Extension of and Addition to Employment Authorization for Syrian F-1 Nonimmigrant Students Experiencing Severe Economic Hardship as a Direct Result of Civil Unrest in Syria Since March 2011, 62520-62521 [2016-21525]
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62520
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 175 / Friday, September 9, 2016 / Notices
Affected Public: Businesses.
Estimated Number of Responses:
151,140.
Estimated Time per Response: 6
minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 15,114.
Dated: September 2, 2016.
Seth Renkema,
Branch Chief, Economic Impact Analysis
Branch, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
[FR Doc. 2016–21678 Filed 9–8–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111–14–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
[DHS Docket No. ICEB- 2013–0001]
RIN 1653–ZA10
Extension of and Addition to
Employment Authorization for Syrian
F–1 Nonimmigrant Students
Experiencing Severe Economic
Hardship as a Direct Result of Civil
Unrest in Syria Since March 2011
U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE), DHS.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This notice informs the public
of the extension of and addition to an
earlier notice, which suspended certain
requirements for F–1 nonimmigrant
students whose country of citizenship is
Syria and who are experiencing severe
economic hardship as a direct result of
the civil unrest in Syria since March
2011. This notice extends the effective
date of that notice and expands the
application of such suspension to
students whose country of citizenship is
Syria and who lawfully obtained F–1
nonimmigrant student status between
the date of the original notice and
September 9, 2016.
DATES: This notice is effective
September 9, 2016 and will remain in
effect until March 31, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Louis Farrell, Director, Student and
Exchange Visitor Program, MS 5600,
U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, 500 12th Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20536–5600; email:
sevp@ice.dhs.gov, telephone: (703) 603–
3400. This is not a toll-free number.
Program information can be found at
https://www.ice.gov/sevis/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
What action is DHS taking under this
notice?
The Secretary of Homeland Security
is exercising his authority under 8 CFR
214.2(f)(9) to extend the suspension of
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:11 Sep 08, 2016
Jkt 238001
the applicability of certain requirements
governing on-campus and off-campus
employment for F–1 nonimmigrant
students whose country of citizenship is
Syria and who are experiencing severe
economic hardship as a direct result of
the civil unrest in Syria since March
2011. See 77 FR 20038 (April 3, 2012).
This notice also suspends these same
regulatory requirements for students
whose country of citizenship is Syria
and who lawfully obtained F–1
nonimmigrant student status between
the date of the original notice and
September 9, 2016. The original notice
was effective from April 3, 2012 until
October 3, 2013. A subsequent notice
provided for an 18-month extension
from October 3, 2013, through March
31, 2015. See 78 FR 36211 (June 17,
2013). A third notice provided another
18-month extension from March 31,
2015, through September 30, 2016. See
80 FR 232 (January 5, 2015). Effective
with this publication, suspension of the
employment limitations is extended for
18 months from September 30, 2016,
until March 31, 2018. This publication
also suspends the applicability of the
same regulatory requirements in 8 CFR
214.2(f)(9) for students who meet the
requirements contained in the notice
below as of September 9, 2016.
F–1 nonimmigrant students granted
employment authorization through the
notice will continue to be deemed to be
engaged in a ‘‘full course of study’’ for
the duration of their employment
authorization, provided they satisfy the
minimum course load requirement
described in 77 FR 20038. See 8 CFR
214.2(f)(6)(i)(F).
Who is covered under this action?
This notice applies exclusively to F–
1 nonimmigrant students whose country
of citizenship is Syria and who were
lawfully present in the United States in
F–1 nonimmigrant status on or after
April 3, 2012, through September 9,
2016 under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act
(INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i); and
are—
(1) Enrolled in an institution that is
Student and Exchange Visitor Program
(SEVP)-certified for enrollment of F–1
students,
(2) Currently maintaining F–1 status,
and
(3) Experiencing severe economic
hardship as a direct result of the
ongoing civil unrest in Syria since
March 2011.
ICE records show that as of August
2016, there are approximately 700
Syrian F–1 Visa holders in active status
who would be covered by this notice.
This notice applies to both
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
undergraduate and graduate students, as
well as elementary school, middle
school, and high school students. The
notice, however, applies differently to
elementary school, middle school, and
high school students (see the discussion
published at 77 FR 20040, available at
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-201204-03/pdf/2012-7960.pdf, in the
question, ‘‘Does this notice apply to
elementary school, middle school, and
high school students in F–1 status?’’).
F–1 students covered by this notice
who transfer to other academic
institutions that are SEVP-certified for
enrollment of F–1 students remain
eligible for the relief provided by means
of this notice.
Why is DHS taking this action?
The Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) took action to provide
temporary relief to F–1 nonimmigrant
students whose country of citizenship is
Syria and who experienced severe
economic hardship because of the civil
unrest in Syria since March 2011. See
77 FR 20038 (April 3, 2012). It enabled
these F–1 students to obtain
employment authorization, work an
increased number of hours while school
was in session, and reduce their course
load, while continuing to maintain their
F–1 student status. In June 2013 and
again in January 2015, DHS
acknowledged that the the civil unrest
in Syria continued to affect Syria’s
citizens, with many people still
displaced as a result. DHS extended the
application of the original April 3, 2012,
notice through September 30, 2016, to
continue to provide temporary relief to
Syrian F–1 students who experienced
severe economic hardship as a result of
the conflict. Despite DHS’s
determination that the civil conflict in
Syria continued well beyond the
October 3, 2013 expiration date of the
original notice, previous extensions of
the original notice did not make
temporary relief available to Syrian F–
1 students who became lawfully present
in the United States in F–1
nonimmigrant status after April 3, 2012.
The conflict in Syria continues to
affect the physical and economic
security of its citizens. Syria is
experiencing ongoing civil unrest,
resulting in the continuing
displacement of massive numbers of its
citizens. As of October 2015, a United
Nations report indicated that
approximately 6.5 million Syrians were
internally displaced. A number of
violent extremist groups have factored
prominently in the conflict and pose a
danger to civilians. Various radical
Islamist organizations have been
actively engaged in armed resistance in
E:\FR\FM\09SEN1.SGM
09SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 175 / Friday, September 9, 2016 / Notices
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Syria. In early 2014, the Islamic State of
Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) emerged as
one of the most significant radical
Islamist fighting forces. The al-Nusra
Front (also known as Jabhat Fateh alSham and/orJabhat al Nusra) represents
the interests of al-Qaeda in Syria. These
jihadist groups have engaged in
indiscriminate attacks including
bombings and suicide attacks
throughout Syria. Most recently on
March 17, 2016, U.S. Secretary of State
John Kerry declared that ISIL had
committed acts of genocide against
groups of people living in areas of Syria
under ISIL control, including Yezidis,
Christians, and Shia Muslims.
Furthermore, various aspects of the
conflict including economic sanctions
imposed by the international
community have negatively affected the
entire Syrian economy. A report
published by the Syrian Center for
Policy Research, referenced by a
publication from the Carnegie Middle
East Center in Beirut, indicated that by
the end of 2014, 82% of Syrian people
lived in poverty, and the country had an
unemployment rate of 58%. The report
also estimated that 877,000 people in
Syria became poor in part due to
economic sanctions. As of December
2014, the World Bank determined that
the conflict in Syria significantly
damaged public and private assets, with
Syria’s GDP having declined an average
of 15.4%. The World Bank also assessed
that inflation increased by almost 90%
in 2013 and further increased an average
of 29% in 2014. Given the conditions in
Syria, affected students whose primary
means of financial support come from
Syria may need to be exempt from the
normal student employment
requirements to be able to continue their
studies in the United States and meet
basic living expenses.
The United States is committed to
continuing to assist the people of Syria.
DHS is therefore extending this
employment authorization for F–1
nonimmigrant students whose country
of citizenship is Syria and who are
continuing to experience severe
economic hardship as a result of the
civil unrest since March 2011, including
those who became lawfully present in
F–1 nonimmigrant status between April
3, 2012, and September 9, 2016.
How do I apply for an employment
authorization under the circumstances
of this notice?
F–1 nonimmigrant students whose
country of citizenship is Syria who were
lawfully present in the United States on
or after April 3, 2012, through
September 9, 2016, and are experiencing
severe economic hardship because of
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:11 Sep 08, 2016
Jkt 238001
the civil unrest, may apply for
employment authorization under the
guidelines described in 77 FR 20038.
This notice extends the time period
during which such F–1 students may
seek employment authorization due to
the civil unrest. It does not impose any
new or additional policies or procedures
beyond those listed in the original
notice. All interested F–1 students
should follow the instructions listed in
the original notice.
Jeh Charles Johnson,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016–21525 Filed 9–8–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111–28–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services
[OMB Control Number 1615–0102]
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Freedom of Information/
Privacy Act Request, Form G–639;
Revision of a Currently Approved
Collection
U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services, Department of
Homeland Security.
ACTION: 60-Day notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Homeland
Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration (USCIS) invites the general
public and other Federal agencies to
comment upon this proposed revision of
a currently approved collection. In
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the
information collection notice is
published in the Federal Register to
obtain comments regarding the nature of
the information collection, the
categories of respondents, the estimated
burden (i.e. the time, effort, and
resources used by the respondents to
respond), the estimated cost to the
respondent, and the actual information
collection instruments.
DATES: Comments are encouraged and
will be accepted for 60 days until
November 8, 2016.
ADDRESSES: All submissions received
must include the OMB Control Number
1615–0102 in the subject box, the
agency name and Docket ID USCIS–
2008–0028. To avoid duplicate
submissions, please use only one of the
following methods to submit comments:
(1) Online. Submit comments via the
Federal eRulemaking Portal Web site at
https://www.regulations.gov under
e-Docket ID number USCIS–2008–0028;
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00052
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
62521
(2) Email. Submit comments to
USCISFRComment@uscis.dhs.gov;
(3) Mail. Submit written comments to
DHS, USCIS, Office of Policy and
Strategy, Chief, Regulatory Coordination
Division, 20 Massachusetts Avenue
NW., Washington, DC 20529–2140.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
USCIS, Office of Policy and Strategy,
Regulatory Coordination Division,
Samantha L. Deshommes, Chief, 20
Massachusetts Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20529–2140, telephone
number 202–272–8377 (This is not a
toll-free number. Comments are not
accepted via telephone message). Please
note contact information provided here
is solely for questions regarding this
notice. It is not for individual case
status inquiries. 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).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments
You may access the information
collection instrument with instructions,
or additional information by visiting the
Federal eRulemaking Portal site at:
https://www.regulations.gov and enter
USCIS–2008–0028 in the search box.
Regardless of the method used for
submitting comments or material, all
submissions will be posted, without
change, to the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov,
and will include any personal
information you provide. Therefore,
submitting this information makes it
public. You may wish to consider
limiting the amount of personal
information that you provide in any
voluntary submission you make to DHS.
DHS may withhold information
provided in comments from public
viewing that it determines may impact
the privacy of an individual or is
offensive. For additional information,
please read the Privacy Act notice that
is available via the link in the footer of
https://www.regulations.gov.
Written comments and suggestions
from the public and affected agencies
should address one or more of the
following four points:
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
E:\FR\FM\09SEN1.SGM
09SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 175 (Friday, September 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62520-62521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21525]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
[DHS Docket No. ICEB- 2013-0001]
RIN 1653-ZA10
Extension of and Addition to Employment Authorization for Syrian
F-1 Nonimmigrant Students Experiencing Severe Economic Hardship as a
Direct Result of Civil Unrest in Syria Since March 2011
AGENCY: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), DHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice informs the public of the extension of and
addition to an earlier notice, which suspended certain requirements for
F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Syria and who
are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the
civil unrest in Syria since March 2011. This notice extends the
effective date of that notice and expands the application of such
suspension to students whose country of citizenship is Syria and who
lawfully obtained F-1 nonimmigrant student status between the date of
the original notice and September 9, 2016.
DATES: This notice is effective September 9, 2016 and will remain in
effect until March 31, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louis Farrell, Director, Student and
Exchange Visitor Program, MS 5600, U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, 500 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20536-5600; email:
sevp@ice.dhs.gov, telephone: (703) 603-3400. This is not a toll-free
number. Program information can be found at https://www.ice.gov/sevis/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
What action is DHS taking under this notice?
The Secretary of Homeland Security is exercising his authority
under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9) to extend the suspension of the applicability
of certain requirements governing on-campus and off-campus employment
for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Syria and
who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the
civil unrest in Syria since March 2011. See 77 FR 20038 (April 3,
2012). This notice also suspends these same regulatory requirements for
students whose country of citizenship is Syria and who lawfully
obtained F-1 nonimmigrant student status between the date of the
original notice and September 9, 2016. The original notice was
effective from April 3, 2012 until October 3, 2013. A subsequent notice
provided for an 18-month extension from October 3, 2013, through March
31, 2015. See 78 FR 36211 (June 17, 2013). A third notice provided
another 18-month extension from March 31, 2015, through September 30,
2016. See 80 FR 232 (January 5, 2015). Effective with this publication,
suspension of the employment limitations is extended for 18 months from
September 30, 2016, until March 31, 2018. This publication also
suspends the applicability of the same regulatory requirements in 8 CFR
214.2(f)(9) for students who meet the requirements contained in the
notice below as of September 9, 2016.
F-1 nonimmigrant students granted employment authorization through
the notice will continue to be deemed to be engaged in a ``full course
of study'' for the duration of their employment authorization, provided
they satisfy the minimum course load requirement described in 77 FR
20038. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F).
Who is covered under this action?
This notice applies exclusively to F-1 nonimmigrant students whose
country of citizenship is Syria and who were lawfully present in the
United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on or after April 3, 2012,
through September 9, 2016 under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i); and
are--
(1) Enrolled in an institution that is Student and Exchange Visitor
Program (SEVP)-certified for enrollment of F-1 students,
(2) Currently maintaining F-1 status, and
(3) Experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the
ongoing civil unrest in Syria since March 2011.
ICE records show that as of August 2016, there are approximately
700 Syrian F-1 Visa holders in active status who would be covered by
this notice. This notice applies to both undergraduate and graduate
students, as well as elementary school, middle school, and high school
students. The notice, however, applies differently to elementary
school, middle school, and high school students (see the discussion
published at 77 FR 20040, available at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-04-03/pdf/2012-7960.pdf, in the question, ``Does this notice apply
to elementary school, middle school, and high school students in F-1
status?'').
F-1 students covered by this notice who transfer to other academic
institutions that are SEVP-certified for enrollment of F-1 students
remain eligible for the relief provided by means of this notice.
Why is DHS taking this action?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took action to provide
temporary relief to F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of
citizenship is Syria and who experienced severe economic hardship
because of the civil unrest in Syria since March 2011. See 77 FR 20038
(April 3, 2012). It enabled these F-1 students to obtain employment
authorization, work an increased number of hours while school was in
session, and reduce their course load, while continuing to maintain
their F-1 student status. In June 2013 and again in January 2015, DHS
acknowledged that the the civil unrest in Syria continued to affect
Syria's citizens, with many people still displaced as a result. DHS
extended the application of the original April 3, 2012, notice through
September 30, 2016, to continue to provide temporary relief to Syrian
F-1 students who experienced severe economic hardship as a result of
the conflict. Despite DHS's determination that the civil conflict in
Syria continued well beyond the October 3, 2013 expiration date of the
original notice, previous extensions of the original notice did not
make temporary relief available to Syrian F-1 students who became
lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status after
April 3, 2012.
The conflict in Syria continues to affect the physical and economic
security of its citizens. Syria is experiencing ongoing civil unrest,
resulting in the continuing displacement of massive numbers of its
citizens. As of October 2015, a United Nations report indicated that
approximately 6.5 million Syrians were internally displaced. A number
of violent extremist groups have factored prominently in the conflict
and pose a danger to civilians. Various radical Islamist organizations
have been actively engaged in armed resistance in
[[Page 62521]]
Syria. In early 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)
emerged as one of the most significant radical Islamist fighting
forces. The al-Nusra Front (also known as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and/
orJabhat al Nusra) represents the interests of al-Qaeda in Syria. These
jihadist groups have engaged in indiscriminate attacks including
bombings and suicide attacks throughout Syria. Most recently on March
17, 2016, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry declared that ISIL had
committed acts of genocide against groups of people living in areas of
Syria under ISIL control, including Yezidis, Christians, and Shia
Muslims.
Furthermore, various aspects of the conflict including economic
sanctions imposed by the international community have negatively
affected the entire Syrian economy. A report published by the Syrian
Center for Policy Research, referenced by a publication from the
Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, indicated that by the end of
2014, 82% of Syrian people lived in poverty, and the country had an
unemployment rate of 58%. The report also estimated that 877,000 people
in Syria became poor in part due to economic sanctions. As of December
2014, the World Bank determined that the conflict in Syria
significantly damaged public and private assets, with Syria's GDP
having declined an average of 15.4%. The World Bank also assessed that
inflation increased by almost 90% in 2013 and further increased an
average of 29% in 2014. Given the conditions in Syria, affected
students whose primary means of financial support come from Syria may
need to be exempt from the normal student employment requirements to be
able to continue their studies in the United States and meet basic
living expenses.
The United States is committed to continuing to assist the people
of Syria. DHS is therefore extending this employment authorization for
F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Syria and who
are continuing to experience severe economic hardship as a result of
the civil unrest since March 2011, including those who became lawfully
present in F-1 nonimmigrant status between April 3, 2012, and September
9, 2016.
How do I apply for an employment authorization under the circumstances
of this notice?
F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Syria who
were lawfully present in the United States on or after April 3, 2012,
through September 9, 2016, and are experiencing severe economic
hardship because of the civil unrest, may apply for employment
authorization under the guidelines described in 77 FR 20038. This
notice extends the time period during which such F-1 students may seek
employment authorization due to the civil unrest. It does not impose
any new or additional policies or procedures beyond those listed in the
original notice. All interested F-1 students should follow the
instructions listed in the original notice.
Jeh Charles Johnson,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-21525 Filed 9-8-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-28-P