Extension of the Designation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status, 31056-31061 [2015-13094]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 104 (Monday, June 1, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31056-31061]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13094]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

[CIS No. 2559-15; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2013-0006]
RIN 1615-ZB38


Extension of the Designation of Somalia for Temporary Protected 
Status

AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of 
Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Through this Notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 
announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is 
extending the designation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status 
(TPS) for 18 months from September 18, 2015, through March 17, 2017.
    The extension allows currently eligible TPS beneficiaries to retain 
TPS through March 17, 2017, so long as they otherwise continue to meet 
the eligibility requirements for TPS. The Secretary has determined that 
an extension is warranted because the conditions in Somalia that 
prompted the TPS designation continue to be met. There continues to be 
a substantial, but temporary, disruption of living conditions in 
Somalia due to ongoing armed conflict that would pose a serious threat 
to the personal safety of returning Somali nationals, as well as 
extraordinary and temporary conditions in the country that prevent 
Somali nationals from returning to Somalia in safety. The Secretary has 
also determined that permitting eligible Somali nationals to remain 
temporarily in the United States is not contrary to the national 
interest of the United States.
    Through this Notice, DHS also sets forth procedures necessary for 
nationals of Somalia (or aliens having no nationality who last 
habitually resided in Somalia) to re-register for TPS and to apply for 
renewal of their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with U.S. 
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Re-registration is 
limited to persons who have previously registered for TPS under the 
designation of Somalia and whose applications have been granted. 
Certain nationals of Somalia (or aliens having no nationality who last 
habitually resided in Somalia) who have not previously applied for TPS 
may be eligible to apply under the late initial registration 
provisions, if they meet: (1) At least one of the late initial filing 
criteria; and (2) all TPS eligibility criteria (including continuous 
residence in the United States since May 1, 2012, and continuous 
physical presence in the United States since September 18, 2012).
    For individuals who have already been granted TPS under the Somalia 
designation, the 60-day re-registration period runs from June 1, 2015 
through July 31, 2015. USCIS will issue new EADs with a March 17, 2017 
expiration date to eligible Somalia TPS beneficiaries who timely re-
register and apply for EADs under this extension.

DATES: The 18-month extension of the TPS designation of Somalia is 
effective September 18, 2015, and will remain in effect through March 
17, 2017. The 60-day re-registration period runs from June 1, 2015 
through July 31, 2015. (Note: It is important for re-registrants to 
timely re-register during this 60-day re-registration period and not to 
wait until their EADs expire.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: 
     For further information on TPS, including guidance on the 
application process and additional information on eligibility, please 
visit the USCIS TPS Web page at https://www.uscis.gov/tps. You can find 
specific information about this extension of Somalia's TPS designation 
by selecting ``TPS Designated Country: Somalia'' from the menu on the 
left of the TPS Web page.
     You can also contact the TPS Operations Program Manager at 
the Family and Status Branch, Service Center Operations Directorate, 
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland 
Security, 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW.,

[[Page 31057]]

Washington, DC 20529-2060; or by phone at (202) 272-1533 (this is not a 
toll-free number). Note: The phone number provided here is solely for 
questions regarding this TPS Notice. It is not for individual case 
status inquires.
     Applicants seeking information about the status of their 
individual cases can check Case Status Online, available at the USCIS 
Web site at https://www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS National Customer 
Service Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). Service is available 
in English and Spanish.
     Further information will also be available at local USCIS 
offices upon publication of this Notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Abbreviations

BIA--Board of Immigration Appeals
DHS--Department of Homeland Security
DOS--Department of State
EAD--Employment Authorization Document
FNC--Final Nonconfirmation
Government--U.S. Government
IDP--Internally Displaced Person
IJ--Immigration Judge
INA--Immigration and Nationality Act
OSC--U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Special Counsel for 
Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices
SAVE--USCIS Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program
Secretary--Secretary of Homeland Security
TNC--Tentative Nonconfirmation
TPS--Temporary Protected Status
TTY--Text Telephone
UNHCR--Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
USAID--U.S. Agency for International Development
USCIS--U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

     TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible 
nationals of a country designated for TPS under the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (INA), or to eligible persons without nationality who 
last habitually resided in the designated country.
     During the TPS designation period, TPS beneficiaries are 
eligible to remain in the United States, may not be removed, and are 
authorized to work and obtain EADs, so long as they continue to meet 
the requirements of TPS.
     TPS beneficiaries may also be granted travel authorization 
as a matter of discretion.
     The granting of TPS does not result in or lead to 
permanent resident status.
     When the Secretary terminates a country's TPS designation, 
beneficiaries return to the same immigration status they maintained 
before TPS, if any (unless that status has since expired or been 
terminated), or to any other lawfully obtained immigration status they 
received while registered for TPS.

When was Somalia designated for TPS?

    On September 16, 1991, the Attorney General designated Somalia for 
TPS based on extraordinary and temporary conditions. See 56 FR 46804 
(Sept. 16, 1991). The initial designation was extended nine times based 
on determinations that the conditions warranting the designation 
continued to be met. On September 4, 2001, the Attorney General 
extended Somalia's TPS designation for a tenth time and redesignated 
Somalia for TPS. See 66 FR 46288 (Sept. 4, 2001). Under the 2001 
redesignation, the Attorney General revised the date from which 
applicants had to show they had been ``continuously residing'' in and 
``continuously physically present'' in the United States to September 
4, 2001. Somalia's TPS designation was subsequently extended nine 
additional times, including on May 1, 2012, when the Secretary both 
extended and redesignated Somalia for TPS and added ongoing armed 
conflict as an additional basis for Somalia's TPS designation. Under 
the 2012 redesignation, the Secretary revised the ``continuous 
residence'' date to May 1, 2012, and the ``continuous physical 
presence'' date to September 18, 2012. See 77 FR 25723 (May 1, 2012). 
This announcement is the second extension of the TPS designation for 
Somalia since the 2012 extension and redesignation.

What authority does the Secretary of Homeland Security have to extend 
the designation of Somalia for TPS?

    Section 244(b)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1), authorizes the 
Secretary, after consultation with appropriate agencies of the U.S. 
Government, to designate a foreign state (or part thereof) for TPS if 
the Secretary finds that certain country conditions exist.\1\ The 
Secretary may then grant TPS to eligible nationals of that foreign 
state (or eligible aliens having no nationality who last habitually 
resided in that state). See INA section 244(a)(1)(A), 8 U.S.C. 
1254a(a)(1)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ As of March 1, 2003, in accordance with section 1517 of 
title XV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Public Law 107-296, 
116 Stat. 2135, any reference to the Attorney General in a provision 
of the INA describing functions transferred from the Department of 
Justice to DHS ``shall be deemed to refer to the Secretary'' of 
Homeland Security. See 6 U.S.C. 557 (codifying section 1517 of the 
Homeland Security Act of 2002).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At least 60 days before the expiration of a country's TPS 
designation or extension, the Secretary, after consultation with 
appropriate Government agencies, must review the conditions in a 
foreign state designated for TPS to determine whether the conditions 
for the TPS designation continue to be met. See INA section 
244(b)(3)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). If the Secretary determines that 
a foreign state continues to meet the conditions for TPS designation, 
the designation may be extended for an additional period of 6, 12, or 
18 months. See INA section 244(b)(3)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(C). If 
the Secretary determines that the foreign state no longer meets the 
conditions for TPS designation, the Secretary must terminate the 
designation. See INA section 244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B).

Why is the Secretary extending the TPS designation for Somalia through 
March 17, 2017?

    Over the past year, DHS and the Department of State (DOS) have 
continued to review conditions in Somalia. Based on this review and 
after consulting with DOS, the Secretary has determined that an 18-
month extension is warranted because the conditions that led to the 
2012 redesignation of Somalia for TPS--(1) ongoing armed conflict and 
(2) extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent Somali 
nationals from returning to Somalia in safety--continue to exist, and 
that permitting eligible Somali nationals to remain temporarily in the 
United States is not contrary to the national interest of the United 
States.
    Since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's inauguration in September 
2012, the Federal Government of Somalia has made some progress in 
establishing government institutions, negotiating federal relationships 
with regional authorities, and attracting financial support from the 
international community. In spite of these political gains, instability 
and conflict persist throughout Somalia. A sustained military campaign 
against al-Shabaab in 2014 resulted in large numbers of civilian deaths 
and population displacement. Targeted attacks by al-Shabaab using 
suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices also resulted in 
significant civilian casualties. In October 2014, troops from the 
African Union Mission in Somalia, in coordination with the Somali 
National Army, successfully completed an offensive to liberate parts of 
south-central Somalia from al-Shabaab's control and to consolidate and 
expand the Somali government's security gains. Despite the offensive's 
success, al-

[[Page 31058]]

Shabaab maintains a stronghold in some rural areas of south central 
Somalia that surround urban centers, and continues to attack critical 
targets in Somalia and the region.
    Even in government-controlled areas, al-Shabaab has demonstrated 
the capability to carry out attacks, with particular emphasis on 
targeting government facilities, the facilities and movements of 
foreign delegations, commercial establishments frequented by government 
officials, foreign nationals, the development and humanitarian 
community and the Somali diaspora. Al-Shabaab-planned and/or conducted 
assassinations, suicide bombings, and indiscriminate armed attacks in 
civilian populated areas were frequent in Somalia over the reporting 
period. Insecurity further persists as a result of inter-clan and 
inter-factional fighting, which flares up with little or no warning. 
The World Health Organization reported in June 2014 that violence and 
conflict continue to take a heavy toll on civilians in Somalia.
    Somalia's ongoing complex emergency continues to shape the 
humanitarian situation within the country. While fragile gains have 
been made since the 2011-2012 famine that resulted in the deaths of an 
estimated 258,000 people, ongoing climatic conditions such as drought 
and flooding, coupled with insecurity, conflict, and an increase in 
food prices continue to result in significant humanitarian need. In 
September 2014, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) 
reported that approximately 3.1 million people, or roughly 29 percent 
of the country's population, are experiencing some level of food 
insecurity, representing a 20 percent increase since January 2014 
Malnutrition rates in Somalia remain among the highest in the world, 
with USAID reporting in September 2014 that an estimated 218,000 
children under the age of 5 are acutely malnourished.
    The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 
(UNHCR) stated in November 2014 that there are over 1.1 million 
internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Somalia. In addition to those 
internally displaced, UNHCR also noted that more than 950,000 Somalis 
have sought refuge in neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa and 
in Yemen. USAID noted that forced evictions, drought, conflict, and 
lack of livelihoods have displaced 130,000 Somalis since January 2014, 
and approximately 369,000 IDPs live in makeshift camps in Mogadishu. 
UNHCR reports that IDPs in Somalia often live in crowded settlements, 
lack adequate protection, and face forced evictions, discrimination, 
and gender-based violence.
    The security situation remains volatile, and the risks associated 
with humanitarian aid work are high due to insecurity as well as direct 
and indirect attacks on humanitarian personnel and assets. According to 
the United Nations, from January to September 2014, there were 40 
violent incidents against aid workers. Armed groups also made several 
attempts to loot relief food and disrupt food distributions. Al-Shabaab 
maintains control over some key supply routes, hampering commercial 
activities and the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
    Many critical services were unavailable to Somalis because of 
insufficient resources and the government's limited capacity to deliver 
essential services and provide basic security. For instance, the health 
sector was unable to provide a functional system of primary or 
secondary health clinics, and the justice sector lacked the capacity to 
effectively administer justice or enforce the law.
    Based upon this review and after consultation with appropriate 
Government agencies, the Secretary finds that:
     The conditions that prompted the May 1, 2012 redesignation 
of Somalia for TPS continue to be met. See INA section 244(b)(1)(A) and 
(C), (b)(3)(A) and (C); 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(A) and (C), (b)(3)(A) and 
(C).
     There continues to be an ongoing armed conflict in Somalia 
and, due to such conflict, requiring the return of Somali nationals 
would pose a serious threat to their safety. See INA section 
244(b)(1)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(A).
     There continue to be extraordinary and temporary 
conditions in Somalia that prevent Somali nationals from returning to 
Somalia in safety. See INA section 244(b)(1)(C), 8 U.S.C. 
1254a(b)(1)(C).
     It is not contrary to the national interest of the United 
States to permit Somalis (and persons who have no nationality who last 
habitually resided in Somalia) who meet the eligibility requirements of 
TPS to remain in the United States temporarily. See INA section 
244(b)(1)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(C).
     The designation of Somalia for TPS should be extended for 
an additional 18-month period from September 18, 2015, through March 
17, 2017. See INA section 244(b)(3)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(C).
     There are approximately 270 current Somalia TPS 
beneficiaries who are expected to file for re-registration under the 
extension.

Notice of Extension of the TPS Designation of Somalia

    By the authority vested in me as Secretary under INA section 244, 8 
U.S.C. 1254a, I have determined, after consultation with the 
appropriate Government agencies, that the conditions that prompted the 
redesignation of Somalia for TPS on May 1, 2012, continue to be met. 
See INA section 244(b)(3)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). On the basis of 
this determination, I am extending the designation of Somalia for TPS 
for 18 months from September 18, 2015 through March 17, 2017. See INA 
section 244(b)(1)(A) and (C), (b)(2); 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(A) and (C), 
(b)(2).

Jeh Charles Johnson,
Secretary.

Required Application Forms and Application Fees To Register or Re-
Register for TPS

    To register or re-register for TPS based on the designation of 
Somalia, an applicant must submit each of the following two 
applications:
    1. Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821).
     If you are filing an application for late initial 
registration, you must pay the fee for the Application for Temporary 
Protected Status (Form I-821). See 8 CFR 244.2(f)(2) and 244.6 and 
information on late initial filing on the USCIS TPS Web page at https://www.uscis.gov/tps.
     If you are filing an application for re-registration, you 
do not need to pay the fee for the Application for Temporary Protected 
Status (Form I-821). See 8 CFR 244.17. and
    2. Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765).
     If you are applying for late initial registration and want 
an EAD, you must pay the fee for the Application for Employment 
Authorization (Form I-765) only if you are age 14 through 65. No fee 
for the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) is 
required if you are under the age of 14 or are 66 and older and 
applying for late initial registration.
     If you are applying for re-registration, you must pay the 
fee for the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) only 
if you want an EAD, regardless of age.
     You do not pay the fee for the Application for Employment 
Authorization (Form I-765) if you are not requesting an EAD, regardless 
of whether you are applying for late initial registration or re-
registration.

[[Page 31059]]

    You must submit both completed application forms together. If you 
are unable to pay for the Application for Employment Authorization 
(Form I-765) and/or biometrics fee, you may apply for a fee waiver by 
completing a Request for Fee Waiver (Form I-912) or submitting a 
personal letter requesting a fee waiver, and by providing satisfactory 
supporting documentation. For more information on the application forms 
and fees for TPS, please visit the USCIS TPS Web page at https://www.uscis.gov/tps. Fees for the Application for Temporary Protected 
Status (Form I-821), the Application for Employment Authorization (Form 
I-765), and biometric services are also described in 8 CFR 
103.7(b)(1)(i).

Biometric Services Fee

    Biometrics (such as fingerprints) are required for all applicants 
14 years of age or older. Those applicants must submit a biometric 
services fee. As previously stated, if you are unable to pay for the 
biometric services fee, you may apply for a fee waiver by completing a 
Request for Fee Waiver (Form I-912) or by submitting a personal letter 
requesting a fee waiver, and providing satisfactory supporting 
documentation. For more information on the biometric services fee, 
please visit the USCIS Web site at https://www.uscis.gov. If necessary, 
you may be required to visit an Application Support Center to have your 
biometrics captured.

Re-Filing a Re-Registration TPS Application After Receiving a Denial of 
a Fee Waiver Request

    USCIS urges all re-registering applicants to file as soon as 
possible within the 60-day re-registration period so that USCIS can 
process the applications and issue EADs promptly. Filing early will 
also allow those applicants who may receive denials of their fee waiver 
requests to have time to re-file their applications before the re-
registration deadline. If, however, an applicant receives a denial of 
his or her fee waiver request and is unable to re-file by the re-
registration deadline, the applicant may still re-file his or her 
application. This situation will be reviewed to determine whether the 
applicant has established good cause for late re-registration. However, 
applicants are urged to refile within 45 days of the date on their 
USCIS fee waiver denial notice, if at all possible. See INA section 
244(c)(3)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(3)(C); 8 CFR 244.17(c). For more 
information on good cause for late re-registration, visit the USCIS TPS 
Web page at https://www.uscis.gov/tps. Note: As previously stated, 
although a re-registering TPS beneficiary age 14 and older must pay the 
biometric services fee (but not the initial TPS application fee) when 
filing a TPS re-registration application, the applicant may decide to 
wait to request an EAD, and therefore not pay the Application for 
Employment Authorization (Form I-765) fee, until after USCIS has 
approved the individual's TPS re-registration, if he or she is 
eligible. If you choose to do this, you would file the Application for 
Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821) with the fee and the 
Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) without the fee 
and without requesting an EAD.

Mailing Information

    Mail your application for TPS to the proper address in Table 1.

                       Table 1--Mailing Addresses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                If. . .                            Mail to. . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are applying through the U.S.        USCIS: Attn: TPS Somalia, P.O.
 Postal Service.                          Box 6943, Chicago, IL 60680-
                                          6943.
You are using a non-U.S. Postal Service  USCIS: Attn: TPS Somalia, 131
 delivery service.                        S. Dearborn, 3rd Floor,
                                          Chicago, IL 60603-5517.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If you were granted TPS by an Immigration Judge (IJ) or the Board 
of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and you wish to request an EAD, or are 
re-registering for the first time following a grant of TPS by an IJ or 
the BIA, please mail your application to the appropriate address in 
Table 1. Upon receiving a Notice of Action (Form I-797) from USCIS, 
please send an email to the appropriate USCIS Service Center handling 
your application providing the receipt number and stating that you 
submitted a re-registration and/or request for an EAD based on an IJ/
BIA grant of TPS. Upon receiving a Notice of Action (Form I-797) from 
USCIS, please send an email to TPSijgrant.vsc@uscis.dhs.gov with the 
receipt number and state that you submitted a re-registration and/or 
request for an EAD based on an IJ/BIA grant of TPS. You can find 
detailed information on what further information you need to email and 
the email addresses on the USCIS TPS Web page at https://www.uscis.gov/tps.

E-Filing

    You cannot electronically file your application when re-registering 
or submitting a late initial registration for Somalia TPS. Please mail 
your application to the mailing address listed in Table 1.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

May I request an interim EAD at my local USCIS office?

    No. USCIS will not issue interim EADs to TPS applicants and re-
registrants at local offices.

Am I eligible to receive an automatic 6-month extension of my current 
EAD through March 17, 2016?

    No. Previously issued EADs will not be automatically extended. You 
must apply for a new EAD during the 60-day re- registration period. 
Failure to file your TPS application during the re-registration period 
without good cause may result in gaps in work authorization. DHS 
strongly encourages you to apply as early as possible within the re-
registration period to avoid a gap in your employment authorization.

When hired, what documentation may I show to my employer as proof of 
employment authorization and identity when completing Employment 
Eligibility Verification (Form I-9)?

    You can find a list of acceptable document choices on the ``Lists 
of Acceptable Documents'' for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form 
I-9). You can find additional detailed information on the USCIS I-9 
Central Web page at https://www.uscis.gov/I-9Central. Employers are 
required to verify the identity and employment authorization of all new 
employees by using Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). 
Within 3 days of hire, an employee must present proof of identity and 
employment authorization to his or her employer.
    You may present any document from List A (reflecting both your 
identity and employment authorization) or one

[[Page 31060]]

document from List B (reflecting identity) together with one document 
from List C (reflecting employment authorization). You may present an 
acceptable receipt for List A, List B, or List C documents as described 
in the Form I-9 Instructions. An EAD is an acceptable document under 
``List A.'' Employers may not reject a document based on a future 
expiration date.

What documentation may I show my employer if I am already employed but 
my current TPS-related EAD is set to expire?

    At the time of expiration, you must present any document from List 
A or any document from List C on Employment Eligibility Verification 
(Form I-9) to re-verify employment authorization, or an acceptable List 
A or List C receipt described in the Form I-9 instructions. Your 
employer is required to re-verify on Employment Eligibility 
Verification (Form I-9) the employment authorization of current 
employees upon the expiration of a TPS-related EAD. Your employer 
should use either section 3 of the Employment Eligibility Verification 
(Form I-9) originally completed for the employee or, if this section 
has already been completed or if the version of Employment Eligibility 
Verification (Form I-9) is no longer valid, complete section 3 of a new 
Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) using the most current 
version. Note that your employer may not specify which List A or List C 
document employees must present, and cannot reject an acceptable 
receipt.
    USCIS anticipates that it will be able to process and issue new 
EADs for existing TPS Somalia beneficiaries before their current EADs 
expire on September 17, 2015. However, re-registering beneficiaries are 
encouraged to file as early as possible within the 60-day re-
registration period to help ensure that they receive their EADs 
promptly.

Can my employer require that I produce any other documentation to prove 
my status, such as proof of my Somali citizenship?

    No. When completing Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9), 
including re-verifying employment authorization, employers must accept 
any documentation that appears on the ``Lists of Acceptable Documents'' 
for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) that reasonably 
appears to be genuine and that relates to you or an acceptable List A, 
List B, or List C receipt. Employers may not request documentation that 
does not appear on the ``Lists of Acceptable Documents.'' Therefore, 
employers may not request proof of Somali citizenship when completing 
Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) for new hires or 
reverifying the employment authorization of current employees. Refer to 
the Note to Employees section of this Notice for important information 
about your rights if your employer rejects lawful documentation, 
requires additional documentation, or otherwise discriminates against 
you based on your citizenship or immigration status, or your national 
origin.

Note to All Employers

    Employers are reminded that the laws requiring proper employment 
eligibility verification and prohibiting unfair immigration-related 
employment practices remain in full force. This Notice does not 
supersede or in any way limit applicable employment verification rules 
and policy guidance, including those rules setting forth reverification 
requirements. For general questions about the employment eligibility 
verification process, employers may call USCIS at 888-464-4218 (TTY 
877-875-6028) or email USCIS at I-9Central@dhs.gov. Calls and emails 
are accepted in English and many other languages. For questions about 
avoiding discrimination during the employment eligibility verification 
process, employers may also call the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil 
Rights Division, Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related 
Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) Employer Hotline at 800-255-8155 (TTY 
800-237-2515), which offers language interpretation in numerous 
languages, or email OSC at osccrt@usdoj.gov.

Note to Employees

    For general questions about the employment eligibility verification 
process, employees may call USCIS at 888-897-7781 (TTY 877-875-6028) or 
email at I-9Central@dhs.gov. Calls are accepted in English and many 
other languages. Employees or applicants may also call the U.S. 
Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Office of Special Counsel 
for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) Worker 
Information Hotline at 800-255-7688 (TTY 800-237-2515) for information 
regarding employment discrimination based upon citizenship status, 
immigration status, or national origin, or for information regarding 
discrimination related to Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-
9) and E-Verify. The OSC Worker Information Hotline provides language 
interpretation in numerous languages.
    To comply with the law, employers must accept any document or 
combination of documents from the Lists of Acceptable Documents if the 
documentation reasonably appears to be genuine and to relate to the 
employee, or an acceptable List A, List B, or List C receipt described 
in the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) Instructions. 
Employers may not require extra or additional documentation beyond what 
is required for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) 
completion. Further, employers participating in E-Verify who receive an 
E-Verify case result of ``Tentative Nonconfirmation'' (TNC) must 
promptly inform employees of the TNC and give such employees an 
opportunity to contest the TNC. A TNC case result means that the 
information entered into E-Verify from Employment Eligibility 
Verification (Form I-9) differs from records available to DHS or the 
Social Security Administration.
    Employers may not terminate, suspend, delay training, withhold pay, 
lower pay or take any adverse action against an employee based on the 
employee's decision to contest a TNC or because the case is still 
pending with E-Verify. A Final Nonconfirmation (FNC) case result is 
received when E-Verify cannot verify an employee's employment 
eligibility. An employer may terminate employment based on a case 
result of FNC. Work-authorized employees who receive an FNC may call 
USCIS for assistance at 888-897-7781 (TTY 877-875-6028). An employee 
that believes he or she was discriminated against by an employer in the 
E-Verify process based on citizenship or immigration status, or based 
on national origin, may contact OSC's Worker Information Hotline at 
800-255-7688 (TTY 800-237-2515). Additional information about proper 
nondiscriminatory Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) and E-
Verify procedures is available on the OSC Web site at https://www.justice.gov/crt/about/osc/ and the USCIS Web site at https://www.dhs.gov/E-verify.

Note Regarding Federal, State, and Local Government Agencies (Such as 
Departments of Motor Vehicles)

    While Federal Government agencies must follow the guidelines laid 
out by the Federal Government, State and local government agencies 
establish their own rules and guidelines when granting certain 
benefits. Each State may have different laws, requirements, and 
determinations about what documents you need to provide to prove 
eligibility for certain benefits. Whether you are applying for a 
Federal, State, or local

[[Page 31061]]

government benefit, you may need to provide the government agency with 
documents that show you are a TPS beneficiary and/or show you are 
authorized to work based on TPS. Examples are:
    (1) Your unexpired EAD;
    (2) A copy of your Application for Temporary Protected Status 
Notice of Action (Form I-797) for this re-registration; and/or
    (3) A copy of your past or current Application for Temporary 
Protected Status Approval Notice (Form I-797), if you received one from 
USCIS.
    Check with the government agency regarding which document(s) the 
agency will accept. You may also provide the agency with a copy of this 
Federal Register Notice.
    Some benefit-granting agencies use the USCIS Systematic Alien 
Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE) to verify the current 
immigration status of applicants for public benefits. If such an agency 
has denied your application based solely or in part on a SAVE response, 
the agency must offer you the opportunity to appeal the decision in 
accordance with the agency's procedures. If the agency has received and 
acted upon or will act upon a SAVE verification and you do not believe 
the response is correct, you may make an InfoPass appointment for an 
in-person interview at a local USCIS office. Detailed information on 
how to make corrections, make an appointment, or submit a written 
request to correct records under the Freedom of Information Act can be 
found at the SAVE Web site at https://www.uscis.gov/save, then by 
choosing ``How to Correct Your Records'' from the menu on the right.
[FR Doc. 2015-13094 Filed 5-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9111-97-P