Final Agricultural Worker Population Estimates for Basic Field-Agricultural Worker/Migrant Grants, 52461-52464 [2016-18753]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 152 / Monday, August 8, 2016 / Notices remaining real property assets with 90% of the sale proceeds to be paid towards the United States’ unreimbursed Site response costs up to a judgment amount of $477,547.43, and (2) record an environmental covenant protecting the remedy at the Site. The proposed Consent Decree will resolve all CERCLA claims alleged in this action by the United States against Defendant. Defendant has an inability to pay the United States’ full demand. The publication of this notice opens a period for public comment on the proposed Consent Decree. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Environmental Enforcement Section, and should refer to United States v. Silver Reef Properties, LLC, D.J. Ref. No. 90–11–3–10255. All comments must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days after the publication date of this notice. Comments may be submitted either by email or by mail: To submit comments: Send them to: By e-mail ...... pubcomment-ees.enrd@ usdoj.gov. Assistant Attorney General, U.S. DOJ—ENRD, P.O. Box 7611, Washington, D.C. 20044–7611 By mail ......... During the public comment period, the proposed Consent Decree may be examined and downloaded at this Justice Department Web site: https:// www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees. We will provide a paper copy of the proposed Consent Decree upon written request and payment of reproduction costs. Please mail your request and payment to: Consent Decree Library, U.S. DOJ—ENRD, P.O. Box 7611, Washington, DC 20044–7611. Please enclose a check or money order for $15 (25 cents per page reproduction cost) for the proposed Consent Decree payable to the United States Treasury. For a paper copy without the appendices, the cost is $7.50. Jeffrey K. Sands, Assistant Section Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division. [FR Doc. 2016–18712 Filed 8–5–16; 8:45 am] mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES BILLING CODE 4410–15–P LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION Final Agricultural Worker Population Estimates for Basic Field—Agricultural Worker/Migrant Grants AGENCY: Legal Services Corporation. VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:23 Aug 05, 2016 Jkt 238001 ACTION: Notice. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announces implementation of new population estimates of agricultural workers that LSC will use for distribution of funds among grants for providing civil legal services to those workers and their dependents (Agricultural Worker Grants, formerly referred to as Migrant Grants). LSC will phase in application of these updated estimates over two years. For all Agricultural Worker Grant service areas, one half of the transition will occur in 2017 and the full changes will occur in 2018. This action takes into consideration public comments received as a result of three notices for public comment LSC published in the Federal Register. 80 FR 5791 (February 3, 2015); 81 FR 6295 (February 5, 2016); and 81 FR 19245 (April 4, 2016). LSC will also obtain updated population estimates of agricultural workers every three years for recalculation on the same statutory cycle as LSC obtains updated poverty-population data from the U.S. Census Bureau for the distribution of LSC’s Basic Field Programs appropriation. Future changes in Agricultural Worker Grants based on updated population estimates will be implemented in a single year and not phased in, consistent with how LSC implements changes in the distribution of Basic Field grants. This notice summarizes LSC’s development of the final estimates and discusses the revisions LSC made in response to public comment. DATES: Effective September 7, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Freedman, Senior Associate General Counsel, Legal Services Corporation, 3333 K St. NW., Washington, DC 20007; 202–295–1623 (phone); 202–337–6519 (fax); mfreedman@lsc.gov. SUMMARY: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background This notice completes the Legal Services Corporation’s (LSC) process of revising the estimates of LSC-eligible agricultural workers for distribution of funds through Basic Field—Agricultural Worker Grants (Agricultural Worker Grants, formerly referred to as Migrant Grants). LSC provided a detailed background and discussion of the need for updating these estimates in the notice for public comment published in the Federal Register on February 3, 2015. 80 FR 5791. LSC has posted at www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data all notices, comments received, and materials relating to this process. PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52461 Briefly summarized, LSC will revise these population estimates for three reasons. First, the estimates currently used are based on outdated information from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Second, the estimates currently used do not include the entire population of agricultural workers that LSC expects grantees to serve with Agricultural Worker Grants, which includes both migrant and non-migrant agricultural workers (this also explains the change in the name of these grants from Migrant Grants to Agricultural Worker Grants). Third, the current estimates do not take into account the portion of the population that is not eligible for LSCfunded legal services. LSC contracted with the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) to obtain updated estimates of the size and distribution of the population of agricultural workers and their dependents eligible for LSCfunded services. ETA subcontracted with JBS International, Inc. (JBS or ETA contractor) to use Department of Labor and other government data to develop these estimates. In January 2015, ETA provided LSC with JBS’s initial estimates (including state-by-state breakdowns) which ETA determined were technically sound. See Memorandum from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (January 21, 2015) transmitting the JBS memorandum ‘‘Estimating the National Size and State Distribution of the LSC-Eligible Population’’ (January 19, 2015) at www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (February 2015 Notice—Initial Estimates, LSC Management Report Appendices, Appendix A). On February 3, 2015, LSC published a notice in the Federal Register seeking comments on LSC’s proposal to implement the January 2015 methodology and resulting estimates provided by ETA. 80 FR 5791. See ‘‘LSC Management Report—LSC Agricultural Worker Population Estimate Update’’ (January 30, 2015) at www.lsc.gov/agworker-data (February 2015 Notice— Initial Estimates, LSC Management Report). In response to this notice, LSC received eleven comments, which LSC has published at www.lsc.gov/agworker-data. Based on those comments, LSC obtained revised estimates from ETA, which LSC published on its Web site and through the Federal Register for further public comment along with LSC’s response to the first eleven comments on February 5, 2016. 81 FR 6295 and www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (February 2016 Notice—Revised Estimates). In support of the notice, LSC provided a comprehensive table E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM 08AUN1 52462 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 152 / Monday, August 8, 2016 / Notices mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES detailing specific data sources and revised calculations. See ‘‘Table I— Updated Estimates of the Size and Geographic Distribution of The LSCEligible Agricultural Worker Population and the Sources and Calculations Used to Develop Those Estimates’’ (January 20, 2016) at www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (February 2016 Notice—Revised Estimates, Tables I–VII). In response to the second notice LSC received three comments that are discussed in detail below. On April 4, 2016, LSC published on its Web site and in the Federal Register a notice for comment on a proposal from the Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP) to use certain Michigan-specific estimates. 81 FR 19245 and www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (April 2016 Notice—Revisions to the Michigan Estimate). LSC received one comment from MAP itself in response to this notice. MAP’s comment included 2015 administrative data to support its view that LSC should adjust certain assumptions underlying the estimates of dependents eligible for LSC-funded services. LSC asked ETA to review the three comments filed in response to the second notice and MAP’s additional comment to identify which, if any, of the commenters’ recommendations would improve the accuracy of the estimates of the LSC-eligible agricultural worker population and, as appropriate, provide revised estimates of the LSCeligible agricultural worker population. ETA subcontracted with JBS to perform this work. ETA transmitted to LSC the JBS analysis, which ETA found technically sound. See Memorandum from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (July 26, 2016) transmitting the JBS memorandum ‘‘Assessment of Technical Comments Concerning the Methodology for Estimating the Number and Geographic Distribution of Agricultural Workers Who are Eligible for Services Provided by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), for ETA Review’’ (July 6, 2016) at www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (August 2016 Notice—Final Estimates, Appendix A) (hereafter ‘‘July 2016 ETA and JBS Memorandum’’). II. Summary of Comments and Key Changes to LSC’S Estimates In the second notice, 81 FR 6295 (February 5, 2016), LSC identified three areas for additional public comment: (1) ETA’s methodology and data after further analysis of the data was conducted; (2) newly proposed estimates of aliens within the agricultural worker population who are eligible under 45 CFR § 1624.4 for VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:23 Aug 05, 2016 Jkt 238001 services from LSC grantees based on sexual abuse, domestic violence, trafficking, or other abusive or criminal activities; and (3) proposals of available and reliable state- or region-specific data for augmenting the ETA data in individual states. With this notice, LSC published a memorandum explaining LSC’s proposed methodology and estimates of the agricultural worker population eligible under 45 CFR § 1626.4. See ‘‘Estimate of the Population of Agricultural Workers Eligible for LSC Funded Services Pursuant to 45 CFR § 1626.4—AntiAbuse Laws’’ (January 20, 2016) available at www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (February 2016 Notice—Revised Estimates, Appendix A). LSC received one comment from the National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA) Agricultural Worker Project Group. LSC also received comments from two grantees: Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP) and Puerto Rico Legal Services. Both comments are published at www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data. The comments expressed continued support for LSC’s efforts to update the estimates of agricultural workers in the United States who are eligible for LSC services. The comments also supported (with the exception discussed in Section E below) LSC’s proposed methodology and resulting estimates of aliens within the agricultural worker population eligible for services from LSC grantees based on sexual abuse, domestic violence, trafficking, or other abusive or criminal activities under 45 CFR § 1626.4. Generally, the concerns raised by the commenters fell into six categories. As discussed in detail below, LSC has revised its final estimates to incorporate all but two of the changes proposed in the comments. A. Concerns Regarding the ETA Estimates of Eligible Farmworker Dependents NLADA and Michigan Advocacy Program asserted that the ETA estimates of farmworker dependents for LSCfunded services (based on ETA’s ‘‘country of birth’’ method) were too low because they were based on what NLADA and MAP believed were two erroneous assumptions: (1) That foreignborn adult children (18 or older) would be ‘‘authorized’ (that is, meet the eligibility requirements of Part 1626) only if they had at least one parent or spouse born in the U.S., and (2) that spouses and other farmworker relatives in farmworker households would be authorized only if they themselves are U.S.-born. PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Both commenters urged LSC to revise its estimates of dependents eligible for LSC-funded services by directing ETA to change these assumptions and include in the estimate of ‘‘authorized’’ dependents (1) all adult children of farmworkers whom the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) has identified as ‘‘authorized,’’ not just those children born in the U.S., and (2) all spouses of farmworkers whom the NAWS has identified as ‘‘authorized,’’ not just those spouses who are born in the U.S. After reviewing these comments, ETA determined that a revision of the estimation methodology could provide a more accurate estimate of the number of authorized dependents. See ‘‘July 2016 ETA and JBS Memorandum.’’ Table V, which LSC is publishing on its Web site, shows the impact this revision has on the population estimates. See ‘‘Table V—Number of LSC-Eligible Agricultural Worker Dependents by State: Comparison of February 2016 and Final Estimates’’ at www.lsc.gov/ag-workerdata (August 2016 Notice—Final Estimates, Tables I–VI). B. Concerns Regarding the Estimates of the Number of Agricultural Workers With Pending I–130 Petitions; Political Asylum Seekers; Refugees; or Individuals Granted Withholding of Deportation, Exclusion or Removal NLADA expressed concern that LSC’s estimates undercounted the number of agricultural workers or dependents who are authorized because (1) they have pending I–130 petitions and a requisite relationship with a U.S. citizen child, spouse, or parent or (2) are political asylum seekers; refugees; or individuals granted withholding of deportation, exclusion or removal. The comments asserted that the NAWS survey does not adequately capture the relevant data because an interviewer, when asking about an individual’s immigration status, is only required to list specific immigration statuses (such as a pending I–130 petition) if ‘‘necessary.’’ The comments stated that many agricultural workers, in response to survey questions, correctly state that they are ‘‘unauthorized’’ but are not asked a follow-up question whether they have a pending I–130 petition or are in situations that may otherwise qualify them for LSC-funded services under 45 CFR part 1626 (LSC regulation providing categories of aliens eligible for legal assistance under anti-abuse laws and based on immigration status). NLADA requested that LSC develop revised estimates based on data from governmental sources (e.g., U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM 08AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 152 / Monday, August 8, 2016 / Notices mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES the State Department) and other ‘‘reputable studies.’’ NLADA maintained that these data sources ‘‘should make it possible to estimate, at least on a national basis, the number’’ of farmworkers who would be eligible for LSC-funded services because they have pending I–130 petitions. NLADA asserted that ‘‘the same analysis applies to those who are LSC-eligible because they are asylum seekers, refugees and granted withholding of deportation and are LSC-eligible but who might not be identified through the NAWS survey.’’ LSC requested that ETA review these comments. After reviewing these comments, ETA determined that the NAWS would capture necessary information about respondents who might be LSC-eligible because they are political asylum seekers, refugees, or have temporary protective status. Therefore, no adjustment in the estimation formula was needed to improve the accuracy of the estimates of these individuals. ETA acknowledged that some respondents with pending I–130s, however, may not have been correctly identified, as the NAWS questionnaire does not include a question that directly asks if the respondent has a pending I– 130 and, as a result, the methodology in the estimates published on February 5, 2016, could underestimate the number of these individuals who might be LSCeligible. Accordingly, the estimation methodology was revised to improve the accuracy of this estimate. See ‘‘July 2016 ETA and JBS Memorandum.’’ LSC is publishing on its Web site Table IV, which identifies the effects this change has on the population estimates. See ‘‘Table IV—Number of LSC-Eligible Agricultural Workers by State: Comparison of February 2016 and Final Estimates’’ at www.lsc.gov/ag-workerdata (August 2016 Notice—Final Estimates, Tables I–VI). C. Requests To Use the Most Recent Data on the Number of H–2A and H–2B Workers Michigan Advocacy Program and NLADA requested that LSC revise its estimates to reflect more current data regarding the population of H–2A agricultural workers and H–2B forestry workers. The comments urged LSC to incorporate Department of Labor data on the number of H–2A and H–2B positions certified nationwide in FY 2015 because these data demonstrate a substantial increase in the number of H– 2A workers since 2012. The estimates of the number and geographic distribution of agricultural workers eligible for LSC-funded services are based on a variety of 2012 data VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:23 Aug 05, 2016 Jkt 238001 sources. Although there are more recent data for H–2A agricultural workers and H–2B forestry workers, more recent data are not available from the Census of Agriculture, which provided substantial data in the estimation methodology. JBS’s recommendation, which ETA has endorsed, is to use 2012 data for H–2A agricultural workers and H–2B forestry workers for consistency with the 2012 data from the other information sources used in the estimation formula. See ‘‘July 2016 ETA and JBS Memorandum.’’ D. Requests for LSC To Reconsider the Use of Data and Resulting Estimates Reported by the NAWS Twelve-Region Sampling Groups NAWS data are reported for twelveregion sampling strata and six-region analysis groupings; the six region data have lower relative standard errors (RSEs) than the twelve region data. Both NLADA and Michigan Advocacy Program expressed concern with ETA’s use of NAWS twelve-region sampling group data to estimate the state-level populations of agricultural workers, because reliance on NAWS twelveregion data produced less reliable estimates than would six-region data and resulted in characterizations of state farmworker populations in some states, which were inconsistent with the commenters’ first-hand knowledge about the state-level demographics and status of farmworkers and their dependents. To reduce the likelihood of these anomalies, the commenters urged LSC to revise its estimates of LSCeligible agricultural workers by using the NAWS six-region data instead of the NAWS twelve-region data. LSC asked ETA to consider these comments. ETA endorsed JBS’s analysis that the use of the NAWS six-region data would result in more robust estimates because the RSEs of the estimates are lower at the six-region level than they are at twelve-region level. See ‘‘July 2016 ETA and JBS Memorandum.’’ Accordingly, ETA provided and LSC will use revised estimates based on NAWS six-region data. E. Concerns Over the Calculation of the Population Eligible Pursuant to AntiAbuse Provisions of 45 CFR 1626.4 The comments from NLADA and Michigan Advocacy Program stated that LSC’s estimates of the population of people who are eligible pursuant to the anti-abuse provisions of 45 CFR 1626.4 were based on an incorrect poverty level standard. ETA agrees with these comments and has revised the estimates using the correct poverty level standard. PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52463 LSC’s final estimates reflect this correction. Table VI identifies the effects this change has on the population estimates. See ‘‘Table VI—Number of Unauthorized and Below-Poverty Farmworkers Eligible for LSC-Funded Services Pursuant to Anti-Abuse Provisions of 45 CFR 1626.4 by State: Comparison of February 2016 and Final Estimates’’ at www.lsc.gov/ag-workerdata (August 2016 Notice—Final Estimates, Tables I–VI). F. Proposals To Use Alternate Methodologies and Data Sources To Estimate Individual State Agricultural Worker Populations In response to the February 5, 2016 public notice, LSC received one proposal to use alternate methodologies and data sources to estimate agricultural worker populations for individual states: Michigan Advocacy Program proposed alternative methods, data sources and estimates of the agricultural worker population in Michigan. In response to the April 4, 2016 public notice, MAP provided additional information to support its proposed alternative methods and estimates. LSC asked ETA to analyze the methods, data sources and population estimates MAP proposed. ETA endorsed JBS’s assessment that MAP’s proposed methodology and data do not produce estimates that are more accurate than the published estimates because the majority of those data sources ‘‘do not have eligibility guidelines concerning household poverty and alien status that are consistent with the LSC criteria.’’ These agencies were Migrant Health Centers that can provide. See ‘‘July 2016 ETA and JBS Memorandum’’ (JBS’s Response to Recommendation 6). Therefore, LSC declines to adopt the alternate estimates provided by the Michigan Advocacy Program. Some of MAP’s proposals were, in effect, accepted as a result of the changes in the ETA methodology discussed above in sections A and B. Puerto Rico Legal Services also submitted additional data and comments regarding the agricultural worker population in Puerto Rico. In its comment, Puerto Rico Legal Services explained the inherent difficulty in calculating this population. LSC commends Puerto Rico Legal Services for working with local government agencies to seek to obtain actual and realistic data concerning the number of local and migrant workers on the island. However, because these data have not yet been developed, LSC will not revise its estimates of the agricultural worker population in Puerto Rico. E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM 08AUN1 52464 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 152 / Monday, August 8, 2016 / Notices III. Conclusion Table V As discussed herein, LSC will implement these final estimates for Basic Field—Agricultural Worker grants by distributing funding among all of the existing Agricultural Worker grant service areas for 2017 grants at a 50% implementation level (compared with the 2016 distribution) and then for 2018 and successive years at a 100% implementation level. LSC will also obtain updated population estimates of agricultural workers every three years for recalculation on the same statutory cycle as LSC obtains updated povertypopulation data from the U.S. Census Bureau for the distribution of LSC’s Basic Field Programs appropriation. LSC is publishing on its Web site the following revised tables showing the final estimates and their effects on Basic Field-Agricultural Worker grants (presuming for comparison constant total LSC funding for Basic Field Program grants during the relevant grant years). See www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (August 2016 Notice—Final Estimates, Tables I–VI). Descriptions of these tables are included below. Number of LSC-Eligible Agricultural Worker Dependents by State: Comparison of February 2016 and Final Estimates. The data in this table show the differences between the final estimates of the number of agricultural worker dependents and the estimates published in February 2016. Table I Table VI Number of Unauthorized and BelowPoverty Farmworkers Eligible for LSCFunded Services Pursuant to AntiAbuse Provisions of 45 CFR 1626.4 by State: Comparison of February 2016 and Final Estimates. The data in this table show the differences between the final estimates and the estimates published in February 2016 of the number of unauthorized and below-poverty farmworkers eligible for LSC-funded services pursuant to anti-abuse provisions of 45 CFR 1626.4. Dated: August 3, 2016 Mark Freedman, Senior Associate General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2016–18753 Filed 8–5–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7050–01–P Final National and State Estimates of the LSC-Eligible Agricultural Worker Population—Summary Table: This table provides summary information about the major data sources and calculations used to derive the updated estimates. MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION Table II [MCC FR 16–02] LSC-Eligible Agricultural Worker Population by State: Comparison of Current (Fiscal Year 2016) Population Estimates and Final Estimates. The data in this table show the differences between the final estimates of the agricultural worker population and the population estimates on which Fiscal Year 2016 grant allocations were based. Notice of Entering Into a Compact With the Republic of Niger Table III LSC-Eligible Agricultural Worker Population by State: Comparison of February 2016 Estimates and Final Estimates. The data in this table show the differences between the final estimates of the total LSC-eligible agricultural worker population and the estimates published in February 2016. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES Table IV Number of LSC-Eligible Agricultural Workers by State: Comparison of February 2016 and Final Estimates. The data in this table show the differences between the final estimates number of the number LSC-eligible agricultural workers and the estimates published in February 2016. VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:23 Aug 05, 2016 Jkt 238001 Millennium Challenge Corporation. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice. In accordance with Section 610(b)(2) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7701–7718) as amended (the Act), and the heading ‘‘Millennium Challenge Corporation’’ of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2015, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is publishing a summary of the Millennium Challenge Compact between the United States of America, acting through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the Republic of Niger. Representatives of the United States Government and Niger executed the Compact documents on July 29, 2016. The complete text of the Compact has been posted at https:// assets.mcc.gov/documents/nigercompact-signed.pdf. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: August 3, 2016. Sarah Fandell, Vice President and General Counsel, Millennium Challenge Corporation. Summary of Millennium Challenge Compact With the Republic of Niger Overview Niger, one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, has consistently ranked last on the United Nations Human Development Index for the past 25 years. This land-locked West African country is almost twice the size of Texas, and two-thirds of the country’s land mass is the Sahara Desert, making it one of the hottest and driest countries in the world. Niger has made notable improvements over the past few years, but over 40 percent of the population still lives below the global poverty line of $1.25 per day. Despite these challenges, the Nigeriens have demonstrated a strong commitment to governance reforms, economic growth, and investing in their people. The MCC Board of Directors (the ‘‘Board’’) selected Niger as eligible to develop a Millennium Challenge Compact in December 2012. Niger has consistently passed the MCC scorecard after doing so for the first time in 2012. Roughly 80 percent of Niger’s population lives in rural areas and relies on agriculture for its livelihood. Moreover, over 90 percent of the population relies on a single, threemonth, highly capricious rainy season to support agriculture and livestock production. Frequent droughts and floods decimate crops and productive assets, undermining the population’s ability to build its resilience and economic security. In addition, sustainable natural resource management is lacking in this fragile environment, and water and pasture resources are frequently over-utilized, causing severe erosion of once productive areas. Agricultural productivity has stagnated due to a lack of access to critical productive inputs such as improved seed, fertilizer, irrigation, and technical assistance. Water resource management, community-based livestock and climateresilient agriculture systems are critical to ensure adaptability, improve agricultural productivity, and sustain water and land resources in Niger. The Compact will seek to raise rural incomes by increasing agricultural and livestock production by boosting production through increases in areas under cultivation and improvements in yields. Through the Compact, MCC will finance critical access to water for crop and livestock productivity, market E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM 08AUN1

Agencies

LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 152 (Monday, August 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52461-52464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18753]

=======================================================================
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LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

Final Agricultural Worker Population Estimates for Basic Field--
Agricultural Worker/Migrant Grants

AGENCY: Legal Services Corporation.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announces implementation
of new population estimates of agricultural workers that LSC will use
for distribution of funds among grants for providing civil legal
services to those workers and their dependents (Agricultural Worker
Grants, formerly referred to as Migrant Grants). LSC will phase in
application of these updated estimates over two years. For all
Agricultural Worker Grant service areas, one half of the transition
will occur in 2017 and the full changes will occur in 2018. This action
takes into consideration public comments received as a result of three
notices for public comment LSC published in the Federal Register. 80 FR
5791 (February 3, 2015); 81 FR 6295 (February 5, 2016); and 81 FR 19245
(April 4, 2016). LSC will also obtain updated population estimates of
agricultural workers every three years for recalculation on the same
statutory cycle as LSC obtains updated poverty-population data from the
U.S. Census Bureau for the distribution of LSC's Basic Field Programs
appropriation. Future changes in Agricultural Worker Grants based on
updated population estimates will be implemented in a single year and
not phased in, consistent with how LSC implements changes in the
distribution of Basic Field grants. This notice summarizes LSC's
development of the final estimates and discusses the revisions LSC made
in response to public comment.

DATES: Effective September 7, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Freedman, Senior Associate
General Counsel, Legal Services Corporation, 3333 K St. NW.,
Washington, DC 20007; 202-295-1623 (phone); 202-337-6519 (fax);
mfreedman@lsc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

This notice completes the Legal Services Corporation's (LSC)
process of revising the estimates of LSC-eligible agricultural workers
for distribution of funds through Basic Field--Agricultural Worker
Grants (Agricultural Worker Grants, formerly referred to as Migrant
Grants). LSC provided a detailed background and discussion of the need
for updating these estimates in the notice for public comment published
in the Federal Register on February 3, 2015. 80 FR 5791. LSC has posted
at www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data all notices, comments received, and
materials relating to this process.
Briefly summarized, LSC will revise these population estimates for
three reasons. First, the estimates currently used are based on
outdated information from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Second, the
estimates currently used do not include the entire population of
agricultural workers that LSC expects grantees to serve with
Agricultural Worker Grants, which includes both migrant and non-migrant
agricultural workers (this also explains the change in the name of
these grants from Migrant Grants to Agricultural Worker Grants). Third,
the current estimates do not take into account the portion of the
population that is not eligible for LSC-funded legal services.
LSC contracted with the Department of Labor's Employment and
Training Administration (ETA) to obtain updated estimates of the size
and distribution of the population of agricultural workers and their
dependents eligible for LSC-funded services. ETA subcontracted with JBS
International, Inc. (JBS or ETA contractor) to use Department of Labor
and other government data to develop these estimates. In January 2015,
ETA provided LSC with JBS's initial estimates (including state-by-state
breakdowns) which ETA determined were technically sound. See Memorandum
from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training
Administration (January 21, 2015) transmitting the JBS memorandum
``Estimating the National Size and State Distribution of the LSC-
Eligible Population'' (January 19, 2015) at www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data
(February 2015 Notice--Initial Estimates, LSC Management Report
Appendices, Appendix A).
On February 3, 2015, LSC published a notice in the Federal Register
seeking comments on LSC's proposal to implement the January 2015
methodology and resulting estimates provided by ETA. 80 FR 5791. See
``LSC Management Report--LSC Agricultural Worker Population Estimate
Update'' (January 30, 2015) at www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (February
2015 Notice--Initial Estimates, LSC Management Report). In response to
this notice, LSC received eleven comments, which LSC has published at
www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data. Based on those comments, LSC obtained
revised estimates from ETA, which LSC published on its Web site and
through the Federal Register for further public comment along with
LSC's response to the first eleven comments on February 5, 2016. 81 FR
6295 and www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (February 2016 Notice--Revised
Estimates). In support of the notice, LSC provided a comprehensive
table

[[Page 52462]]

detailing specific data sources and revised calculations. See ``Table
I--Updated Estimates of the Size and Geographic Distribution of The
LSC-Eligible Agricultural Worker Population and the Sources and
Calculations Used to Develop Those Estimates'' (January 20, 2016) at
www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (February 2016 Notice--Revised Estimates,
Tables I-VII). In response to the second notice LSC received three
comments that are discussed in detail below.
On April 4, 2016, LSC published on its Web site and in the Federal
Register a notice for comment on a proposal from the Michigan Advocacy
Program (MAP) to use certain Michigan-specific estimates. 81 FR 19245
and www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (April 2016 Notice--Revisions to the
Michigan Estimate). LSC received one comment from MAP itself in
response to this notice. MAP's comment included 2015 administrative
data to support its view that LSC should adjust certain assumptions
underlying the estimates of dependents eligible for LSC-funded
services. LSC asked ETA to review the three comments filed in response
to the second notice and MAP's additional comment to identify which, if
any, of the commenters' recommendations would improve the accuracy of
the estimates of the LSC-eligible agricultural worker population and,
as appropriate, provide revised estimates of the LSC-eligible
agricultural worker population. ETA subcontracted with JBS to perform
this work. ETA transmitted to LSC the JBS analysis, which ETA found
technically sound. See Memorandum from the U.S. Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration (July 26, 2016) transmitting the
JBS memorandum ``Assessment of Technical Comments Concerning the
Methodology for Estimating the Number and Geographic Distribution of
Agricultural Workers Who are Eligible for Services Provided by the
Legal Services Corporation (LSC), for ETA Review'' (July 6, 2016) at
www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (August 2016 Notice--Final Estimates,
Appendix A) (hereafter ``July 2016 ETA and JBS Memorandum'').

II. Summary of Comments and Key Changes to LSC'S Estimates

In the second notice, 81 FR 6295 (February 5, 2016), LSC identified
three areas for additional public comment: (1) ETA's methodology and
data after further analysis of the data was conducted; (2) newly
proposed estimates of aliens within the agricultural worker population
who are eligible under 45 CFR Sec. 1624.4 for services from LSC
grantees based on sexual abuse, domestic violence, trafficking, or
other abusive or criminal activities; and (3) proposals of available
and reliable state- or region-specific data for augmenting the ETA data
in individual states. With this notice, LSC published a memorandum
explaining LSC's proposed methodology and estimates of the agricultural
worker population eligible under 45 CFR Sec. 1626.4. See ``Estimate of
the Population of Agricultural Workers Eligible for LSC Funded Services
Pursuant to 45 CFR Sec. 1626.4--Anti-Abuse Laws'' (January 20, 2016)
available at www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (February 2016 Notice--Revised
Estimates, Appendix A).
LSC received one comment from the National Legal Aid and Defender
Association (NLADA) Agricultural Worker Project Group. LSC also
received comments from two grantees: Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP)
and Puerto Rico Legal Services. Both comments are published at
www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data.
The comments expressed continued support for LSC's efforts to
update the estimates of agricultural workers in the United States who
are eligible for LSC services. The comments also supported (with the
exception discussed in Section E below) LSC's proposed methodology and
resulting estimates of aliens within the agricultural worker population
eligible for services from LSC grantees based on sexual abuse, domestic
violence, trafficking, or other abusive or criminal activities under 45
CFR Sec. 1626.4.
Generally, the concerns raised by the commenters fell into six
categories. As discussed in detail below, LSC has revised its final
estimates to incorporate all but two of the changes proposed in the
comments.

A. Concerns Regarding the ETA Estimates of Eligible Farmworker
Dependents

NLADA and Michigan Advocacy Program asserted that the ETA estimates
of farmworker dependents for LSC-funded services (based on ETA's
``country of birth'' method) were too low because they were based on
what NLADA and MAP believed were two erroneous assumptions: (1) That
foreign-born adult children (18 or older) would be ``authorized' (that
is, meet the eligibility requirements of Part 1626) only if they had at
least one parent or spouse born in the U.S., and (2) that spouses and
other farmworker relatives in farmworker households would be authorized
only if they themselves are U.S.-born.
Both commenters urged LSC to revise its estimates of dependents
eligible for LSC-funded services by directing ETA to change these
assumptions and include in the estimate of ``authorized'' dependents
(1) all adult children of farmworkers whom the National Agricultural
Workers Survey (NAWS) has identified as ``authorized,'' not just those
children born in the U.S., and (2) all spouses of farmworkers whom the
NAWS has identified as ``authorized,'' not just those spouses who are
born in the U.S.
After reviewing these comments, ETA determined that a revision of
the estimation methodology could provide a more accurate estimate of
the number of authorized dependents. See ``July 2016 ETA and JBS
Memorandum.'' Table V, which LSC is publishing on its Web site, shows
the impact this revision has on the population estimates. See ``Table
V--Number of LSC-Eligible Agricultural Worker Dependents by State:
Comparison of February 2016 and Final Estimates'' at www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (August 2016 Notice--Final Estimates, Tables I-VI).

B. Concerns Regarding the Estimates of the Number of Agricultural
Workers With Pending I-130 Petitions; Political Asylum Seekers;
Refugees; or Individuals Granted Withholding of Deportation, Exclusion
or Removal

NLADA expressed concern that LSC's estimates undercounted the
number of agricultural workers or dependents who are authorized because
(1) they have pending I-130 petitions and a requisite relationship with
a U.S. citizen child, spouse, or parent or (2) are political asylum
seekers; refugees; or individuals granted withholding of deportation,
exclusion or removal. The comments asserted that the NAWS survey does
not adequately capture the relevant data because an interviewer, when
asking about an individual's immigration status, is only required to
list specific immigration statuses (such as a pending I-130 petition)
if ``necessary.'' The comments stated that many agricultural workers,
in response to survey questions, correctly state that they are
``unauthorized'' but are not asked a follow-up question whether they
have a pending I-130 petition or are in situations that may otherwise
qualify them for LSC-funded services under 45 CFR part 1626 (LSC
regulation providing categories of aliens eligible for legal assistance
under anti-abuse laws and based on immigration status).
NLADA requested that LSC develop revised estimates based on data
from governmental sources (e.g., U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services or

[[Page 52463]]

the State Department) and other ``reputable studies.'' NLADA maintained
that these data sources ``should make it possible to estimate, at least
on a national basis, the number'' of farmworkers who would be eligible
for LSC-funded services because they have pending I-130 petitions.
NLADA asserted that ``the same analysis applies to those who are LSC-
eligible because they are asylum seekers, refugees and granted
withholding of deportation and are LSC-eligible but who might not be
identified through the NAWS survey.''
LSC requested that ETA review these comments. After reviewing these
comments, ETA determined that the NAWS would capture necessary
information about respondents who might be LSC-eligible because they
are political asylum seekers, refugees, or have temporary protective
status. Therefore, no adjustment in the estimation formula was needed
to improve the accuracy of the estimates of these individuals.
ETA acknowledged that some respondents with pending I-130s,
however, may not have been correctly identified, as the NAWS
questionnaire does not include a question that directly asks if the
respondent has a pending I-130 and, as a result, the methodology in the
estimates published on February 5, 2016, could underestimate the number
of these individuals who might be LSC-eligible. Accordingly, the
estimation methodology was revised to improve the accuracy of this
estimate. See ``July 2016 ETA and JBS Memorandum.'' LSC is publishing
on its Web site Table IV, which identifies the effects this change has
on the population estimates. See ``Table IV--Number of LSC-Eligible
Agricultural Workers by State: Comparison of February 2016 and Final
Estimates'' at www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (August 2016 Notice--Final
Estimates, Tables I-VI).

C. Requests To Use the Most Recent Data on the Number of H-2A and H-2B
Workers

Michigan Advocacy Program and NLADA requested that LSC revise its
estimates to reflect more current data regarding the population of H-2A
agricultural workers and H-2B forestry workers. The comments urged LSC
to incorporate Department of Labor data on the number of H-2A and H-2B
positions certified nationwide in FY 2015 because these data
demonstrate a substantial increase in the number of H-2A workers since
2012.
The estimates of the number and geographic distribution of
agricultural workers eligible for LSC-funded services are based on a
variety of 2012 data sources. Although there are more recent data for
H-2A agricultural workers and H-2B forestry workers, more recent data
are not available from the Census of Agriculture, which provided
substantial data in the estimation methodology. JBS's recommendation,
which ETA has endorsed, is to use 2012 data for H-2A agricultural
workers and H-2B forestry workers for consistency with the 2012 data
from the other information sources used in the estimation formula. See
``July 2016 ETA and JBS Memorandum.''

D. Requests for LSC To Reconsider the Use of Data and Resulting
Estimates Reported by the NAWS Twelve-Region Sampling Groups

NAWS data are reported for twelve-region sampling strata and six-
region analysis groupings; the six region data have lower relative
standard errors (RSEs) than the twelve region data. Both NLADA and
Michigan Advocacy Program expressed concern with ETA's use of NAWS
twelve-region sampling group data to estimate the state-level
populations of agricultural workers, because reliance on NAWS twelve-
region data produced less reliable estimates than would six-region data
and resulted in characterizations of state farmworker populations in
some states, which were inconsistent with the commenters' first-hand
knowledge about the state-level demographics and status of farmworkers
and their dependents. To reduce the likelihood of these anomalies, the
commenters urged LSC to revise its estimates of LSC-eligible
agricultural workers by using the NAWS six-region data instead of the
NAWS twelve-region data.
LSC asked ETA to consider these comments. ETA endorsed JBS's
analysis that the use of the NAWS six-region data would result in more
robust estimates because the RSEs of the estimates are lower at the
six-region level than they are at twelve-region level. See ``July 2016
ETA and JBS Memorandum.'' Accordingly, ETA provided and LSC will use
revised estimates based on NAWS six-region data.

E. Concerns Over the Calculation of the Population Eligible Pursuant to
Anti-Abuse Provisions of 45 CFR 1626.4

The comments from NLADA and Michigan Advocacy Program stated that
LSC's estimates of the population of people who are eligible pursuant
to the anti-abuse provisions of 45 CFR 1626.4 were based on an
incorrect poverty level standard. ETA agrees with these comments and
has revised the estimates using the correct poverty level standard.
LSC's final estimates reflect this correction. Table VI identifies the
effects this change has on the population estimates. See ``Table VI--
Number of Unauthorized and Below-Poverty Farmworkers Eligible for LSC-
Funded Services Pursuant to Anti-Abuse Provisions of 45 CFR 1626.4 by
State: Comparison of February 2016 and Final Estimates'' at
www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (August 2016 Notice--Final Estimates, Tables
I-VI).

F. Proposals To Use Alternate Methodologies and Data Sources To
Estimate Individual State Agricultural Worker Populations

In response to the February 5, 2016 public notice, LSC received one
proposal to use alternate methodologies and data sources to estimate
agricultural worker populations for individual states: Michigan
Advocacy Program proposed alternative methods, data sources and
estimates of the agricultural worker population in Michigan. In
response to the April 4, 2016 public notice, MAP provided additional
information to support its proposed alternative methods and estimates.
LSC asked ETA to analyze the methods, data sources and population
estimates MAP proposed. ETA endorsed JBS's assessment that MAP's
proposed methodology and data do not produce estimates that are more
accurate than the published estimates because the majority of those
data sources ``do not have eligibility guidelines concerning household
poverty and alien status that are consistent with the LSC criteria.''
These agencies were Migrant Health Centers that can provide. See ``July
2016 ETA and JBS Memorandum'' (JBS's Response to Recommendation 6).
Therefore, LSC declines to adopt the alternate estimates provided by
the Michigan Advocacy Program. Some of MAP's proposals were, in effect,
accepted as a result of the changes in the ETA methodology discussed
above in sections A and B.
Puerto Rico Legal Services also submitted additional data and
comments regarding the agricultural worker population in Puerto Rico.
In its comment, Puerto Rico Legal Services explained the inherent
difficulty in calculating this population. LSC commends Puerto Rico
Legal Services for working with local government agencies to seek to
obtain actual and realistic data concerning the number of local and
migrant workers on the island. However, because these data have not yet
been developed, LSC will not revise its estimates of the agricultural
worker population in Puerto Rico.

[[Page 52464]]

III. Conclusion

As discussed herein, LSC will implement these final estimates for
Basic Field--Agricultural Worker grants by distributing funding among
all of the existing Agricultural Worker grant service areas for 2017
grants at a 50% implementation level (compared with the 2016
distribution) and then for 2018 and successive years at a 100%
implementation level. LSC will also obtain updated population estimates
of agricultural workers every three years for recalculation on the same
statutory cycle as LSC obtains updated poverty-population data from the
U.S. Census Bureau for the distribution of LSC's Basic Field Programs
appropriation. LSC is publishing on its Web site the following revised
tables showing the final estimates and their effects on Basic Field-
Agricultural Worker grants (presuming for comparison constant total LSC
funding for Basic Field Program grants during the relevant grant
years). See www.lsc.gov/ag-worker-data (August 2016 Notice--Final
Estimates, Tables I-VI). Descriptions of these tables are included
below.

Table I

Final National and State Estimates of the LSC-Eligible Agricultural
Worker Population--Summary Table: This table provides summary
information about the major data sources and calculations used to
derive the updated estimates.

Table II

LSC-Eligible Agricultural Worker Population by State: Comparison of
Current (Fiscal Year 2016) Population Estimates and Final Estimates.
The data in this table show the differences between the final estimates
of the agricultural worker population and the population estimates on
which Fiscal Year 2016 grant allocations were based.

Table III

LSC-Eligible Agricultural Worker Population by State: Comparison of
February 2016 Estimates and Final Estimates. The data in this table
show the differences between the final estimates of the total LSC-
eligible agricultural worker population and the estimates published in
February 2016.

Table IV

Number of LSC-Eligible Agricultural Workers by State: Comparison of
February 2016 and Final Estimates. The data in this table show the
differences between the final estimates number of the number LSC-
eligible agricultural workers and the estimates published in February
2016.

Table V

Number of LSC-Eligible Agricultural Worker Dependents by State:
Comparison of February 2016 and Final Estimates. The data in this table
show the differences between the final estimates of the number of
agricultural worker dependents and the estimates published in February
2016.

Table VI

Number of Unauthorized and Below-Poverty Farmworkers Eligible for
LSC-Funded Services Pursuant to Anti-Abuse Provisions of 45 CFR 1626.4
by State: Comparison of February 2016 and Final Estimates. The data in
this table show the differences between the final estimates and the
estimates published in February 2016 of the number of unauthorized and
below-poverty farmworkers eligible for LSC-funded services pursuant to
anti-abuse provisions of 45 CFR 1626.4.

Dated: August 3, 2016
Mark Freedman,
Senior Associate General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2016-18753 Filed 8-5-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7050-01-P

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