Naturalization for Certain Persons in the U.S. Armed Forces, 2785-2787 [2010-578]
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2785
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
Vol. 75, No. 11
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains regulatory documents having general
applicability and legal effect, most of which
are keyed to and codified in the Code of
Federal Regulations, which is published under
50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by
the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of
new books are listed in the first FEDERAL
REGISTER issue of each week.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
8 CFR Parts 328 and 329
[CIS No. 2479–09; DHS Docket No. DHS–
2009–0025]
RIN 1615–AB85
Naturalization for Certain Persons in
the U.S. Armed Forces
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with RULES
AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services, DHS.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: This rule amends the
Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) regulations by implementing a
statutory amendment reducing from
three years to one year the length of
time a member of the United States
Armed Forces has to serve to qualify for
naturalization through service in the
Armed Forces. In addition, this rule
amends DHS regulations by
implementing a statutory amendment to
include as eligible for naturalization
individuals who served or are serving as
members of the Selected Reserve of the
Ready Reserve of the U.S. Armed Forces
during specified periods of hostility.
This rule also amends the regulations to
remove the requirement to submit Form
G–325B, Biographic Information, with
Form N–400, Application for
Naturalization, for applicants applying
for naturalization through service in the
U.S. Armed Forces. By eliminating the
Form G–325B requirement, the rule will
reduce the response burden and amount
of time it takes U.S. Armed Forces
members to complete the paperwork
required with a naturalization
application.
DATES: This rule is effective February
18, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kristie Krebs, Office of Field
Operations, U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services, Department of
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14:12 Jan 15, 2010
Jkt 220001
Homeland Security, 111 Massachusetts
Avenue, NW., 2nd Floor, Washington,
DC 20529–2030; telephone number 202–
272–1001. This is not a toll-free number.
Persons with hearing or speech
impairments may access this number
via TTY by calling the Federal
Information Relay Service at 800–877–
8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Prior to November 24, 2003, aliens
who served in the U.S. Armed Forces
during peacetime were eligible for
naturalization after serving honorably
for an aggregate period of three years.
See Immigration & Nationality Act (INA)
sec. 328(a), 8 U.S.C. 1439(a) (2002)
(amended (2003)); 8 CFR 328.2(a).
Additionally, aliens who served in the
U.S. Armed Forces during specific
periods of hostilities were eligible for
naturalization without having served for
any particular length of time so long as
the service was in active-duty status.
See INA sec. 329(a), 8 U.S.C. 1440(a)
(2002) (amended (2003)); 8 CFR
329.2(a).
On November 24, 2003, Congress
amended these requirements in title
XVII of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004
(NDAA), (Pub. L. 108–136, 117 Stat.
1392 (2003)), and made them effective
as if enacted on September 11, 2001.
The NDAA reduced from three years to
one year the period of military service
required to qualify for naturalization
through service in the U.S. Armed
Forces during peacetime. See INA sec.
328(a); 8 U.S.C. 1439(a) (2003); see also
NDAA sec. 1701(c)(2). In addition, the
NDAA extended the benefit of
naturalization not only to individuals
who served honorably in an active duty
status during specified periods of
hostilities, but also to individuals who
have served honorably as members of
the Selected Reserve of the Ready
Reserve of the U.S. Armed Forces
during such periods of hostilities. See
INA sec. 329(a); 8 U.S.C. 1440(a) (2003);
see also NDAA sec. 1702.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) has been applying
these statutory amendments since the
law was enacted on November 24, 2003.
This final rule updates the regulations
to reflect these amendments. In
addition, this rule removes an
unnecessary paperwork requirement in
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the naturalization application process
for applicants with qualifying service in
the U.S. Armed Forces.
II. Discussion
A. One Year or More of Military Service
Current regulations at 8 CFR 328.2(b)
continue to list three or more years of
service in the U.S. Armed Forces as an
eligibility requirement for naturalization
based on service in the U.S. Armed
Forces. This final rule reduces the
required number of years of service to
one or more years in order to conform
the regulations to the applicable
statutory provision at section 328(a) of
the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1439(a), as amended
by the NDAA. See revised 8 CFR
328.2(b).
B. Service in the Selected Reserve of the
Ready Reserve During Periods of
Hostilities
USCIS regulations, 8 CFR 329.2(a),
currently limit eligibility for
naturalization based on service during
specified periods of hostilities to those
who served honorably in an active duty
status in the U.S. Armed Forces. In
conformance with the expansion of
eligibility made by the NDAA (see
section 329(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C.
1440(a)), this final rule extends
eligibility for naturalization to include
those individuals who have served
honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces
either in an active duty status or as a
member of the Selected Reserve of the
Ready Reserve. See revised 8 CFR
329.2(a). In addition, this rule amends
the title of 8 CFR part 329 to include
service in the Selected Reserve of the
Ready Reserve. Currently, the title only
lists active duty service as a basis for
naturalization where service occurred
during specified periods of hostilities.
C. Elimination of Requirement to
Submit Form G–325B
Applicants applying for naturalization
based on service in the U.S. Armed
Forces have been required to submit
Form G–325B, Biographic Information,
along with Form N–400, Application for
Naturalization. See 8 CFR 328.4,
329.4(a). Prior to 2001, USCIS sent
applicants’ completed Forms G–325B to
the Department of Defense (DoD) for
background checks. As part of
improvements to this process, DoD
authorized the USCIS in 2001 to
conduct these background checks.
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2010 / Rules and Regulations
Subsequently, USCIS determined that
the information collected on Form N–
400 (e.g., name, date of birth, Social
Security number) was sufficient to
perform the background checks.
Therefore, USCIS discontinued sending
Forms G–325B to DoD. Moreover,
USCIS notes that it does not use the G–
325B in its adjudication of Forms N–
400, or for any other purpose.
Notwithstanding the discontinued use
of Form G–325B, USCIS regulations
continue to require applicants to submit
the form with their naturalization
applications. See 8 CFR 328.4 and
329.4(a). However, continuing to require
Form G–325B would needlessly
increase applicant response and USCIS
processing times, as USCIS must issue
a Request for Evidence and place the
case on hold if the Form G–325B is not
submitted with the Form N–400.
Because the submission of a Form G–
325B no longer serves a purpose in the
adjudication process, this rule removes
the Form G–325B submission
requirement for applicants applying for
naturalization under section 328 or 329
of the INA. See revised 8 CFR 328.4 and
329.4(a).
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III. Regulatory Requirements
A. Administrative Procedure Act
The Administrative Procedure Act
(APA) provides that an agency may
dispense with notice and comment
rulemaking procedures when an agency
is promulgating an interpretative rule, a
general statement of policy, or a rule of
agency organization, procedure, or
practice. See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A). The
elimination of the requirement to
submit Form G–325B is procedural in
nature and does not alter the substantive
rights of affected naturalization
applicants. Accordingly, DHS finds that
this part of the rule is exempt from the
notice and comment requirements
under the APA at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A).
The APA provides that an agency may
dispense with notice and comment
rulemaking procedures when an agency,
for ‘‘good cause,’’ finds that those
procedures are ‘‘impracticable,
unnecessary, or contrary to the public
interest.’’ See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). This
rule amends DHS regulations to
conform with the changes made by the
NDAA, reducing from three years to one
year the amount of time a member of the
U.S. Armed Forces has to serve to
qualify for naturalization and extending
the benefit of expedited naturalization
to members of the Selected Reserve of
the Ready Reserve. INA sec. 328(a),
329(a); 8 U.S.C. 1439(a), 1440(a). These
requirements were mandated by statute
and DHS has applied these
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14:12 Jan 15, 2010
Jkt 220001
requirements since the law was enacted
in 2003 (effective, with some
exceptions, as if enacted on September
11, 2001). DHS views the act of
promulgating this part of the rule as
both ministerial and non-controversial.
Accordingly, DHS finds that notice and
comment is unnecessary and that this
part of the rule is except from the notice
and comment requirements under the
APA at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B).
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980
(RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601–612, as amended by
the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub.
L. 104–121), requires Federal agencies
to consider the potential impact of
regulations on small businesses, small
governmental jurisdictions, and small
organizations during the development of
their rules. When an agency invokes the
good cause exception under the
Administrative Procedure Act to make
changes effective through an interim
final or final rule, the RFA does not
require an agency to prepare a
regulatory flexibility analysis. DHS has
determined in this final rule that good
cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) to
exempt this rule from the notice and
comment. Therefore, a regulatory
flexibility analysis is not required for
this rule. However, DHS does expect
that this rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities because it
affects only individuals.
C. Executive Order 12866
This rule is not a significant
regulatory action as defined under
Executive Order 12866, section 3(f),
Regulatory Planning and Review. Thus
it has not been reviewed by the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB).
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of
1995
This rule will not result in the
expenditure by state, local and tribal
governments, in the aggregate, or by the
private sector, of $100 million or more
in any one year, and it will not
significantly or uniquely affect small
governments. Therefore, no actions were
deemed necessary under the provisions
of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995.
E. Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
This rule is not a major rule as
defined by section 251 of the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996. See 5 U.S.C. 804.
This rule will not result in an annual
effect on the economy of $100 million
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or more; a major increase in costs or
prices; or significant adverse effects on
competition, employment, investment,
productivity, innovation, or on the
ability of the United States-based
companies to compete with foreignbased companies in domestic and
export markets.
F. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This rule will not have substantial
direct effects on the States, on the
relationship between the National
Government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government. Therefore, in
accordance with section 6 of Executive
Order 13132, it is determined that this
rule does not have sufficient federalism
implications to warrant the preparation
of a federalism summary impact
statement.
G. Executive Order 12988: Civil Justice
Reform
This rule meets the applicable
standards set forth in sections 3(a) and
3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.
H. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA)
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995, Public Law 104–13, 109 Stat.
163 (1995), all Departments are required
to submit to OMB, for review and
approval, any reporting or
recordkeeping requirements inherent in
a rule. This rulemaking does not
propose to impose any new reporting or
recordkeeping requirements under the
PRA.
OMB previously approved the use of
forms G–325, G–325A, G–325B, and G–
325C under the same OMB Control No.
1615–0008. Removing the requirement
to submit Form G–325B will reduce the
number of respondents and annual
burden hours associated with OMB
Control No. 1615–0008. Accordingly,
USCIS will submit the Form OMB 83–
C, Correction Worksheet, to OMB to
reduce the annual number of
respondents and annual burden hours.
List of Subjects
8 CFR Part 328
Citizenship and naturalization,
Military personnel, Armed Forces
personnel, Application requirements,
Residency requirements.
8 CFR Part 329
Citizenship and naturalization,
Military personnel, Armed Forces
personnel, Application requirements.
■ Accordingly, chapter I of Title 8 of the
Code of Federal Regulations is amended
as follows:
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2010 / Rules and Regulations
1. The heading for part 328 is revised
as set forth above.
■ 2. The authority citation for part 328
continues to read as follows:
3. Section 328.2 is amended by
revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
■
*
*
*
*
(b) Has served under paragraph (a) of
this section for a period of 1 or more
years, whether that service is
continuous or discontinuous;
*
*
*
*
*
4. Section 328.4 is amended by
revising the last sentence to read as
follows:
■
Application.
* * * The application must be
accompanied by Form N–426, Request
for Certification of Military or Naval
Service.
PART 329—SPECIAL CLASSES OF
PERSONS WHO MAY BE
NATURALIZED: PERSONS WITH
ACTIVE DUTY OR CERTAIN READY
RESERVE SERVICE IN THE UNITED
STATES ARMED FORCES DURING
SPECIFIED PERIODS OF HOSTILITIES
5. The heading for part 329 is revised
as set forth above.
■
6. The authority citation for part 329
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1103, 1440, 1443; 8
CFR part 2.
7. Section 329.2 is amended by
revising paragraph (a) introductory text
to read as follows:
■
Eligibility.
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*
*
*
*
*
(a) Has served honorably in the
Armed Forces of the United States as a
member of the Selected Reserve of the
Ready Reserve or in an active duty
status in the Armed Forces of the United
States during:
*
*
*
*
*
8. Section 329.4 is amended by
revising the last sentence of paragraph
(a) to read as follows:
■
§ 329.4.
Application and evidence.
(a) Application. * * * The
application must be accompanied by
VerDate Nov<24>2008
14:12 Jan 15, 2010
Examining the AD Docket
BILLING CODE 9111–97–P
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
Eligibility.
*
§ 329.2.
RIN 2120–AA64
[FR Doc. 2010–578 Filed 1–15–10; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1103, 1439, 1443.
§ 328.4
[Docket No. FAA–2010–0009; Directorate
Identifier 2010–NE–01–AD; Amendment 39–
16178; AD 2010–02–08]
Janet Napolitano,
Secretary.
■
§ 328.2
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC
20590–0001.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
Contact Turbomeca S.A., 40220 Tarnos,
France; e-mail: noriadallas@turbomeca.com; telephone 33 05
59 74 40 00, fax 33 05 59 74 45 15, or
go to: https://www.turbomecasupport.com, for a copy of the service
information identified in this AD.
Form N–426, Request for Certification of
Military or Naval Service.
*
*
*
*
*
PART 328—SPECIAL CLASSES OF
PERSONS WHO MAY BE
NATURALIZED: PERSONS WITH 1
YEAR OF SERVICE IN THE UNITED
STATES ARMED FORCES
Jkt 220001
2787
Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca
Turmo IV A and IV C Turboshaft
Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for
comments.
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This AD results
from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI)
issued by an aviation authority of
another country to identify and correct
an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
During a maintenance inspection before
the first flight of the day, an oil leak was
found on an engine deck. A circumferential
crack on the intermediate bearing return
flexible pipe union (pipe part number 9 560
17 606 0) was identified as the origin of the
leak. A similar oil pipe union crack was then
reported at the same location on another
engine, on the same pipe part number. This
pipe part number was approved as
Modification TU 233 in 2008.
Although such cracks have been detected
and did not lead to an in-service event, the
possibility exists that some additional cracks
could occur and may not be detected before
the potential complete rupture of the union.
We are issuing this AD to prevent a
helicopter engine in-flight shutdown
resulting in an emergency auto-rotation
landing or accident.
DATES: This AD becomes effective
February 3, 2010.
We must receive comments on this
AD by February 18, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
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You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the
Docket Operations office between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations office (telephone
(800) 647–5527) is the same as the Mail
address provided in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kevin Dickert, Aerospace Engineer,
Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine
& Propeller Directorate, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
e-mail: kevin.dickert@faa.gov; telephone
(781) 238–7117; fax (781) 238–7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2009–0261–E,
dated December 18, 2009 (referred to
after this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an
unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
During a maintenance inspection before
the first flight of the day, an oil leak was
found on an engine deck. A circumferential
crack on the intermediate bearing return
flexible pipe union (pipe part number 9 560
17 606 0) was identified as the origin of the
leak. A similar oil pipe union crack was then
reported at the same location on another
engine, on the same pipe part number. This
pipe part number was approved as
Modification TU 233 in 2008.
Although such cracks have been detected
and did not lead to an in-service event, the
possibility exists that some additional cracks
could occur and may not be detected before
the potential complete rupture of the union.
E:\FR\FM\19JAR1.SGM
19JAR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 19, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2785-2787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-578]
========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each
week.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 11 / Tuesday, January 19, 2010 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 2785]]
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
8 CFR Parts 328 and 329
[CIS No. 2479-09; DHS Docket No. DHS-2009-0025]
RIN 1615-AB85
Naturalization for Certain Persons in the U.S. Armed Forces
AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This rule amends the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
regulations by implementing a statutory amendment reducing from three
years to one year the length of time a member of the United States
Armed Forces has to serve to qualify for naturalization through service
in the Armed Forces. In addition, this rule amends DHS regulations by
implementing a statutory amendment to include as eligible for
naturalization individuals who served or are serving as members of the
Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve of the U.S. Armed Forces during
specified periods of hostility. This rule also amends the regulations
to remove the requirement to submit Form G-325B, Biographic
Information, with Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, for
applicants applying for naturalization through service in the U.S.
Armed Forces. By eliminating the Form G-325B requirement, the rule will
reduce the response burden and amount of time it takes U.S. Armed
Forces members to complete the paperwork required with a naturalization
application.
DATES: This rule is effective February 18, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristie Krebs, Office of Field
Operations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of
Homeland Security, 111 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., 2nd Floor,
Washington, DC 20529-2030; telephone number 202-272-1001. This is not a
toll-free number. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access
this number via TTY by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at
800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Prior to November 24, 2003, aliens who served in the U.S. Armed
Forces during peacetime were eligible for naturalization after serving
honorably for an aggregate period of three years. See Immigration &
Nationality Act (INA) sec. 328(a), 8 U.S.C. 1439(a) (2002) (amended
(2003)); 8 CFR 328.2(a). Additionally, aliens who served in the U.S.
Armed Forces during specific periods of hostilities were eligible for
naturalization without having served for any particular length of time
so long as the service was in active-duty status. See INA sec. 329(a),
8 U.S.C. 1440(a) (2002) (amended (2003)); 8 CFR 329.2(a).
On November 24, 2003, Congress amended these requirements in title
XVII of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004
(NDAA), (Pub. L. 108-136, 117 Stat. 1392 (2003)), and made them
effective as if enacted on September 11, 2001. The NDAA reduced from
three years to one year the period of military service required to
qualify for naturalization through service in the U.S. Armed Forces
during peacetime. See INA sec. 328(a); 8 U.S.C. 1439(a) (2003); see
also NDAA sec. 1701(c)(2). In addition, the NDAA extended the benefit
of naturalization not only to individuals who served honorably in an
active duty status during specified periods of hostilities, but also to
individuals who have served honorably as members of the Selected
Reserve of the Ready Reserve of the U.S. Armed Forces during such
periods of hostilities. See INA sec. 329(a); 8 U.S.C. 1440(a) (2003);
see also NDAA sec. 1702.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has been applying
these statutory amendments since the law was enacted on November 24,
2003. This final rule updates the regulations to reflect these
amendments. In addition, this rule removes an unnecessary paperwork
requirement in the naturalization application process for applicants
with qualifying service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
II. Discussion
A. One Year or More of Military Service
Current regulations at 8 CFR 328.2(b) continue to list three or
more years of service in the U.S. Armed Forces as an eligibility
requirement for naturalization based on service in the U.S. Armed
Forces. This final rule reduces the required number of years of service
to one or more years in order to conform the regulations to the
applicable statutory provision at section 328(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C.
1439(a), as amended by the NDAA. See revised 8 CFR 328.2(b).
B. Service in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve During Periods
of Hostilities
USCIS regulations, 8 CFR 329.2(a), currently limit eligibility for
naturalization based on service during specified periods of hostilities
to those who served honorably in an active duty status in the U.S.
Armed Forces. In conformance with the expansion of eligibility made by
the NDAA (see section 329(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1440(a)), this final
rule extends eligibility for naturalization to include those
individuals who have served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces either
in an active duty status or as a member of the Selected Reserve of the
Ready Reserve. See revised 8 CFR 329.2(a). In addition, this rule
amends the title of 8 CFR part 329 to include service in the Selected
Reserve of the Ready Reserve. Currently, the title only lists active
duty service as a basis for naturalization where service occurred
during specified periods of hostilities.
C. Elimination of Requirement to Submit Form G-325B
Applicants applying for naturalization based on service in the U.S.
Armed Forces have been required to submit Form G-325B, Biographic
Information, along with Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. See
8 CFR 328.4, 329.4(a). Prior to 2001, USCIS sent applicants' completed
Forms G-325B to the Department of Defense (DoD) for background checks.
As part of improvements to this process, DoD authorized the USCIS in
2001 to conduct these background checks.
[[Page 2786]]
Subsequently, USCIS determined that the information collected on Form
N-400 (e.g., name, date of birth, Social Security number) was
sufficient to perform the background checks. Therefore, USCIS
discontinued sending Forms G-325B to DoD. Moreover, USCIS notes that it
does not use the G-325B in its adjudication of Forms N-400, or for any
other purpose.
Notwithstanding the discontinued use of Form G-325B, USCIS
regulations continue to require applicants to submit the form with
their naturalization applications. See 8 CFR 328.4 and 329.4(a).
However, continuing to require Form G-325B would needlessly increase
applicant response and USCIS processing times, as USCIS must issue a
Request for Evidence and place the case on hold if the Form G-325B is
not submitted with the Form N-400. Because the submission of a Form G-
325B no longer serves a purpose in the adjudication process, this rule
removes the Form G-325B submission requirement for applicants applying
for naturalization under section 328 or 329 of the INA. See revised 8
CFR 328.4 and 329.4(a).
III. Regulatory Requirements
A. Administrative Procedure Act
The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) provides that an agency may
dispense with notice and comment rulemaking procedures when an agency
is promulgating an interpretative rule, a general statement of policy,
or a rule of agency organization, procedure, or practice. See 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(A). The elimination of the requirement to submit Form G-325B is
procedural in nature and does not alter the substantive rights of
affected naturalization applicants. Accordingly, DHS finds that this
part of the rule is exempt from the notice and comment requirements
under the APA at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A).
The APA provides that an agency may dispense with notice and
comment rulemaking procedures when an agency, for ``good cause,'' finds
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to
the public interest.'' See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). This rule amends DHS
regulations to conform with the changes made by the NDAA, reducing from
three years to one year the amount of time a member of the U.S. Armed
Forces has to serve to qualify for naturalization and extending the
benefit of expedited naturalization to members of the Selected Reserve
of the Ready Reserve. INA sec. 328(a), 329(a); 8 U.S.C. 1439(a),
1440(a). These requirements were mandated by statute and DHS has
applied these requirements since the law was enacted in 2003
(effective, with some exceptions, as if enacted on September 11, 2001).
DHS views the act of promulgating this part of the rule as both
ministerial and non-controversial. Accordingly, DHS finds that notice
and comment is unnecessary and that this part of the rule is except
from the notice and comment requirements under the APA at 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B).
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as
amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of
1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), requires Federal agencies to consider the
potential impact of regulations on small businesses, small governmental
jurisdictions, and small organizations during the development of their
rules. When an agency invokes the good cause exception under the
Administrative Procedure Act to make changes effective through an
interim final or final rule, the RFA does not require an agency to
prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis. DHS has determined in this
final rule that good cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) to exempt this
rule from the notice and comment. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility
analysis is not required for this rule. However, DHS does expect that
this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities because it affects only individuals.
C. Executive Order 12866
This rule is not a significant regulatory action as defined under
Executive Order 12866, section 3(f), Regulatory Planning and Review.
Thus it has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB).
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
This rule will not result in the expenditure by state, local and
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100
million or more in any one year, and it will not significantly or
uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed
necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of
1995.
E. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
This rule is not a major rule as defined by section 251 of the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. See 5
U.S.C. 804. 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 significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment,
productivity, innovation, or on the ability of the United States-based
companies to compete with foreign-based companies in domestic and
export markets.
F. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This rule will not have substantial direct effects on the States,
on the relationship between the National Government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with section 6 of
Executive Order 13132, it is determined that this rule does not have
sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a
federalism summary impact statement.
G. Executive Order 12988: Civil Justice Reform
This rule meets the applicable standards set forth in sections 3(a)
and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.
H. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA)
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, 109
Stat. 163 (1995), all Departments are required to submit to OMB, for
review and approval, any reporting or recordkeeping requirements
inherent in a rule. This rulemaking does not propose to impose any new
reporting or recordkeeping requirements under the PRA.
OMB previously approved the use of forms G-325, G-325A, G-325B, and
G-325C under the same OMB Control No. 1615-0008. Removing the
requirement to submit Form G-325B will reduce the number of respondents
and annual burden hours associated with OMB Control No. 1615-0008.
Accordingly, USCIS will submit the Form OMB 83-C, Correction Worksheet,
to OMB to reduce the annual number of respondents and annual burden
hours.
List of Subjects
8 CFR Part 328
Citizenship and naturalization, Military personnel, Armed Forces
personnel, Application requirements, Residency requirements.
8 CFR Part 329
Citizenship and naturalization, Military personnel, Armed Forces
personnel, Application requirements.
0
Accordingly, chapter I of Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations is
amended as follows:
[[Page 2787]]
PART 328--SPECIAL CLASSES OF PERSONS WHO MAY BE NATURALIZED:
PERSONS WITH 1 YEAR OF SERVICE IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES
0
1. The heading for part 328 is revised as set forth above.
0
2. The authority citation for part 328 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1103, 1439, 1443.
0
3. Section 328.2 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as
follows:
Sec. 328.2 Eligibility.
* * * * *
(b) Has served under paragraph (a) of this section for a period of
1 or more years, whether that service is continuous or discontinuous;
* * * * *
0
4. Section 328.4 is amended by revising the last sentence to read as
follows:
Sec. 328.4 Application.
* * * The application must be accompanied by Form N-426, Request
for Certification of Military or Naval Service.
PART 329--SPECIAL CLASSES OF PERSONS WHO MAY BE NATURALIZED:
PERSONS WITH ACTIVE DUTY OR CERTAIN READY RESERVE SERVICE IN THE
UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES DURING SPECIFIED PERIODS OF HOSTILITIES
0
5. The heading for part 329 is revised as set forth above.
0
6. The authority citation for part 329 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1103, 1440, 1443; 8 CFR part 2.
0
7. Section 329.2 is amended by revising paragraph (a) introductory text
to read as follows:
Sec. 329.2. Eligibility.
* * * * *
(a) Has served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States
as a member of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve or in an
active duty status in the Armed Forces of the United States during:
* * * * *
0
8. Section 329.4 is amended by revising the last sentence of paragraph
(a) to read as follows:
Sec. 329.4. Application and evidence.
(a) Application. * * * The application must be accompanied by Form
N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service.
* * * * *
Janet Napolitano,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-578 Filed 1-15-10; 8:45 am]
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