(3)(A). The armed conflict is
ongoing, and there are extraordinary
and temporary conditions in Burundi
that prevent eligible Burundian
nationals (or aliens having no
nationality who last habitually resided
in Burundi) from returning in safety,
assuming these aliens meet the other
statutory requirements for TPS. The
Secretary of Homeland Security also
finds that it is not contrary to the
national interest of the United States to
permit aliens who meet the eligibility
requirements of TPS to remain in the
United States temporarily. See 8 U.S.C.
1254a(b)(1)(C). On the basis of these
findings, the Secretary of Homeland
Security concludes that the designation
of Burundi for TPS should be extended
for an additional 12-month period. See
8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(C).
8 CFR 103.2(e)(4)(i), (iii). An application
submitted without the required fees will
be returned to the applicant.
(4) Unlike previous registration
periods, you do not need to submit
photographs with your TPS application
because a photograph will be taken
when you appear at a USCIS
Application Support Center (ASC) for
collection of biometrics. Biometric
collection also includes capture of your
signature and fingerprints.
Aliens who have previously registered
for TPS but whose applications remain
pending should follow these
instructions if they wish to renew their
TPS benefits.
If I Currently Have Benefits Through
the TPS Designation of Burundi, Should
I Re-register for TPS?
Yes. If you already have received
benefits through the TPS designation of
Burundi, your benefits will expire on
November 2, 2005. Accordingly, you
must comply with the re-registration
requirements described below in order
to maintain TPS benefits through
November 2, 2006. TPS benefits include
temporary protection against removal
from the United States, as well as
employment authorization, during the
TPS designation period. 8 U.S.C.
1254a(a)(1).
Where Can I Obtain a Copy of the
Revised Form I–821 Dated 11/5/04?
If I am Currently Registered for TPS, or
Have a Pending Application for TPS,
How Do I Re-register Under the
Extension?
All persons previously granted TPS
under the designation of Burundi who
wish to maintain such status must reregister under the extension by filing the
following:
(1) Form I–821, Application for
Temporary Protected Status, without
fee;
(2) Form I–765, Application for
Employment Authorization (see the
chart below to determine whether you
must submit the one hundred seventyfive dollar ($175) filing fee with Form I–
765) or a fee waiver request;
(3) A biometric service fee of seventy
dollars ($70) if you are 14 years of age
or older, or if you are under 14 and are
requesting an Employment
Authorization Document (EAD). The
biometric service fee will not be waived.
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What Edition of the Form I–821 Must be
Submitted?
Form I–821 has been revised. Only
the Form I–821 with a revision date of
November 5, 2004 will be accepted. The
bottom of each page of the revised form
reads, ‘‘Form I–821 (Rev. 11/05/04)N.’’
Submissions of older versions of Form
I–821 will be rejected.
Immigration forms, including the
revised Form I–821, are available from
the toll-free USCIS Forms line, 1–800–
870–3676, from your local USCIS
district office, or from the USCIS Web
site: https://www.uscis.gov.
Where and When Should the Forms
and Fees Be Submitted?
Submit the completed forms and
applicable fee(s), if any, to the USCIS
Chicago, Illinois Lockbox, as noted
below, during the 60-day re-registration
period that begins September 2, 2005
and ends November 1, 2005.
Who Is Eligible to Receive a Sticker To
Extend the Validity of His or Her EAD
From November 2, 2005 Through
February 2006?
An individual who is a national of
Burundi (or an alien having no
nationality who last habitually resided
in Burundi), who has applied for and
received an EAD under the TPS
designation of Burundi, and who has
not had TPS withdrawn or denied may
have a temporary extension sticker
affixed to his/her current TPS-related
EAD when the individual re-registers for
TPS and appears at an ASC for
collection of biometrics. The sticker will
indicate ‘‘February 2006’’ and will
thereby extend the validity of the EAD
until February 28, 2006. USCIS district
offices will not be providing EAD
extension stickers. This benefit will be
available only through ASCs.
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How May Employers Determine
Whether an EAD Has Been
Automatically Extended Through
February 2006 and Is Therefore
Acceptable for Completion of the Form
I–9?
For purposes of verifying identity and
employment eligibility or re-verifying
employment eligibility on the Form I–9
until February 2006, employers of
Burundian TPS beneficiaries whose
EADs have been extended by an
extension sticker must accept such EAD
if presented. Employers will see a
sticker that indicates ‘‘February 2006’’
on either: (1) A Form I–766 bearing the
notation ‘‘A–12’’ or ‘‘C–19’’ on the face
of the card under ‘‘Category,’’ or (2) a
Form I–688B bearing the notation
‘‘274a.12(a)(12)’’ or ‘‘274a.12(c)(19)’’ on
the face of the card under ‘‘Provision of
Law.’’ This sticker extends validity of
the EAD through February 28, 2006.
Employers should not request proof of
Burundian citizenship. Unless put on
notice that an employee is unauthorized
to work, employers presented with an
EAD that contains a valid extension
sticker, if it appears to be genuine and
appears to relate to the employee,
should accept the EAD as a valid ‘‘List
A’’ document and should not ask for
additional Form I–9 documentation.
This action by the Secretary of DHS
does not affect the right of an employee
to present any legally acceptable
document as proof of identity and
eligibility for employment.
Employers are reminded that the laws
prohibiting unfair immigration-related
employment practices remain in full
force and that this Notice does not
supersede or in any way limit
applicable employment verification
rules and policy guidance. For
questions, employers may call the
USCIS Office of Business Liaison
Employer Hotline at 1–800–357–2099 to
speak to a USCIS representative. Also,
employers may call the U.S. Department
of Justice Office of Special Counsel for
Immigration Related Unfair
Employment Practices (OSC) Employer
Hotline at 1–800–255–8155 or 1–800–
362–2735 (TDD). Employees or
applicants may call the OSC Employee
Hotline at 1–800–255–7688 or 1–800–
237–2515 (TDD) for information
regarding the automatic extension.
Additional information is available on
the OSC Web site at https://
www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc/.
Where Should an Applicant Submit His
or Her Application for Re-Registration
or for Late Initial Registration?
The Form I–821, Form I–765, fees,
and all supporting documentation
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should be filed at the USCIS Chicago,
Illinois Lockbox at: U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services, Attn: TPS
Burundi, P.O. Box 87583, Chicago, IL
60680–0583 or, for non-United States
Postal Service deliveries: U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Attn: TPS Burundi, 427 S. LaSalle—3rd
Floor, Chicago, IL 60605.
Please note that the above-stated
addresses are not the same as where you
have submitted your forms during
previous re-registration periods. Aliens
re-registering or filing for late initial
registration for TPS under the
designation of Burundi should not send
their TPS forms and fees directly to a
USCIS district office. Failure to follow
these instructions will delay processing
of your TPS re-registration application
and may result in your application
being returned to you.
Who Must Submit the $175 Filing Fee
for the Form I–765?
(1) Although all re-registrants must
submit the Form I–765, only those reregistrants requesting an EAD,
regardless of age, must submit the $175
filing fee or a properly documented fee
waiver request pursuant to 8 CFR
244.20.
(2) Persons between the ages of 14 and
65 (inclusive) filing under the late
initial registration provisions who are
requesting an EAD also must submit the
$175 fee or a fee waiver request
pursuant to 8 CFR 244.20.
(3) Aliens who are submitting Form I–
765 only for data-gathering purposes (as
explained in the chart below) are not
required to submit a $175 filing fee, nor
are they required to submit a fee waiver
request.
Note that TPS re-registrants and
applicants for late initial registration
may wish to consider whether obtaining
an EAD will be helpful to them for
reasons other than verifying
employment eligibility (for example, as
a photo identity document and/or in
order to demonstrate eligibility for a
driver’s license in some states).
If
Then
You are re-registering for or renewing a TPS-related EAD, regardless
of your age.
You must complete and file the Form I–765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the $175 fee or a fee waiver request in accordance with 8 CFR 244.20.
You must complete and file Form I–765 (for data-gathering purposes
only) with no fee or fee waiver request.1
You must complete and file Form I–765 with the $175 fee or a fee
waiver request.
You must complete and file Form I–765 (for data-gathering purposes
only) with no fee.
You are not requesting an EAD ...............................................................
You are applying for
tion provisions and
You are applying for
tion provisions and
a TPS-related EAD under the late initial registraare between the ages of 14 and 65 (inclusive).
a TPS-related EAD under the late initial registraare under age 14 or over age 65.
1 An applicant who does not want an EAD does not need to submit the $175 fee, but must complete and submit Form I–765 for data-gathering
purposes.
The $70 biometric service fee must be
submitted by all aliens 14 years of age
and older who are re-registering for TPS,
renewing temporary treatment benefits,
or filing for late initial registration. In
addition, since a photograph, signature,
and fingerprint are required to produce
an EAD, any applicant under the age of
14 choosing to apply for an EAD must
submit the $70 biometric service fee.
The biometric service fee cannot be
waived. 8 CFR 103.2(e)(4)(i), (iii).
other status they may have acquired
while registered for TPS. Accordingly, if
an alien held no lawful immigration
status prior to being granted TPS and
did not obtain any other status during
the TPS period, he or she will have no
lawful status upon the termination of
the TPS designation. Once the Secretary
determines that a TPS designation
should be terminated, aliens who had
TPS under that designation and who
have not acquired another immigration
status are expected to plan for their
departure from the United States.
Does TPS Lead to Lawful Permanent
Residence?
May I Apply for Another Immigration
Benefit While I am Registered for TPS?
No. TPS is a temporary benefit that
does not lead to lawful permanent
residence by itself or confer any other
immigration status. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(e),
(f)(1), and (h). TPS also does not cure
any immigration status violations,
including periods of unlawful presence
that may have accrued prior to an
alien’s filing of a prima facie eligible
application for TPS which is ultimately
granted, following withdrawal of TPS,
or after termination of a TPS
designation. When a country’s TPS
designation is terminated, TPS
beneficiaries will have the same
immigration status they held prior to
TPS (unless that status has since
expired or been terminated), or any
Yes. Registration for TPS does not
prevent you from applying for another
non-immigrant status, from filing for
adjustment of status based on an
immigrant petition, or from applying for
any other immigration benefit or
protection. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(5). For the
purposes of change of nonimmigrant
status and adjustment of status, an alien
is considered as being in, and
maintaining, lawful status as a
nonimmigrant during the period in
which he or she is granted TPS. 8 U.S.C.
1254a(f)(4).
Who Must Submit the $70 Biometric
Service Fee?
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How Does an Application for TPS
Affect My Application for Asylum or
Other Immigration Benefits?
An application for TPS does not affect
an application for asylum or any other
immigration benefit. Denial of an
application for asylum or any other
immigration benefit does not affect an
applicant’s TPS eligibility, although the
grounds for denying one form of relief
may also be grounds for denying TPS.
For example, a person who has been
convicted of a particularly serious crime
is not eligible for asylum or TPS. 8
U.S.C. 1158(b)(2)(A)(ii); 8 U.S.C.
1254a(c)(2)(B)(ii).
Does This Extension Allow Nationals of
Burundi (or Aliens Having No
Nationality Who Last Habitually
Resided in Burundi) To Apply for TPS
if They Entered the United States After
November 9, 1999?
No. This is a Notice of an extension
of the TPS designation of Burundi, not
a Notice re-designating Burundi for TPS.
An extension of a TPS designation does
not change the required dates of
continuous residence and continuous
physical presence in the United States.
This extension does not expand TPS
availability to those beyond the current
TPS eligibility requirements for
Burundi. To be eligible for benefits
under this extension, nationals of
E:\FR\FM\02SEN1.SGM
02SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 170 / Friday, September 2, 2005 / Notices
Burundi (or aliens having no nationality
who last habitually resided in Burundi)
must have been continuously physically
present in the United States and must
have continuously resided in the United
States since November 9, 1999.
Are Certain Aliens Ineligible for TPS?
Yes. There are certain criminal and
terrorism-related inadmissibility
grounds that render an alien ineligible
for TPS. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(2)(A)(iii).
Further, aliens who have been convicted
of any felony, or two or more
misdemeanors, committed in the United
States are ineligible for TPS under
section 244(c)(2)(B) of the Act, 8 U.S.C.
1254a(c)(2)(B), as are aliens described in
the bars to asylum in section
208(b)(2)(A) of the Act, 8 U.S.C.
1158(b)(2)(A).
What Is Late Initial Registration?
Some aliens who did not file for TPS
during the initial registration period
may be eligible for late initial
registration under 8 U.S.C.
1254a(c)(1)(A) and (c)(2) and 8 CFR
244.2(f)(2) and (g). To apply for late
initial registration an applicant must:
(1) Be a national of Burundi (or an
alien who has no nationality and who
last habitually resided in Burundi);
(2) Have continuously resided in the
United States since November 9, 1999;
(3) Have been continuously physically
present in the United States since
November 9, 1999; and
(4) Be admissible as an immigrant,
except as provided under section
244(c)(2)(A) of the Act, and not
ineligible under section 244(c)(2)(B) of
the Act.
Additionally, the applicant must be
able to demonstrate that during the
registration period for the initial
designation (from November 4, 1997 to
November 3, 1998), or during the
registration period for the re-designation
(from November 9, 1999 to November 2,
2000), he or she:
(1) Was a nonimmigrant or had been
granted voluntary departure or any
relief from removal;
(2) Had an application for change of
status, adjustment of status, asylum,
voluntary departure, or any relief from
removal or change of status pending or
subject to further review or appeal;
(3) Was a parolee or had a pending
request for reparole; or
(4) Is the spouse or child of an alien
currently eligible to be a TPS registrant.
An applicant for late initial
registration must file an application for
late registration within 60 days of the
expiration or termination of the abovedescribed conditions. 8 CFR 244.2(g).
All late initial registration applications
VerDate Aug<18>2005
18:00 Sep 01, 2005
Jkt 205001
for TPS pursuant to the TPS extension
of Burundi should be submitted to the
USCIS lockbox address listed above.
What Happens When This Extension of
TPS Expires on November 2, 2006?
At least 60 days before this extension
of the TPS designation for Burundi
expires on November 2, 2006, the
Secretary of Homeland Security, after
consultation with appropriate agencies
of the Government, will review
conditions in Burundi and determine
whether the conditions for designation
continue to be met at that time, or
whether the TPS designation should be
terminated. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3). Notice
of that determination, including the
basis for the determination, will be
published in the Federal Register.
Notice of Extension of Designation of
TPS for Burundi
By the authority vested in the
Secretary of Homeland Security under
sections 244(b)(3)(A) and (b)(3)(C) of the
Act, DHS has determined, after
consultation with the appropriate
Government agencies, that the
conditions that prompted designation of
Burundi for TPS continue to be met.
Accordingly, DHS orders as follows:
(1) The designation of Burundi under
section 244(b)(1)(C) of the Act is
extended for an additional 12-month
period from November 2, 2005, to
November 2, 2006. 8 U.S.C.
1254a(b)(3)(C).
(2) There are approximately 30
nationals of Burundi (or aliens having
no nationality who last habitually
resided in Burundi) who have been
granted TPS and who are eligible for reregistration.
(3) To maintain TPS, a national of
Burundi (or an alien having no
nationality who last habitually resided
in Burundi) who was granted TPS
during one of the initial designation
periods (or through late initial
registration) and who re-registered
during the subsequent extensions of this
designation, if any, must re-register for
TPS during the 60-day re-registration
period from September 2, 2005 until
November 1, 2005.
(4) To re-register, the alien must file
the following: (1) Form I–821,
Application for Temporary Protected
Status, without fee; (2) Form I–765,
Application for Employment
Authorization; and (3) a biometric
services fee of $70 if the alien is age 14
or older, or if the alien is under age 14
and requesting an EAD. Applications
submitted without the required fees will
be returned to the applicant. If the alien
requests an EAD, he or she must submit
$175 or a properly documented fee
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
52429
waiver request, pursuant to 8 CFR
244.20, with Form I–765. An alien who
does not request employment
authorization must still file Form I–765
along with Form I–821, but he or she is
not required to submit the fee or a fee
waiver request for filing Form I–765.
Failure to re-register during the reregistration period without good cause
will result in the withdrawal of TPS. 8
U.S.C. 1254a(c)(3)(C). Aliens who have
previously registered for TPS but whose
applications remain pending should
follow these instructions to renew
temporary treatment benefits. Some
persons who had not previously applied
for TPS may be eligible for late initial
registration under 8 CFR 244.2.
(5) At least 60 days before this
extension ends on November 2, 2006,
the Secretary of Homeland Security,
after consultation with appropriate
agencies of the Government, will review
the designation of Burundi for TPS and
determine whether the conditions for
designation continue to be met. 8 U.S.C.
1254a(b)(3)(A). Notice of that
determination, including the basis for
the determination, will be published in
the Federal Register. Id.
(6) Information concerning the
extension of designation of Burundi for
TPS will be available at local USCIS
offices upon publication of this Notice
and on the USCIS Web site at https://
www.uscis.gov.
Dated: August 22, 2005.
Michael Chertoff,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05–17579 Filed 8–31–05; 10:06 am]
BILLING CODE 4410–10–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services
[CIS No. 2360–05]
RIN 1615–ZA28
Extension of the Designation of Sudan
for Temporary Protected Status;
Extension of Employment
Authorization Documentation for
Eligible TPS Beneficiaries
U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services, DHS.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The designation of Sudan for
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will
expire on November 2, 2005. This
Notice extends TPS for Sudan for 18
months, until May 2, 2007, and sets
forth procedures necessary for nationals
of Sudan (or aliens having no
E:\FR\FM\02SEN1.SGM
02SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 170 (Friday, September 2, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52425-52429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17579]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[CIS No. 2361-05]
RIN 1615-ZA29
Extension of the Designation of Burundi for Temporary Protected
Status; Extension of Employment Authorization Documentation for
Eligible TPS Beneficiaries
AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The designation of Burundi for Temporary Protected Status
(TPS) will expire on November 2, 2005. This Notice extends TPS for
Burundi for 12 months, until November 2, 2006, and sets forth
procedures for nationals of Burundi (or aliens having no nationality
who last habitually resided in Burundi) with TPS to re-register and to
apply for an extension of their employment authorization documents
(EADs) for the additional 12-month period. Certain nationals of Burundi
(or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in
Burundi) who previously have not applied for TPS may be eligible to
apply under the late initial registration provisions.
The Department of Homeland Security recognizes that some re-
registrants may not receive their new employment authorization
documents until after their current documents expire on November 2,
2005. Accordingly, when eligible TPS beneficiaries re-register for TPS
and appear at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Application
Support Center for collection of biometrics, stickers will be affixed
to their employment authorization documents to extend the validity of
the cards through February 2006.
[[Page 52426]]
DATES: The extension of the designation of TPS for Burundi is effective
as of November 2, 2005, and will remain in effect until November 2,
2006. The 60-day re-registration period begins September 2, 2005 and
will remain in effect until November 1, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Kopp Keyack, Residence and
Status Services, Office of Program and Regulations Development, U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security,
111 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20529,
telephone (202) 514-4754. This is a toll call.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Abbreviations and Terms Used in This Document
Act--Immigration and Nationality Act.
ASC--U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Application Support
Center.
DHS--Department of Homeland Security.
DOS--Department of State.
EAD--Employment Authorization Document.
RIC--U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Resource Information
Center.
TPS--Temporary Protected Status.
USCIS--U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
What Authority Does the Secretary of Homeland Security Have To Extend
the Designation of TPS for Burundi?
Under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act), 8
U.S.C. 1254a, the Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation
with appropriate agencies of the Government, is authorized to designate
a foreign state (or part thereof) for TPS. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1). The
Secretary of Homeland Security may then grant TPS to eligible nationals
of that foreign state (or aliens having no nationality who last
habitually resided in that state). 8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(1).
At least 60 days before the expiration of the TPS designation, or
any extension thereof, section 244(b)(3)(A) of the Act requires the
Secretary to review, after consultation with appropriate agencies of
the Government, the conditions in a foreign state designated for TPS to
determine whether the conditions for a TPS designation continue to be
met and, if so, the length of an extension of the TPS designation. 8
U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). If the Secretary determines that the foreign
state no longer meets the conditions for the TPS designation, he shall
terminate the designation, as provided in section 244(b)(3)(B) of the
Act. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B). Finally, section 244(b)(3)(C) of the Act
provides for the extension of TPS for an additional period of 6 months
(or, in the discretion of the Secretary, a period of 12 or 18 months)
unless the Secretary determines that a foreign state (or part thereof)
no longer meets the conditions for the designation at least 60 days
before the designation or extension is due to end. 8 U.S.C.
1254a(b)(3)(C).
Why Is the Secretary of Homeland Security Extending the TPS Designation
for Burundi for an Additional Year?
On November 4, 1997, the Attorney General published a Notice in the
Federal Register at 62 FR 59735 designating TPS for Burundi based upon
the ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions
within the country. The Attorney General subsequently extended the
designation for one year finding that the conditions prompting
designation continued to exist. In November 1999, the Attorney General
extended and re-designated TPS for Burundi by publishing a Notice in
the Federal Register at 64 FR 61123, based upon ongoing armed conflict
and extraordinary and temporary conditions. Since that date, the
Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security, respectively,
have extended TPS for Burundi five times, determining in each instance
that the conditions warranting the designation continued to be met. 65
FR 67404, 66 FR 46027, 67 FR 55875, 68 FR 52405, 69 FR 60165. The most
recent extension became effective on November 2, 2004, and is due to
end on November 2, 2005.
Over the past year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and
the Department of State (DOS) have continued to review conditions in
Burundi. Based on this review, DHS has concluded that a 12-month
extension is warranted because, although there has been progress in the
peace process, both the armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary
conditions that prompted designation persist. Further, DHS has
determined that it is not contrary to the national interest of the
United States to permit aliens who are eligible for TPS based on the
designation of Burundi to remain temporarily in the United States. See
8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(C).
On June 27, 2005, DOS submitted a memorandum to U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services (USCIS) recommending an extension of TPS for
Burundi (DOS Recommendation). The DOS Recommendation noted that while
there have been some steps towards long-term peace, progress has been
slower than expected. Specifically, the DOS Recommendation explains
that despite a cease-fire on May 15, 2005, violence has continued with
attacks on some neighborhoods of the capital, Bujumbura, as recently as
June. Questions also remain regarding the extent of civilian control
over the military. While there has been some improvement in security
conditions in parts of Burundi, fighting and resulting displacement of
the population continues around Bujumbura. USAID reports that, as of
February 2005, sporadic attacks temporarily displaced between 25,000 to
50,000 residents each month, impeding humanitarian assistance. In May
2004, the Security Council authorized a United Nations Operation in
Burundi (UNOB). The UNOB has been extended several times, most recently
until December 1, 2005, to help create the necessary security
conditions for the provision of humanitarian assistance and to carry
out the disarmament and demobilization portions of the national
Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration program. The World Bank
estimates that there are some 55,000 combatants to be demobilized; as
of May 10, 2005, only 10,000 former combatants had entered the national
demobilization process.
Burundi has an estimated population of 6.8 million people.
Currently, there are approximately 800,000 Burundian refugees,
approximately 12 percent of the total population, the vast majority of
whom are in neighboring Tanzania, with smaller numbers in Rwanda, the
Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries in the region. The
State Department reported that last year the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees estimated that 150,000 to 175,000 Burundian
nationals would return annually. However, the USCIS Resource
Information Center (RIC) reported that approximately 158,000 refugees
have returned to Burundi since 2002. RIC Report, June 23, 2005.
There are an estimated 120,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs)
within Burundi. This number, however, shifts according to the pace of
conflict.
As a result of 12 years of armed conflict, the humanitarian
situation in Burundi continues to be dire. According to the RIC Report:
Two million people required food aid in March 2005, an
increase of 40 percent from 2004;
One million two hundred thousand Burundi nationals lack
basic shelter;
The poverty level doubled to 67 percent between 1990 and
2003. Sixty-eight percent of the population lives on one dollar a day
or less compared to 40 percent in 1993.
[[Page 52427]]
Based upon this review, the Secretary of Homeland Security, after
consultation with appropriate Government agencies, finds that the
conditions that prompted the designation of Burundi for TPS continue to
be met. See 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). The armed conflict is ongoing, and
there are extraordinary and temporary conditions in Burundi that
prevent eligible Burundian nationals (or aliens having no nationality
who last habitually resided in Burundi) from returning in safety,
assuming these aliens meet the other statutory requirements for TPS.
The Secretary of Homeland Security also finds that it is not contrary
to the national interest of the United States to permit aliens who meet
the eligibility requirements of TPS to remain in the United States
temporarily. See 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(C). On the basis of these
findings, the Secretary of Homeland Security concludes that the
designation of Burundi for TPS should be extended for an additional 12-
month period. See 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(C).
If I Currently Have Benefits Through the TPS Designation of Burundi,
Should I Re-register for TPS?
Yes. If you already have received benefits through the TPS
designation of Burundi, your benefits will expire on November 2, 2005.
Accordingly, you must comply with the re-registration requirements
described below in order to maintain TPS benefits through November 2,
2006. TPS benefits include temporary protection against removal from
the United States, as well as employment authorization, during the TPS
designation period. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(1).
If I am Currently Registered for TPS, or Have a Pending Application for
TPS, How Do I Re-register Under the Extension?
All persons previously granted TPS under the designation of Burundi
who wish to maintain such status must re-register under the extension
by filing the following:
(1) Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, without
fee;
(2) Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (see the
chart below to determine whether you must submit the one hundred
seventy-five dollar ($175) filing fee with Form I-765) or a fee waiver
request;
(3) A biometric service fee of seventy dollars ($70) if you are 14
years of age or older, or if you are under 14 and are requesting an
Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The biometric service fee will
not be waived. 8 CFR 103.2(e)(4)(i), (iii). An application submitted
without the required fees will be returned to the applicant.
(4) Unlike previous registration periods, you do not need to submit
photographs with your TPS application because a photograph will be
taken when you appear at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) for
collection of biometrics. Biometric collection also includes capture of
your signature and fingerprints.
Aliens who have previously registered for TPS but whose
applications remain pending should follow these instructions if they
wish to renew their TPS benefits.
What Edition of the Form I-821 Must be Submitted?
Form I-821 has been revised. Only the Form I-821 with a revision
date of November 5, 2004 will be accepted. The bottom of each page of
the revised form reads, ``Form I-821 (Rev. 11/05/04)N.'' Submissions of
older versions of Form I-821 will be rejected.
Where Can I Obtain a Copy of the Revised Form I-821 Dated 11/5/04?
Immigration forms, including the revised Form I-821, are available
from the toll-free USCIS Forms line, 1-800-870-3676, from your local
USCIS district office, or from the USCIS Web site: https://
www.uscis.gov.
Where and When Should the Forms and Fees Be Submitted?
Submit the completed forms and applicable fee(s), if any, to the
USCIS Chicago, Illinois Lockbox, as noted below, during the 60-day re-
registration period that begins September 2, 2005 and ends November 1,
2005.
Who Is Eligible to Receive a Sticker To Extend the Validity of His or
Her EAD From November 2, 2005 Through February 2006?
An individual who is a national of Burundi (or an alien having no
nationality who last habitually resided in Burundi), who has applied
for and received an EAD under the TPS designation of Burundi, and who
has not had TPS withdrawn or denied may have a temporary extension
sticker affixed to his/her current TPS-related EAD when the individual
re-registers for TPS and appears at an ASC for collection of
biometrics. The sticker will indicate ``February 2006'' and will
thereby extend the validity of the EAD until February 28, 2006. USCIS
district offices will not be providing EAD extension stickers. This
benefit will be available only through ASCs.
How May Employers Determine Whether an EAD Has Been Automatically
Extended Through February 2006 and Is Therefore Acceptable for
Completion of the Form I-9?
For purposes of verifying identity and employment eligibility or
re-verifying employment eligibility on the Form I-9 until February
2006, employers of Burundian TPS beneficiaries whose EADs have been
extended by an extension sticker must accept such EAD if presented.
Employers will see a sticker that indicates ``February 2006'' on
either: (1) A Form I-766 bearing the notation ``A-12'' or ``C-19'' on
the face of the card under ``Category,'' or (2) a Form I-688B bearing
the notation ``274a.12(a)(12)'' or ``274a.12(c)(19)'' on the face of
the card under ``Provision of Law.'' This sticker extends validity of
the EAD through February 28, 2006.
Employers should not request proof of Burundian citizenship. Unless
put on notice that an employee is unauthorized to work, employers
presented with an EAD that contains a valid extension sticker, if it
appears to be genuine and appears to relate to the employee, should
accept the EAD as a valid ``List A'' document and should not ask for
additional Form I-9 documentation. This action by the Secretary of DHS
does not affect the right of an employee to present any legally
acceptable document as proof of identity and eligibility for
employment.
Employers are reminded that the laws prohibiting unfair
immigration-related employment practices remain in full force and that
this Notice does not supersede or in any way limit applicable
employment verification rules and policy guidance. For questions,
employers may call the USCIS Office of Business Liaison Employer
Hotline at 1-800-357-2099 to speak to a USCIS representative. Also,
employers may call the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Special
Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC)
Employer Hotline at 1-800-255-8155 or 1-800-362-2735 (TDD). Employees
or applicants may call the OSC Employee Hotline at 1-800-255-7688 or 1-
800-237-2515 (TDD) for information regarding the automatic extension.
Additional information is available on the OSC Web site at https://
www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc/.
Where Should an Applicant Submit His or Her Application for Re-
Registration or for Late Initial Registration?
The Form I-821, Form I-765, fees, and all supporting documentation
[[Page 52428]]
should be filed at the USCIS Chicago, Illinois Lockbox at: U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, Attn: TPS Burundi, P.O. Box
87583, Chicago, IL 60680-0583 or, for non-United States Postal Service
deliveries: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Attn: TPS
Burundi, 427 S. LaSalle--3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60605.
Please note that the above-stated addresses are not the same as
where you have submitted your forms during previous re-registration
periods. Aliens re-registering or filing for late initial registration
for TPS under the designation of Burundi should not send their TPS
forms and fees directly to a USCIS district office. Failure to follow
these instructions will delay processing of your TPS re-registration
application and may result in your application being returned to you.
Who Must Submit the $175 Filing Fee for the Form I-765?
(1) Although all re-registrants must submit the Form I-765, only
those re-registrants requesting an EAD, regardless of age, must submit
the $175 filing fee or a properly documented fee waiver request
pursuant to 8 CFR 244.20.
(2) Persons between the ages of 14 and 65 (inclusive) filing under
the late initial registration provisions who are requesting an EAD also
must submit the $175 fee or a fee waiver request pursuant to 8 CFR
244.20.
(3) Aliens who are submitting Form I-765 only for data-gathering
purposes (as explained in the chart below) are not required to submit a
$175 filing fee, nor are they required to submit a fee waiver request.
Note that TPS re-registrants and applicants for late initial
registration may wish to consider whether obtaining an EAD will be
helpful to them for reasons other than verifying employment eligibility
(for example, as a photo identity document and/or in order to
demonstrate eligibility for a driver's license in some states).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If Then
------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are re-registering for or renewing You must complete and file the
a TPS-related EAD, regardless of your Form I-765, Application for
age. Employment Authorization, with
the $175 fee or a fee waiver
request in accordance with 8
CFR 244.20.
You are not requesting an EAD.......... You must complete and file Form
I-765 (for data-gathering
purposes only) with no fee or
fee waiver request.\1\
You are applying for a TPS-related EAD You must complete and file Form
under the late initial registration I-765 with the $175 fee or a
provisions and are between the ages of fee waiver request.
14 and 65 (inclusive).
You are applying for a TPS-related EAD You must complete and file Form
under the late initial registration I-765 (for data-gathering
provisions and are under age 14 or purposes only) with no fee.
over age 65.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ An applicant who does not want an EAD does not need to submit the
$175 fee, but must complete and submit Form I-765 for data-gathering
purposes.
Who Must Submit the $70 Biometric Service Fee?
The $70 biometric service fee must be submitted by all aliens 14
years of age and older who are re-registering for TPS, renewing
temporary treatment benefits, or filing for late initial registration.
In addition, since a photograph, signature, and fingerprint are
required to produce an EAD, any applicant under the age of 14 choosing
to apply for an EAD must submit the $70 biometric service fee. The
biometric service fee cannot be waived. 8 CFR 103.2(e)(4)(i), (iii).
Does TPS Lead to Lawful Permanent Residence?
No. TPS is a temporary benefit that does not lead to lawful
permanent residence by itself or confer any other immigration status. 8
U.S.C. 1254a(e), (f)(1), and (h). TPS also does not cure any
immigration status violations, including periods of unlawful presence
that may have accrued prior to an alien's filing of a prima facie
eligible application for TPS which is ultimately granted, following
withdrawal of TPS, or after termination of a TPS designation. When a
country's TPS designation is terminated, TPS beneficiaries will have
the same immigration status they held prior to TPS (unless that status
has since expired or been terminated), or any other status they may
have acquired while registered for TPS. Accordingly, if an alien held
no lawful immigration status prior to being granted TPS and did not
obtain any other status during the TPS period, he or she will have no
lawful status upon the termination of the TPS designation. Once the
Secretary determines that a TPS designation should be terminated,
aliens who had TPS under that designation and who have not acquired
another immigration status are expected to plan for their departure
from the United States.
May I Apply for Another Immigration Benefit While I am Registered for
TPS?
Yes. Registration for TPS does not prevent you from applying for
another non-immigrant status, from filing for adjustment of status
based on an immigrant petition, or from applying for any other
immigration benefit or protection. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(5). For the
purposes of change of nonimmigrant status and adjustment of status, an
alien is considered as being in, and maintaining, lawful status as a
nonimmigrant during the period in which he or she is granted TPS. 8
U.S.C. 1254a(f)(4).
How Does an Application for TPS Affect My Application for Asylum or
Other Immigration Benefits?
An application for TPS does not affect an application for asylum or
any other immigration benefit. Denial of an application for asylum or
any other immigration benefit does not affect an applicant's TPS
eligibility, although the grounds for denying one form of relief may
also be grounds for denying TPS. For example, a person who has been
convicted of a particularly serious crime is not eligible for asylum or
TPS. 8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(2)(A)(ii); 8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(2)(B)(ii).
Does This Extension Allow Nationals of Burundi (or Aliens Having No
Nationality Who Last Habitually Resided in Burundi) To Apply for TPS if
They Entered the United States After November 9, 1999?
No. This is a Notice of an extension of the TPS designation of
Burundi, not a Notice re-designating Burundi for TPS. An extension of a
TPS designation does not change the required dates of continuous
residence and continuous physical presence in the United States. This
extension does not expand TPS availability to those beyond the current
TPS eligibility requirements for Burundi. To be eligible for benefits
under this extension, nationals of
[[Page 52429]]
Burundi (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in
Burundi) must have been continuously physically present in the United
States and must have continuously resided in the United States since
November 9, 1999.
Are Certain Aliens Ineligible for TPS?
Yes. There are certain criminal and terrorism-related
inadmissibility grounds that render an alien ineligible for TPS. 8
U.S.C. 1254a(c)(2)(A)(iii). Further, aliens who have been convicted of
any felony, or two or more misdemeanors, committed in the United States
are ineligible for TPS under section 244(c)(2)(B) of the Act, 8 U.S.C.
1254a(c)(2)(B), as are aliens described in the bars to asylum in
section 208(b)(2)(A) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(2)(A).
What Is Late Initial Registration?
Some aliens who did not file for TPS during the initial
registration period may be eligible for late initial registration under
8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(1)(A) and (c)(2) and 8 CFR 244.2(f)(2) and (g). To
apply for late initial registration an applicant must:
(1) Be a national of Burundi (or an alien who has no nationality
and who last habitually resided in Burundi);
(2) Have continuously resided in the United States since November
9, 1999;
(3) Have been continuously physically present in the United States
since November 9, 1999; and
(4) Be admissible as an immigrant, except as provided under section
244(c)(2)(A) of the Act, and not ineligible under section 244(c)(2)(B)
of the Act.
Additionally, the applicant must be able to demonstrate that during
the registration period for the initial designation (from November 4,
1997 to November 3, 1998), or during the registration period for the
re-designation (from November 9, 1999 to November 2, 2000), he or she:
(1) Was a nonimmigrant or had been granted voluntary departure or
any relief from removal;
(2) Had an application for change of status, adjustment of status,
asylum, voluntary departure, or any relief from removal or change of
status pending or subject to further review or appeal;
(3) Was a parolee or had a pending request for reparole; or
(4) Is the spouse or child of an alien currently eligible to be a
TPS registrant.
An applicant for late initial registration must file an application
for late registration within 60 days of the expiration or termination
of the above-described conditions. 8 CFR 244.2(g). All late initial
registration applications for TPS pursuant to the TPS extension of
Burundi should be submitted to the USCIS lockbox address listed above.
What Happens When This Extension of TPS Expires on November 2, 2006?
At least 60 days before this extension of the TPS designation for
Burundi expires on November 2, 2006, the Secretary of Homeland
Security, after consultation with appropriate agencies of the
Government, will review conditions in Burundi and determine whether the
conditions for designation continue to be met at that time, or whether
the TPS designation should be terminated. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3). Notice
of that determination, including the basis for the determination, will
be published in the Federal Register.
Notice of Extension of Designation of TPS for Burundi
By the authority vested in the Secretary of Homeland Security under
sections 244(b)(3)(A) and (b)(3)(C) of the Act, DHS has determined,
after consultation with the appropriate Government agencies, that the
conditions that prompted designation of Burundi for TPS continue to be
met. Accordingly, DHS orders as follows:
(1) The designation of Burundi under section 244(b)(1)(C) of the
Act is extended for an additional 12-month period from November 2,
2005, to November 2, 2006. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(C).
(2) There are approximately 30 nationals of Burundi (or aliens
having no nationality who last habitually resided in Burundi) who have
been granted TPS and who are eligible for re-registration.
(3) To maintain TPS, a national of Burundi (or an alien having no
nationality who last habitually resided in Burundi) who was granted TPS
during one of the initial designation periods (or through late initial
registration) and who re-registered during the subsequent extensions of
this designation, if any, must re-register for TPS during the 60-day
re-registration period from September 2, 2005 until November 1, 2005.
(4) To re-register, the alien must file the following: (1) Form I-
821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, without fee; (2) Form
I-765, Application for Employment Authorization; and (3) a biometric
services fee of $70 if the alien is age 14 or older, or if the alien is
under age 14 and requesting an EAD. Applications submitted without the
required fees will be returned to the applicant. If the alien requests
an EAD, he or she must submit $175 or a properly documented fee waiver
request, pursuant to 8 CFR 244.20, with Form I-765. An alien who does
not request employment authorization must still file Form I-765 along
with Form I-821, but he or she is not required to submit the fee or a
fee waiver request for filing Form I-765. Failure to re-register during
the re-registration period without good cause will result in the
withdrawal of TPS. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(3)(C). Aliens who have previously
registered for TPS but whose applications remain pending should follow
these instructions to renew temporary treatment benefits. Some persons
who had not previously applied for TPS may be eligible for late initial
registration under 8 CFR 244.2.
(5) At least 60 days before this extension ends on November 2,
2006, the Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation with
appropriate agencies of the Government, will review the designation of
Burundi for TPS and determine whether the conditions for designation
continue to be met. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). Notice of that
determination, including the basis for the determination, will be
published in the Federal Register. Id.
(6) Information concerning the extension of designation of Burundi
for TPS will be available at local USCIS offices upon publication of
this Notice and on the USCIS Web site at https://www.uscis.gov.
Dated: August 22, 2005.
Michael Chertoff,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05-17579 Filed 8-31-05; 10:06 am]
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