Visas: Documentation of Nonimmigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended, 10060-10064 [E7-3871]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 44 / Wednesday, March 7, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 41
RIN 1400–AB49
[Public Notice 5711]
Visas: Documentation of
Nonimmigrants Under the Immigration
and Nationality Act, as Amended
State Department.
Final rule.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the
Department of States regulations related
to students and exchange visitors to
reflect changes introduced by Public
Law108–441, and numerous
administrative and procedural changes
that have occurred with respect to these
paragraphs following the transfer of the
exchange visitor INA 212(e) waiver
authority in 1999 from the United States
Information Agency (USIA) to the
Bureau of Consular Affairs in the
Department of State. A number of these
changes are non-substantive (i.e., agency
name changes [the Department of
Homeland Security in place of the
Immigration and Naturalization
Service], updating of office
designations, etc.). Other changes reflect
statutory amendments regarding waivers
for the exchange visitor physicians and
the proposed reconstitution of the
Exchange Visitor Waiver Review Board.
DATES: This rule is effective on March 7,
2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Charles Robertson, Legislation and
Regulations Division, Visa Services,
Department of State, Washington, DC
20520–0106, (202) 663–1202, e-mail
(robertsonce3@state.gov).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Why is the Department promulgating
this rule?
On October 1, 1999, the United States
Information Agency was consolidated
into the United States Department of
State. The reorganization was carried
out in accordance with the Foreign
Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of
1998, which also called for the Arms
Control and Disarmament Agency and
some functions of the Agency for
International Development to be
integrated into the Department of State.
As a consequence of this extensive
merger, the Department of State issued
a final rule (64 FR 54538–54541)
amending USIA’s regulations. The final
rule repealed, revised, re-designated,
and otherwise amended USIA’s
authorities. Among other things, the
USIA Waiver Review Branch of the
Office of the General Counsel was
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moved into the Department of State’s
Visa Office. The USIA Waiver Review
Branch became the Waiver Review
Division of the Office of Legislation,
Regulations, and Advisory Assistance,
Visa Services, Bureau of Consular
Affairs, CA/VO/L/W. It maintains its
previous responsibilities for reviewing
applications by J–1 exchange visitors
who are seeking waivers of the two-year
foreign residence requirement set forth
at Section 212(e) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (INA). The Division
makes recommendations to the
Department of Homeland Security
concerning such waivers.
Do these administrative changes really
need changes in the authorities?
The Department of State inherited a
multitude of functions as a result of the
October 1, 1999 consolidation of USIA
into the Department of State. The
pertinent regulations to the waiver
function contain errors as well as outof-date references, so this regulation
corrects these items. Also, Public Law
108–441, signed into law on December
3, 2004, amended section 214(l) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act, which
makes certain changes regarding foreign
medical graduates who obtain J–1 status
in order to receive graduate medical
education or training.
What specific errors does this
regulation address?
Our regulation updates the required Jvisa application form (Certificate of
Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J–1)
Status), IAP–66, to reflect the current
Department-approved designation, DS–
2019. The term ‘‘Secretary of State’’
replaces the term ‘‘Director of USIA’’.
The Department of Homeland Security
replaces the Immigration and
Naturalization Service. The medical
schools have been clearly identified as
‘‘foreign’’ medical schools. The Waiver
Review Board, which is occasionally
and incorrectly referred to as the
‘‘division’’ rather than the ‘‘board’’, is
also herein corrected. Finally, references
to USIA’s authorities previously located
at 22 CFR part 514 have been corrected
to reflect their relocation at 22 CFR
41.62 and 41.63. The regulation also
simplifies language identifying the
jurisdictional DHS office to which the
waiver recommendation is sent. The
language is flexible permitting DHS to
designate different offices without the
need for the Department to modify these
regulations.
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Why is the Department making the
review of persecution cases with the
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights
and Labor (DRL) permissive rather than
mandatory?
Section 212 (e) of the Act grants the
Department of Homeland Security
(DHS), exclusive authority to determine
the existence of prospective persecution
in these cases. Thus, the Visa Office
honors the holding of DHS in these
cases and perceives no need to submit
all cases for further review. We have
found that the results are sufficiently
consistent with DHS findings to render
this action superfluous. Furthermore,
the Waiver Review Division will only
submit a case for an opinion if it
believes that circumstances may have
meaningfully changed since the DHS
finding of persecution.
Why is the Waiver Review Board being
reconstituted?
The Waiver Review Board provided
USIA with an excellent means of
deciding cases that have compelling
competing interests. The Visa Office
found the Board to be a useful tool for
representing differing interests and for
reaching a consensus on difficult cases.
This regulation proposes to realign the
representation of the Board by
apportioning Board membership
between policy formulators in the
Bureau of Consular Affairs and
principals administering the exchange
visitor program interests in the Bureau
of Education and Cultural Affairs. The
rule proposes to designate the Principal
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Consular
Affairs as the chair.
Why is the Department not clearly
identifying the number of cases that can
be approved annually under the
Conrad program?
The old regulation indicates that 20
exchange visitor physicians could
qualify for this program per state
annually. But the law was amended to
increase that number to 30. Further
modifications to the numerical
limitation on Conrad program
beneficiaries are a distinct possibility;
consequently, to avoid periodic
amendment of the regulation, the
language is being modified to refer nonspecifically to the annual limitation.
Regulatory Findings
Administrative Procedure Act
This regulation involves a foreign
affairs function of the United States and,
therefore, in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
553(a)(1), is not subject to the rule
making procedures set forth at 5 U.S.C.
553.
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Regulatory Flexibility Act/Executive
Order 13272
Small Business. This rule is not
subject to the notice-and-comment
rulemaking provisions of the
Administrative Procedure Act or any
other act, and, accordingly it does not
require analysis under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.)
and Executive Order 13272, section 3(b).
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of
1995
Section 202 of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UFMA),
Public Law 104–4, 109 Stat. 48, 2 U.S.C.
1532, generally requires agencies to
prepare a statement before proposing
any rule that may result in an annual
expenditure of $100 million or more by
State, local, or tribal governments, or by
the private sector. This rule will not
result in any such expenditure, nor will
it significantly or uniquely affect small
governments.
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The Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
This rule is not a major rule as
defined by 5 U.S.C. 804, for purposes of
congressional review of agency
rulemaking under the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of
1996, Public Law 104–121. This rule
will not result in an annual effect on the
economy of $100 million or more; a
major increase in costs or prices; or
adverse effects on competition,
employment, investment, productivity,
innovation, or the ability of United
States-based companies to compete with
foreign based companies in domestic
and import markets.
Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Review
The Department of State has reviewed
this rule to ensure its consistency with
the regulatory philosophy and
principles set forth in Executive Order
12866 and has determined that the
benefits of the proposed regulation
justify its costs. The Department does
not consider the rule to be an
economically significant action within
the scope of section 3(f)(1) of the
Executive Order since it is not likely to
have an annual effect on the economy
of $100 million or more or to adversely
affect in a material way the economy, a
sector of the economy, competition,
jobs, the environment, public health or
safety, or state, local, or tribal
governments or communities.
Executive Orders 12372 and 13132:
Federalism
This regulation will not have
substantial direct effects on the States,
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on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government. Nor will the rule
have federalism implications warranting
the application of Executive Orders No.
12372 and No. 13132.
Executive Order 12988: Civil Justice
Reform
The Department has reviewed the
proposed regulations in light of sections
3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order No.
12988 to eliminate ambiguity, minimize
litigation, establish clear legal
standards, and reduce burden.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule does not impose information
collection requirements under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction
Act, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 35.
List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 41
Aliens, Foreign officials, Immigration,
Nonimmigrants, Passports and Visas,
Students.
I For the reasons stated in the preamble,
the Department of State amends 22 CFR
Part 41 to read as follows:
PART 41—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 41
continues to read:
I
Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1104; Pub. L. 105–277,
112 Stat. 2681–795 through 2681–801.
Additional authority is derived from Section
104 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and
Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
(IIRIRA) Pub. L. 104–208, 110 Stat. 3546.
2. Section 41.62 is amended by
revising paragraphs (a)(1), (c)(1)(i),
(c)(1)(ii), and (c)(3) to read as follows:
I
§ 41.62
Exchange visitors.
(a) * * *
(1) Has been accepted to participate,
and intends to participate, in an
exchange visitor program designated by
the Bureau of Education and Cultural
Affairs, Department of State, as
evidenced by the presentation of a
properly executed Form DS–2019,
Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange
Visitor (J–1) Status;
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) The alien’s participation in one or
more exchange programs was wholly or
partially financed, directly or indirectly,
by the U.S. Government or by the
government of the alien’s last legal
permanent residence; or
(ii) At the time of the issuance of an
exchange visitor visa and admission to
the United States, or, if not required to
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obtain a nonimmigrant visa, at the time
of admission as an exchange visitor, or
at the time of acquisition of such status
after admission, the alien is a national
and resident or, if not a national, a legal
permanent resident (or has status
equivalent thereto) of a country which
the Secretary of State has designated,
through publication by public notice in
the Federal Register, as clearly
requiring the services of persons
engaged in the field of specialized
knowledge or skill in which the alien
will engage during the exchange visitor
program; or
*
*
*
*
*
(3) The country in which 2 years’
residence and physical presence will
satisfy the requirements of INA 212(e) in
the case of an alien determined to be
subject to such requirements is the
country of which the alien is a national
and resident, or, if not a national, a legal
permanent resident (or has status
equivalent thereto).
*
*
*
*
*
I 3. Section 41.63 is amended by
revising paragraphs (a)(1)(ii), (a)(2),
(a)(3), (b)(1), (b)(2), (c)(1), (c)(3), (c)(4)
introductory text, (c)(5), (d)(1), (d)(2),
(d)(3), (e)(1), (e)(2), (e)(3)(i), (e)(3)(ii),
(e)(3)(iii), (e)(3)(iv), (e)(3)(v), (e)(3)(viii),
(e)(4), (f) and (g) to read as follows:
§ 41.63 Two-year home-country physical
presence requirement.
(a) * * *
(1) * * *
*
*
*
*
*
(ii) Who at the time of admission or
acquisition of status under 101(a)(15)(J)
was a national or legal permanent
resident of a country which the
Secretary of State, pursuant to
regulations prescribed by him, had
designated as clearly requiring the
services of persons engaged in the field
of specialized knowledge or skill in
which the alien was engaged [See the
most recent ‘‘Revised Exchange Visitor
Skills List’’, at https://
exchanges.state.gov/education/
jexchanges/participation/skills_list.pdf];
or
*
*
*
*
*
(2) Upon the favorable
recommendation of the Secretary of
State, pursuant to the request of an
interested United States Government
agency (or in the case of an alien who
is a graduate of a foreign medical school
pursuing a program in graduate medical
education or training, pursuant to the
request of a State Department of Public
Health, or its equivalent), or of the
Secretary of Homeland Security after the
latter has determined that departure
from the United States would impose
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exceptional hardship upon the alien’s
spouse or child (if such spouse or child
is a citizen of the United States or a
legal permanent resident alien), or that
the alien cannot return to the country of
his nationality or last legal permanent
residence because he would be subject
to persecution on account of race,
religion, or political opinion, the
Secretary of Homeland Security may
waive the requirement of such two-year
foreign residence abroad in the case of
any alien whose admission to the
United States is found by the Secretary
of Homeland Security to be in the
public interest except that in the case of
a waiver requested by a State
Department of Public Health, or its
equivalent, the waiver shall be subject
to the requirements of section 214(l) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1184).
(3) Except in the case of an alien who
is a graduate of a foreign medical school
pursuing a program in graduate medical
education or training, the Secretary of
Homeland Security, upon the favorable
recommendation of the Secretary of
State, may also waive such two-year
foreign residence requirement in any
case in which the foreign country of the
alien’s nationality or last legal
permanent residence has furnished the
Secretary of State a statement in writing
that it has no objection to such waiver
in the case of such alien.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an alien
who is a graduate of a foreign medical
school pursuing a program in graduate
medical education or training may
obtain a waiver of such two-year foreign
residence requirements if said alien
meets the requirements of section 214(l)
of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1184) and paragraphs (a) (2)
and (e) of this section.
(b) * * *
(1) An exchange visitor who seeks a
waiver of the two-year home-country
residence and physical presence
requirement on the grounds that such
requirement would impose exceptional
hardship upon the exchange visitor’s
spouse or child (if such spouse or child
is a citizen of the United States or a
legal permanent resident alien), or on
the grounds that such requirement
would subject the exchange visitor to
persecution on account of race, religion,
or political opinion, shall submit the
application for waiver (DHS Form I–
612) to the jurisdictional office of the
Department of Homeland Security.
(2)(i) If the Secretary of Homeland
Security (Secretary of DHS) determines
that compliance with the two-year
home-country residence and physical
presence requirement would impose
exceptional hardship upon the spouse
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or child of the exchange visitor, or
would subject the exchange visitor to
persecution on account of race, religion,
or political opinion, the Secretary of
DHS shall transmit a copy of his
determination together with a summary
of the details of the expected hardship
or persecution, to the Waiver Review
Division, in the Department of State’s
Bureau of Consular Affairs.
(ii) With respect to those cases in
which the Secretary of DHS has
determined that compliance with the
two-year home-country residence and
physical presence requirement would
impose exceptional hardship upon the
spouse or child of the exchange visitor,
the Waiver Review Division shall
review the program, policy, and foreign
relations aspects of the case, make a
recommendation, and forward it to the
appropriate office at DHS. If it deems it
appropriate, the Waiver Review
Division may request the views of each
of the exchange visitors’ sponsors
concerning the waiver application.
Except as set forth in paragraph (g)(4) of
this section, the recommendation of the
Waiver Review Division shall constitute
the recommendation of the Department
of State.
(iii) With respect to those cases in
which the Secretary of DHS has
determined that compliance with the
two-year home-country residence and
physical presence requirement would
subject the exchange visitor to
persecution on account of race, religion,
or political opinion, the Waiver Review
Division shall review the program,
policy, and foreign relations aspects of
the case, including consultation if
deemed appropriate with the Bureau of
Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs
of the United States Department of
State, make a recommendation, and
forward such recommendation to the
Secretary of DHS. Except as set forth in
paragraph (g)(4) of this section, the
recommendation of the Waiver Review
Division shall constitute the
recommendation of the Department of
State and such recommendation shall be
forwarded to DHS.
(c) * * *
(1) A United States Government
agency may request a waiver of the twoyear home-country residence and
physical presence requirement on behalf
of an exchange visitor if such exchange
visitor is actively and substantially
involved in a program or activity
sponsored by or of interest to such
agency.
*
*
*
*
*
(3) A request by a United States
Government agency shall be signed by
the head of the agency, or his or her
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designee, and shall include copies of all
IAP 66 or DS–2019 forms issued to the
exchange visitor, his or her current
address, and his or her country of
nationality or last legal permanent
residence.
(4) A request by a United States
Government agency, excepting the
Department of Veterans Affairs, on
behalf of an exchange visitor who is a
foreign medical graduate who entered
the United States to pursue graduate
medical education or training, and who
is willing to provide primary care or
specialty medicine in a designated
primary care Health Professional
shortage Area, or a Medically
Underserved Area, or psychiatric care in
a Mental Health Professional Shortage
Area, shall, in additional to the
requirement set forth in paragraphs
(c)(2) and (3) of this section, include:
*
*
*
*
*
(5) Except as set forth in paragraph
(g)(4) of this section, the
recommendation of the Waiver Review
Division shall constitute the
recommendation of the Department of
State and such recommendation shall be
forwarded to the Secretary of DHS.
(d) * * *
(1) Applications for waiver of the twoyear home-country residence and
physical presence requirement may be
supported by a statement of no objection
by the exchange visitor’s country of
nationality or last legal permanent
residence. The statement of no objection
shall be directed to the Secretary of
State through diplomatic channels; i.e.,
from the country’s Foreign Office to the
Department of State through the U.S.
Mission in the foreign country
concerned, or through the foreign
country’s head of mission or duly
appointed designee in the United States
to the Secretary of State in the form of
a diplomatic note. This note shall
include applicant’s full name, date and
place of birth, and present address. If
deemed appropriate, the Department of
State may request the views of each of
the exchange visitor’s sponsors
concerning the waiver application.
(2) The Waiver Review Division shall
review the program, policy, and foreign
relations aspects of the case and forward
its recommendation to the Secretary of
DHS. Except as set forth in § 41.63(g)(4),
infra, the recommendation of the Waiver
Review Division shall constitute the
recommendation of the Department of
State.
(3) An exchange visitor who is a
graduate of a foreign medical school and
who is pursuing a program in graduate
medical education or training in the
United States is prohibited under
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section 212(e) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act from applying for a
waiver solely on the basis of no
objection from his or her country of
nationality or last legal permanent
residence. However, an alien who is a
graduate of a foreign medical school
pursuing a program in graduate medical
education or training may obtain a
waiver of such two-year foreign
residence requirements if said alien
meets the requirements of section 214(l)
of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1184) and paragraphs (a)(2)
and (e) of this section.
(e) * * *
(1) Pursuant to Public Law 103–416,
in the case of an alien who is a graduate
of a medical school pursuing a program
in graduate medical education or
training, a request for a waiver of the
two-year home-country residence and
physical presence requirement may be
made by a State department of Public
Health, or its equivalent. Such waiver
shall be subject to the requirements of
section 214(l) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1194(l)) and
this § 41.63.
(2) With respect to such waiver under
Public Law 104–416, if such alien is
contractually obligated to return to his
or her home country upon completion
of the graduate medical education or
training, the Secretary of State is to be
furnished with a statement in writing
that the country to which such alien is
required to return has no objection to
such waiver. The no objection statement
shall be furnished to the Secretary of
State in the manner and form set forth
in paragraph (d) of this section and,
additionally, shall bear a notation that it
is being furnished pursuant to Public
Law 103–416.
(3) * * *
(i) A completed DS–3035. Copies of
these forms may be obtained from the
Visa Office or online at https://
www.travel.state.gov.
(ii) A letter from the Director of the
designated State Department of Public
Health, or its equivalent, which
identifies the foreign medical graduate
by name, country of nationality or
country of last legal permanent
residence, and date of birth, and states
that it is in the public interest that a
waiver of the two-year home residence
requirement be granted;
(iii) An employment contract between
the foreign medical graduate and the
health care facility named in the waiver
application, to include the name and
address of the health care facility, and
the specific geographical area or areas in
which the foreign medical graduate will
practice medicine. The employment
contract shall include a statement by the
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foreign medical graduate that he or she
agrees to meet the requirements set forth
in section 214(l) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act. The term of the
employment contract shall be at least
three years and the geographical areas of
employment shall only be in areas,
within the respective state, designated
by the Secretary of Health and Human
Services as having a shortage of health
care professionals, unless the waiver
request is for an alien who will practice
medicine in a facility that serves
patients who reside in one or more
geographic areas so designated by the
Secretary of Health and Human Services
without regard to whether such facility
is located within such a designated
geographic area. For the latter situation,
which will be referred to as ‘‘nondesignated requests’’, the contract
should also state that the term of the
employment contract shall be at least
three years and employment shall only
be in a facility that serves patients who
reside in one or more geographic areas
so designed by the Secretary of Health
and Human Services as having a
shortage of health care professionals.
(iv) Evidence establishing that the
geographic area or areas in the state in
which the foreign medical graduate will
practice medicine or where patients
who will be served by the foreign
medical graduates reside, are areas
which have been designated by the
Secretary of Health and Human Services
as having a shortage of health care
professionals. For purposes of this
paragraph, the geographic area or areas
must be designated by the Department
of Health and Human Services as a
Health Professional Shortage Area
(‘‘HPSA’’) or as a Medically
Underserved Area/Medically
Underserved Population (‘‘MUA/
MUP’’).
(v) Copies of all forms IAP 66 or DS–
2019 issued to the foreign medical
graduate seeking the waiver;
*
*
*
*
*
(viii) Because of the numerical
limitations on the approval of waivers
under Public Law 103–416, i.e., no more
than the maximum number of waivers
for each State each fiscal year as
mandated by law, each application from
a State Department of Public Health, or
its equivalent, shall be numbered
sequentially, beginning on October 1 of
each year. The ‘‘non-designated’’
requests will also be numbered
sequentially with appropriate identifier.
(4) The Waiver Review Division shall
review the program, policy, and foreign
relations aspects of the case and forward
its recommendation to the Secretary of
DHS. Except as set forth in paragraph
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(g)(4) of this section, the
recommendation of the Waiver Review
Division shall constitute the
recommendation of the Department of
State.
(f) Changed Circumstances. An
applicant for a waiver on the grounds of
exceptional hardship or probable
persecution on account of race, religion,
or political opinion, has a continuing
obligation to inform the Department of
Homeland Security of changed
circumstances material to his or her
pending application.
(g) The Waiver Review Board.
(1) The Waiver Review Board
(‘‘Board’’) shall consist of the following
persons or their designees:
(i) The Principal Deputy Assistant
Secretary of the Bureau of Consular
Affairs;
(ii) The Director of Office of Public
Affairs for the Bureau of Consular
Affairs;
(iii) The Legislative Management
Officer for Consular Affairs, Bureau of
Legislative Affairs;
(iv) The Director of the Office of
Exchange Coordination and Designation
in the Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs; and
(v) The Director of the Office of Policy
and Evaluation in the Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs.
(2) A person who has had substantial
prior involvement in a particular case
referred to the Board may not be
appointed to, or serve on, the Board for
that particular case unless the Bureau of
Consular Affairs determines that the
individual’s inclusion on the Board is
otherwise necessary or practicably
unavoidable.
(3) The Principal Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Consular Affairs, or his or
her designee, shall serve as Board
Chairman. No designee under this
paragraph (g)(3) shall serve for more
than 2 years.
(4) Cases will be referred to the Board
at the discretion of the Chief, Waiver
Review Division, of the Visa Office. The
Chief, Waiver Review Division, or his or
her designee may, at the Chairman’s
discretion, appear and present facts
related to the case but shall not
participate in Board deliberations.
(5) The Chairman of the Board shall
be responsible for convening the Board
and distributing all necessary
information to its members. Upon being
convened, the Board shall review the
case file and weigh the request against
the program, policy, and foreign
relations aspects of the case.
(6) The Bureau of Consular Affairs
shall appoint, on a case-by-case basis,
from among the attorneys in the State
Department’s Office of Legal Advisor
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one attorney to serve as legal advisor to
the Board.
(7) At the conclusion of its review of
the case, the Board shall make a written
recommendation either to grant or to
deny the waiver application. The
written recommendation of a majority of
the Board shall constitute the
recommendation of the Board. Such
recommendation shall be promptly
transmitted by the Chairman to the
Chief, Waiver Review Division.
(8) At the conclusion of its review of
the case, the Board shall make a written
recommendation either to grant or to
deny the waiver application. The
written recommendation of a majority of
the Board shall constitute the
recommendation of the Board. Such
recommendation shall be promptly
transmitted by the Chairman to the
Chief, Waiver Review Division.
Dated: February 23, 2007.
Maura Harty,
Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs,
Department of State.
[FR Doc. E7–3871 Filed 3–6–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
28 CFR Parts 0, 5, 12, 17, 65, and 73
[Docket No. NSD 100; AG Order No. 2865–
2007]
Office of the Attorney General;
National Security Division
Department of Justice.
Final rule.
AGENCY:
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with RULES
ACTION:
SUMMARY: This rule amends part 0 of
title 28 of the Code of Federal
Regulations to reflect the establishment
of the National Security Division at the
Department of Justice. The National
Security Division was created by section
506 of the USA PATRIOT Improvement
and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (‘‘the
Act’’). This rule, which sets forth the
Division’s organization, mission and
functions, amends the Code of Federal
Regulations in order to conform the
Department’s regulations to the Act and
to reflect accurately the Department’s
internal management structure.
This rule also amends the
Department’s regulations in title 28
other than in part 0 to make
nomenclature and organizational
changes reflecting the establishment of
the National Security Division.
DATES: Effective Date: March 7, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jessie Liu, National Security Division,
U.S. Department of Justice, Washington,
DC 20530; Telephone (202) 514–1057.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:48 Mar 06, 2007
Jkt 211001
On March
9, 2006, the President signed the USA
PATRIOT Improvement and
Reauthorization Act of 2005 (‘‘the Act’’),
Public Law 109–277 (120 Stat. 192).
Section 506 of the Act created a new
National Security Division (NSD) in the
Department of Justice. This rule
conforms the Department’s regulations
to the Act and sets forth the new
Division’s organization, mission, and
functions.
This rule reflects the establishment of
the NSD, reporting to the Deputy
Attorney General, by consolidating the
resources of the Office of Intelligence
Policy and Review (OIPR) and the
Criminal Division’s Counterterrorism
and Counterespionage Sections. These
organizational changes will strengthen
the Department’s efforts to combat
terrorism and other threats to national
security.
Consolidating OIPR and the Criminal
Division’s Counterterrorism and
Counterespionage Sections under the
NSD will ensure greater coordination
and unity of purpose among the
Department’s primary organizational
units that handle core national security
matters. These changes will allow the
Department to maximize the
effectiveness of prosecutors handling
cases in the core national security fields
of counterterrorism and
counterespionage, who will continue to
carry out the same critical functions
they handle today. The NSD will be
positioned to coordinate all related
Department resources and ensure that
critical information is shared as
appropriate across the Department and
the Executive Branch.
The mission of the NSD is to
coordinate the Department’s efforts in
carrying out its core mission of
combating terrorism and protecting
national security. Among the major
functions the NSD will perform are the
following:
• Develop, enforce, and supervise the
application of all federal criminal laws
related to the national counterterrorism
and counterespionage enforcement
programs, except those specifically
assigned to other Divisions;
• Prosecute and coordinate a wide
range of criminal prosecutions and
investigations targeting individuals and
organizations involving terrorist acts at
home or against U.S. persons or
interests abroad or that assist in the
financing of or providing support to
those acts;
• Administer the Foreign Intelligence
Surveillance Act;
• Supervise sensitive areas of law
enforcement related to the activities of
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
the National Security Division, except
tasks assigned to other Divisions;
• Advise, assist, coordinate with, and
train those in the law enforcement
community, including federal, state, and
local prosecutors, investigative agencies
and foreign criminal justice entities
(provided that any training of foreign
criminal justice entities should be
conducted in coordination with the
Criminal Division), in matters related to
the Division’s activities;
• Advise the Attorney General, the
Office of Management and Budget, and
the White House on matters relating to
the national security activities of the
United States; and
• Through the Assistant Attorney
General for National Security, serve as
the Department of Justice’s primary
liaison to the Director of National
Intelligence.
This rule also makes further
amendments to the Department’s
regulations in title 28 other than in part
0 in order to make nomenclature and
organizational changes reflecting the
establishment of the NSD. Generally, the
changes involve either adding the NSD
to the list of the Department’s
components or substituting the NSD in
place of either the Criminal Division or
the Office of Intelligence Policy and
Review. In some instances, the Assistant
Attorney General for National Security
is substituted for the Assistant Attorney
General, Criminal Division or for the
Counsel for Intelligence Policy, as
appropriate.
This rule only makes changes to the
Department’s internal organization and
structure and does not affect the rights
or obligations of the general public.
Administrative Procedure Act—5
U.S.C. 553
This rule is a rule of agency
organization and relates to a matter
relating to agency management and is
therefore exempt from the requirements
of prior notice and comment and a 30day delay in the effective date. See 5
U.S.C. 553(a)(2), 553(b)(3)(A).
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Attorney General, in accordance
with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 605(b)), has reviewed this
regulation and by approving it certifies
that this regulation will not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities
because it pertains to personnel and
administrative matters affecting the
Department. Further, a Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis was not required to
be prepared for this final rule because
the Department was not required to
E:\FR\FM\07MRR1.SGM
07MRR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 7, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10060-10064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-3871]
[[Page 10060]]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 41
RIN 1400-AB49
[Public Notice 5711]
Visas: Documentation of Nonimmigrants Under the Immigration and
Nationality Act, as Amended
AGENCY: State Department.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Department of States regulations
related to students and exchange visitors to reflect changes introduced
by Public Law108-441, and numerous administrative and procedural
changes that have occurred with respect to these paragraphs following
the transfer of the exchange visitor INA 212(e) waiver authority in
1999 from the United States Information Agency (USIA) to the Bureau of
Consular Affairs in the Department of State. A number of these changes
are non-substantive (i.e., agency name changes [the Department of
Homeland Security in place of the Immigration and Naturalization
Service], updating of office designations, etc.). Other changes reflect
statutory amendments regarding waivers for the exchange visitor
physicians and the proposed reconstitution of the Exchange Visitor
Waiver Review Board.
DATES: This rule is effective on March 7, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Robertson, Legislation and
Regulations Division, Visa Services, Department of State, Washington,
DC 20520-0106, (202) 663-1202, e-mail (robertsonce3@state.gov).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Why is the Department promulgating this rule?
On October 1, 1999, the United States Information Agency was
consolidated into the United States Department of State. The
reorganization was carried out in accordance with the Foreign Affairs
Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998, which also called for the Arms
Control and Disarmament Agency and some functions of the Agency for
International Development to be integrated into the Department of
State.
As a consequence of this extensive merger, the Department of State
issued a final rule (64 FR 54538-54541) amending USIA's regulations.
The final rule repealed, revised, re-designated, and otherwise amended
USIA's authorities. Among other things, the USIA Waiver Review Branch
of the Office of the General Counsel was moved into the Department of
State's Visa Office. The USIA Waiver Review Branch became the Waiver
Review Division of the Office of Legislation, Regulations, and Advisory
Assistance, Visa Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs, CA/VO/L/W. It
maintains its previous responsibilities for reviewing applications by
J-1 exchange visitors who are seeking waivers of the two-year foreign
residence requirement set forth at Section 212(e) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (INA). The Division makes recommendations to the
Department of Homeland Security concerning such waivers.
Do these administrative changes really need changes in the authorities?
The Department of State inherited a multitude of functions as a
result of the October 1, 1999 consolidation of USIA into the Department
of State. The pertinent regulations to the waiver function contain
errors as well as out-of-date references, so this regulation corrects
these items. Also, Public Law 108-441, signed into law on December 3,
2004, amended section 214(l) of the Immigration and Nationality Act,
which makes certain changes regarding foreign medical graduates who
obtain J-1 status in order to receive graduate medical education or
training.
What specific errors does this regulation address?
Our regulation updates the required J-visa application form
(Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status), IAP-66,
to reflect the current Department-approved designation, DS-2019. The
term ``Secretary of State'' replaces the term ``Director of USIA''. The
Department of Homeland Security replaces the Immigration and
Naturalization Service. The medical schools have been clearly
identified as ``foreign'' medical schools. The Waiver Review Board,
which is occasionally and incorrectly referred to as the ``division''
rather than the ``board'', is also herein corrected. Finally,
references to USIA's authorities previously located at 22 CFR part 514
have been corrected to reflect their relocation at 22 CFR 41.62 and
41.63. The regulation also simplifies language identifying the
jurisdictional DHS office to which the waiver recommendation is sent.
The language is flexible permitting DHS to designate different offices
without the need for the Department to modify these regulations.
Why is the Department making the review of persecution cases with the
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) permissive rather
than mandatory?
Section 212 (e) of the Act grants the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS), exclusive authority to determine the existence of
prospective persecution in these cases. Thus, the Visa Office honors
the holding of DHS in these cases and perceives no need to submit all
cases for further review. We have found that the results are
sufficiently consistent with DHS findings to render this action
superfluous. Furthermore, the Waiver Review Division will only submit a
case for an opinion if it believes that circumstances may have
meaningfully changed since the DHS finding of persecution.
Why is the Waiver Review Board being reconstituted?
The Waiver Review Board provided USIA with an excellent means of
deciding cases that have compelling competing interests. The Visa
Office found the Board to be a useful tool for representing differing
interests and for reaching a consensus on difficult cases. This
regulation proposes to realign the representation of the Board by
apportioning Board membership between policy formulators in the Bureau
of Consular Affairs and principals administering the exchange visitor
program interests in the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. The
rule proposes to designate the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Consular Affairs as the chair.
Why is the Department not clearly identifying the number of cases that
can be approved annually under the Conrad program?
The old regulation indicates that 20 exchange visitor physicians
could qualify for this program per state annually. But the law was
amended to increase that number to 30. Further modifications to the
numerical limitation on Conrad program beneficiaries are a distinct
possibility; consequently, to avoid periodic amendment of the
regulation, the language is being modified to refer non-specifically to
the annual limitation.
Regulatory Findings
Administrative Procedure Act
This regulation involves a foreign affairs function of the United
States and, therefore, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1), is not
subject to the rule making procedures set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553.
[[Page 10061]]
Regulatory Flexibility Act/Executive Order 13272
Small Business. This rule is not subject to the notice-and-comment
rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act or any other
act, and, accordingly it does not require analysis under the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.) and Executive Order 13272,
section 3(b).
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UFMA),
Public Law 104-4, 109 Stat. 48, 2 U.S.C. 1532, generally requires
agencies to prepare a statement before proposing any rule that may
result in an annual expenditure of $100 million or more by State,
local, or tribal governments, or by the private sector. This rule will
not result in any such expenditure, nor will it significantly or
uniquely affect small governments.
The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
This rule is not a major rule as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804, for
purposes of congressional review of agency rulemaking under the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104-
121. This rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of
$100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or adverse
effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity,
innovation, or the ability of United States-based companies to compete
with foreign based companies in domestic and import markets.
Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Review
The Department of State has reviewed this rule to ensure its
consistency with the regulatory philosophy and principles set forth in
Executive Order 12866 and has determined that the benefits of the
proposed regulation justify its costs. The Department does not consider
the rule to be an economically significant action within the scope of
section 3(f)(1) of the Executive Order since it is not likely to have
an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or to adversely
affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy,
competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state,
local, or tribal governments or communities.
Executive Orders 12372 and 13132: Federalism
This regulation will not have substantial direct effects on the
States, on the relationship between the national government and the
States, or the distribution of power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government. Nor will the rule have federalism
implications warranting the application of Executive Orders No. 12372
and No. 13132.
Executive Order 12988: Civil Justice Reform
The Department has reviewed the proposed regulations in light of
sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order No. 12988 to eliminate
ambiguity, minimize litigation, establish clear legal standards, and
reduce burden.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule does not impose information collection requirements under
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 35.
List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 41
Aliens, Foreign officials, Immigration, Nonimmigrants, Passports
and Visas, Students.
0
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department of State amends
22 CFR Part 41 to read as follows:
PART 41--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 41 continues to read:
Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1104; Pub. L. 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681-795
through 2681-801. Additional authority is derived from Section 104
of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
of 1996 (IIRIRA) Pub. L. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3546.
0
2. Section 41.62 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(1), (c)(1)(i),
(c)(1)(ii), and (c)(3) to read as follows:
Sec. 41.62 Exchange visitors.
(a) * * *
(1) Has been accepted to participate, and intends to participate,
in an exchange visitor program designated by the Bureau of Education
and Cultural Affairs, Department of State, as evidenced by the
presentation of a properly executed Form DS-2019, Certificate of
Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status;
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) The alien's participation in one or more exchange programs was
wholly or partially financed, directly or indirectly, by the U.S.
Government or by the government of the alien's last legal permanent
residence; or
(ii) At the time of the issuance of an exchange visitor visa and
admission to the United States, or, if not required to obtain a
nonimmigrant visa, at the time of admission as an exchange visitor, or
at the time of acquisition of such status after admission, the alien is
a national and resident or, if not a national, a legal permanent
resident (or has status equivalent thereto) of a country which the
Secretary of State has designated, through publication by public notice
in the Federal Register, as clearly requiring the services of persons
engaged in the field of specialized knowledge or skill in which the
alien will engage during the exchange visitor program; or
* * * * *
(3) The country in which 2 years' residence and physical presence
will satisfy the requirements of INA 212(e) in the case of an alien
determined to be subject to such requirements is the country of which
the alien is a national and resident, or, if not a national, a legal
permanent resident (or has status equivalent thereto).
* * * * *
0
3. Section 41.63 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(1)(ii), (a)(2),
(a)(3), (b)(1), (b)(2), (c)(1), (c)(3), (c)(4) introductory text,
(c)(5), (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(1), (e)(2), (e)(3)(i), (e)(3)(ii),
(e)(3)(iii), (e)(3)(iv), (e)(3)(v), (e)(3)(viii), (e)(4), (f) and (g)
to read as follows:
Sec. 41.63 Two-year home-country physical presence requirement.
(a) * * *
(1) * * *
* * * * *
(ii) Who at the time of admission or acquisition of status under
101(a)(15)(J) was a national or legal permanent resident of a country
which the Secretary of State, pursuant to regulations prescribed by
him, had designated as clearly requiring the services of persons
engaged in the field of specialized knowledge or skill in which the
alien was engaged [See the most recent ``Revised Exchange Visitor
Skills List'', at https://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges/
participation/skills_list.pdf]; or
* * * * *
(2) Upon the favorable recommendation of the Secretary of State,
pursuant to the request of an interested United States Government
agency (or in the case of an alien who is a graduate of a foreign
medical school pursuing a program in graduate medical education or
training, pursuant to the request of a State Department of Public
Health, or its equivalent), or of the Secretary of Homeland Security
after the latter has determined that departure from the United States
would impose
[[Page 10062]]
exceptional hardship upon the alien's spouse or child (if such spouse
or child is a citizen of the United States or a legal permanent
resident alien), or that the alien cannot return to the country of his
nationality or last legal permanent residence because he would be
subject to persecution on account of race, religion, or political
opinion, the Secretary of Homeland Security may waive the requirement
of such two-year foreign residence abroad in the case of any alien
whose admission to the United States is found by the Secretary of
Homeland Security to be in the public interest except that in the case
of a waiver requested by a State Department of Public Health, or its
equivalent, the waiver shall be subject to the requirements of section
214(l) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184).
(3) Except in the case of an alien who is a graduate of a foreign
medical school pursuing a program in graduate medical education or
training, the Secretary of Homeland Security, upon the favorable
recommendation of the Secretary of State, may also waive such two-year
foreign residence requirement in any case in which the foreign country
of the alien's nationality or last legal permanent residence has
furnished the Secretary of State a statement in writing that it has no
objection to such waiver in the case of such alien. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, an alien who is a graduate of a foreign medical school
pursuing a program in graduate medical education or training may obtain
a waiver of such two-year foreign residence requirements if said alien
meets the requirements of section 214(l) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184) and paragraphs (a) (2) and (e) of this
section.
(b) * * *
(1) An exchange visitor who seeks a waiver of the two-year home-
country residence and physical presence requirement on the grounds that
such requirement would impose exceptional hardship upon the exchange
visitor's spouse or child (if such spouse or child is a citizen of the
United States or a legal permanent resident alien), or on the grounds
that such requirement would subject the exchange visitor to persecution
on account of race, religion, or political opinion, shall submit the
application for waiver (DHS Form I-612) to the jurisdictional office of
the Department of Homeland Security.
(2)(i) If the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary of DHS)
determines that compliance with the two-year home-country residence and
physical presence requirement would impose exceptional hardship upon
the spouse or child of the exchange visitor, or would subject the
exchange visitor to persecution on account of race, religion, or
political opinion, the Secretary of DHS shall transmit a copy of his
determination together with a summary of the details of the expected
hardship or persecution, to the Waiver Review Division, in the
Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs.
(ii) With respect to those cases in which the Secretary of DHS has
determined that compliance with the two-year home-country residence and
physical presence requirement would impose exceptional hardship upon
the spouse or child of the exchange visitor, the Waiver Review Division
shall review the program, policy, and foreign relations aspects of the
case, make a recommendation, and forward it to the appropriate office
at DHS. If it deems it appropriate, the Waiver Review Division may
request the views of each of the exchange visitors' sponsors concerning
the waiver application. Except as set forth in paragraph (g)(4) of this
section, the recommendation of the Waiver Review Division shall
constitute the recommendation of the Department of State.
(iii) With respect to those cases in which the Secretary of DHS has
determined that compliance with the two-year home-country residence and
physical presence requirement would subject the exchange visitor to
persecution on account of race, religion, or political opinion, the
Waiver Review Division shall review the program, policy, and foreign
relations aspects of the case, including consultation if deemed
appropriate with the Bureau of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs of
the United States Department of State, make a recommendation, and
forward such recommendation to the Secretary of DHS. Except as set
forth in paragraph (g)(4) of this section, the recommendation of the
Waiver Review Division shall constitute the recommendation of the
Department of State and such recommendation shall be forwarded to DHS.
(c) * * *
(1) A United States Government agency may request a waiver of the
two-year home-country residence and physical presence requirement on
behalf of an exchange visitor if such exchange visitor is actively and
substantially involved in a program or activity sponsored by or of
interest to such agency.
* * * * *
(3) A request by a United States Government agency shall be signed
by the head of the agency, or his or her designee, and shall include
copies of all IAP 66 or DS-2019 forms issued to the exchange visitor,
his or her current address, and his or her country of nationality or
last legal permanent residence.
(4) A request by a United States Government agency, excepting the
Department of Veterans Affairs, on behalf of an exchange visitor who is
a foreign medical graduate who entered the United States to pursue
graduate medical education or training, and who is willing to provide
primary care or specialty medicine in a designated primary care Health
Professional shortage Area, or a Medically Underserved Area, or
psychiatric care in a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area, shall,
in additional to the requirement set forth in paragraphs (c)(2) and (3)
of this section, include:
* * * * *
(5) Except as set forth in paragraph (g)(4) of this section, the
recommendation of the Waiver Review Division shall constitute the
recommendation of the Department of State and such recommendation shall
be forwarded to the Secretary of DHS.
(d) * * *
(1) Applications for waiver of the two-year home-country residence
and physical presence requirement may be supported by a statement of no
objection by the exchange visitor's country of nationality or last
legal permanent residence. The statement of no objection shall be
directed to the Secretary of State through diplomatic channels; i.e.,
from the country's Foreign Office to the Department of State through
the U.S. Mission in the foreign country concerned, or through the
foreign country's head of mission or duly appointed designee in the
United States to the Secretary of State in the form of a diplomatic
note. This note shall include applicant's full name, date and place of
birth, and present address. If deemed appropriate, the Department of
State may request the views of each of the exchange visitor's sponsors
concerning the waiver application.
(2) The Waiver Review Division shall review the program, policy,
and foreign relations aspects of the case and forward its
recommendation to the Secretary of DHS. Except as set forth in Sec.
41.63(g)(4), infra, the recommendation of the Waiver Review Division
shall constitute the recommendation of the Department of State.
(3) An exchange visitor who is a graduate of a foreign medical
school and who is pursuing a program in graduate medical education or
training in the United States is prohibited under
[[Page 10063]]
section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act from applying for
a waiver solely on the basis of no objection from his or her country of
nationality or last legal permanent residence. However, an alien who is
a graduate of a foreign medical school pursuing a program in graduate
medical education or training may obtain a waiver of such two-year
foreign residence requirements if said alien meets the requirements of
section 214(l) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184)
and paragraphs (a)(2) and (e) of this section.
(e) * * *
(1) Pursuant to Public Law 103-416, in the case of an alien who is
a graduate of a medical school pursuing a program in graduate medical
education or training, a request for a waiver of the two-year home-
country residence and physical presence requirement may be made by a
State department of Public Health, or its equivalent. Such waiver shall
be subject to the requirements of section 214(l) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1194(l)) and this Sec. 41.63.
(2) With respect to such waiver under Public Law 104-416, if such
alien is contractually obligated to return to his or her home country
upon completion of the graduate medical education or training, the
Secretary of State is to be furnished with a statement in writing that
the country to which such alien is required to return has no objection
to such waiver. The no objection statement shall be furnished to the
Secretary of State in the manner and form set forth in paragraph (d) of
this section and, additionally, shall bear a notation that it is being
furnished pursuant to Public Law 103-416.
(3) * * *
(i) A completed DS-3035. Copies of these forms may be obtained from
the Visa Office or online at https://www.travel.state.gov.
(ii) A letter from the Director of the designated State Department
of Public Health, or its equivalent, which identifies the foreign
medical graduate by name, country of nationality or country of last
legal permanent residence, and date of birth, and states that it is in
the public interest that a waiver of the two-year home residence
requirement be granted;
(iii) An employment contract between the foreign medical graduate
and the health care facility named in the waiver application, to
include the name and address of the health care facility, and the
specific geographical area or areas in which the foreign medical
graduate will practice medicine. The employment contract shall include
a statement by the foreign medical graduate that he or she agrees to
meet the requirements set forth in section 214(l) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act. The term of the employment contract shall be at
least three years and the geographical areas of employment shall only
be in areas, within the respective state, designated by the Secretary
of Health and Human Services as having a shortage of health care
professionals, unless the waiver request is for an alien who will
practice medicine in a facility that serves patients who reside in one
or more geographic areas so designated by the Secretary of Health and
Human Services without regard to whether such facility is located
within such a designated geographic area. For the latter situation,
which will be referred to as ``non-designated requests'', the contract
should also state that the term of the employment contract shall be at
least three years and employment shall only be in a facility that
serves patients who reside in one or more geographic areas so designed
by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as having a shortage of
health care professionals.
(iv) Evidence establishing that the geographic area or areas in the
state in which the foreign medical graduate will practice medicine or
where patients who will be served by the foreign medical graduates
reside, are areas which have been designated by the Secretary of Health
and Human Services as having a shortage of health care professionals.
For purposes of this paragraph, the geographic area or areas must be
designated by the Department of Health and Human Services as a Health
Professional Shortage Area (``HPSA'') or as a Medically Underserved
Area/Medically Underserved Population (``MUA/MUP'').
(v) Copies of all forms IAP 66 or DS-2019 issued to the foreign
medical graduate seeking the waiver;
* * * * *
(viii) Because of the numerical limitations on the approval of
waivers under Public Law 103-416, i.e., no more than the maximum number
of waivers for each State each fiscal year as mandated by law, each
application from a State Department of Public Health, or its
equivalent, shall be numbered sequentially, beginning on October 1 of
each year. The ``non-designated'' requests will also be numbered
sequentially with appropriate identifier.
(4) The Waiver Review Division shall review the program, policy,
and foreign relations aspects of the case and forward its
recommendation to the Secretary of DHS. Except as set forth in
paragraph (g)(4) of this section, the recommendation of the Waiver
Review Division shall constitute the recommendation of the Department
of State.
(f) Changed Circumstances. An applicant for a waiver on the grounds
of exceptional hardship or probable persecution on account of race,
religion, or political opinion, has a continuing obligation to inform
the Department of Homeland Security of changed circumstances material
to his or her pending application.
(g) The Waiver Review Board.
(1) The Waiver Review Board (``Board'') shall consist of the
following persons or their designees:
(i) The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of
Consular Affairs;
(ii) The Director of Office of Public Affairs for the Bureau of
Consular Affairs;
(iii) The Legislative Management Officer for Consular Affairs,
Bureau of Legislative Affairs;
(iv) The Director of the Office of Exchange Coordination and
Designation in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; and
(v) The Director of the Office of Policy and Evaluation in the
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
(2) A person who has had substantial prior involvement in a
particular case referred to the Board may not be appointed to, or serve
on, the Board for that particular case unless the Bureau of Consular
Affairs determines that the individual's inclusion on the Board is
otherwise necessary or practicably unavoidable.
(3) The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Consular Affairs,
or his or her designee, shall serve as Board Chairman. No designee
under this paragraph (g)(3) shall serve for more than 2 years.
(4) Cases will be referred to the Board at the discretion of the
Chief, Waiver Review Division, of the Visa Office. The Chief, Waiver
Review Division, or his or her designee may, at the Chairman's
discretion, appear and present facts related to the case but shall not
participate in Board deliberations.
(5) The Chairman of the Board shall be responsible for convening
the Board and distributing all necessary information to its members.
Upon being convened, the Board shall review the case file and weigh the
request against the program, policy, and foreign relations aspects of
the case.
(6) The Bureau of Consular Affairs shall appoint, on a case-by-case
basis, from among the attorneys in the State Department's Office of
Legal Advisor
[[Page 10064]]
one attorney to serve as legal advisor to the Board.
(7) At the conclusion of its review of the case, the Board shall
make a written recommendation either to grant or to deny the waiver
application. The written recommendation of a majority of the Board
shall constitute the recommendation of the Board. Such recommendation
shall be promptly transmitted by the Chairman to the Chief, Waiver
Review Division.
(8) At the conclusion of its review of the case, the Board shall
make a written recommendation either to grant or to deny the waiver
application. The written recommendation of a majority of the Board
shall constitute the recommendation of the Board. Such recommendation
shall be promptly transmitted by the Chairman to the Chief, Waiver
Review Division.
Dated: February 23, 2007.
Maura Harty,
Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. E7-3871 Filed 3-6-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-06-P