Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documentation for Beneficiaries Under El Salvador's Designation for Temporary Protected Status, 12629-12632 [2017-04454]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 42 / Monday, March 6, 2017 / Notices [FR Doc. 2017–04230 Filed 3–3–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–12–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [CIS No. 2600–17; DHS Docket No. USCIS– 2008–0034] RIN 1615–ZB65 Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documentation for Beneficiaries Under El Salvador’s Designation for Temporary Protected Status U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: Notice; extension of Employment Authorization Documents validity date. AGENCY: On July 8, 2016, the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) extended the designation of El Salvador for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months by notice in the Federal Register. Through the same notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) automatically extended for 6 months the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued under the TPS designation of El Salvador with a September 9, 2016 expiration date printed on the card. These EADs are currently valid through March 9, 2017. USCIS is now automatically extending the validity of these EADs for an additional 6 months, through September 9, 2017. DATES: The automatic extension of the validity of EADs issued under TPS for El Salvador that was set to expire on March 9, 2017, is now extended through September 9, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: • 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 El Salvador’s designation for TPS by selecting ‘‘El Salvador’’ from the menu on the left of the TPS Web page. • You can also contact Guillermo Roman-Riefkohl, TPS Operations Program Manager, Service Center Operations Directorate, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20529– 2060; or by phone at 202–272–1533 (this asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:24 Mar 03, 2017 Jkt 241001 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: When did the Secretary last extend El Salvador’s TPS designation? On July 8, 2016, the Secretary extended the TPS designation for El Salvador for a period of 18 months by notice in the Federal Register. See 81 FR 44645. That extension of El Salvador’s TPS designation is effective from September 10, 2016 through March 9, 2018. Is the Secretary extending El Salvador’s TPS designation through this Notice? No. This Notice does not extend El Salvador’s TPS designation past the existing March 9, 2018 expiration date of the current extension announced on July 8, 2016. This Notice also does not extend the re-registration period for existing TPS El Salvador beneficiaries under the extension announced on July 8, 2016, which ran from July 8, 2016 through September 6, 2016. What is the effect of this Notice on the validity of EADs issued under TPS for El Salvador? DHS previously extended for 6 months all EADs issued under TPS for El Salvador that currently display an expiration date of September 9, 2016; they currently expire on March 9, 2017. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not expect to be able to process all timely-received TPS re-registration applications and issue new EADs before these extended EADs expire. Accordingly, through this Notice, USCIS automatically extends the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of El Salvador for an additional 6 months, through September 9, 2017. Am I eligible to receive an additional automatic 6-month extension of my current EAD through September 9, 2017? If you currently have TPS under the designation of El Salvador, this Notice PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12629 automatically extends your EAD an additional 6 months through September 9, 2017, if you: • Received an EAD under the last extension of TPS for El Salvador; and • Have an EAD with a marked expiration date of September 9, 2016, bearing the notation ‘‘A–12’’ or ‘‘C– 19’’on the front of the card under ‘‘Category.’’ 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 document from List B (reflecting identity) together with one document from List C (reflecting employment authorization). Or you may present an acceptable receipt for List A, List B, or List C documents as described in the Employment Eligibility Verification (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. If your EAD has an expiration date of September 9, 2016, and states ‘‘A–12’’ or ‘‘C–19’’ under ‘‘Category,’’ it has been extended automatically beyond the previous automatic extension for an additional 6 months. It is now valid through September 9, 2017, by virtue of this Federal Register Notice, and you may choose to present your EAD to your employer as proof of identity and employment authorization for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) through September 9, 2017 (see the subsection titled ‘‘How do my employer and I complete the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) using an automatically extended EAD for a new job?’’ for further information). To minimize confusion over this extension at the time of hire, you should explain to your employer that USCIS automatically extended your EAD through September E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM 06MRN1 12630 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 42 / Monday, March 6, 2017 / Notices asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 9, 2017. You may also show your employer a copy of this Federal Register Notice confirming the automatic extension of employment authorization through September 9, 2017. As an alternative to presenting your automatically extended EAD, you may choose to present any other acceptable document from List A, a combination of one selection from List B and one selection from List C, or a valid receipt. What documentation may I show my employer if I am already employed but my current TPS-related EAD is expired? Even though EADs with an expiration date of September 9, 2016, that state ‘‘A–12’’ or ‘‘C–19’’ under ‘‘Category’’ have been automatically extended through September 9, 2017, your employer may need to ask you about your continued employment authorization after March 9, 2017, in order to meet his or her responsibilities for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9). Your employer may need to re-inspect your automatically extended EAD to check the expiration date and code to record the updated expiration date on your Form I–9 if he or she did not keep a copy of this EAD when you initially presented it. However, your employer does not need a new document to reverify your employment authorization until September 9, 2017, the expiration date of the additional automatic extension. Instead, you and your employer must make corrections to the employment authorization expiration dates in Section 1 and Section 2 of Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) (see the subsection titled ‘‘What corrections should my current employer and I make to Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) if my EAD has been automatically extended?’’ for further information). In addition, you may also show this Federal Register Notice to your employer to explain what to do for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9). By September 9, 2017, the expiration date of the additional automatic extension, your employer must reverify your employment authorization. At that time, you must present any document from List A or any document from List C on Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) to reverify employment authorization, or an acceptable List A or List C receipt described in the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) Instructions. Your employer should: • Complete Section 3 of the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) originally completed for you; or VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:24 Mar 03, 2017 Jkt 241001 • If Section 3 has already been completed or if the version of Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) has expired (check the date in the upper right-hand corner of the form), complete Section 3 of a new Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) using the most current version. Note that employers may not specify which List A or List C document employees must present, and cannot reject an acceptable receipt. Can my employer require that I produce any other documentation to prove my status, such as proof of my Salvadoran citizenship? No. When completing Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9), including reverifying 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 Salvadoran citizenship or proof of re-registration for TPS when completing Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) for new hires or correcting expiration dates for automatically extended EADs or reverifying the employment authorization of current employees. If presented with EADs that have been automatically extended, employers should accept such EADs as valid List A documents so long as the EADs reasonably appear to be genuine and to relate to the employee. 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. What happens after September 9, 2017, for purposes of employment authorization? After September 9, 2017, employers may no longer accept the EADs that this Federal Register Notice automatically extended. Before that time, however, USCIS will endeavor to issue new EADs to eligible TPS re-registrants who request them. These new EADs will have an expiration date of March 9, 2018, and can be presented to your employer for completion of Employment Eligibility Verification PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (Form I–9). Alternatively, you may choose to present any other legally acceptable document or combination of documents listed on the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9). How do my employer and I complete Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) using an automatically extended EAD for a new job? When using an automatically extended EAD to complete Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) for a new job prior to September 9, 2017, you and your employer should do the following: 1. For Section 1, you should: a. Check ‘‘An alien authorized to work’’; b. Write your alien number (USCIS number or A-Number) in the first space (your EAD or other document from DHS will have your USCIS number or ANumber printed on it; the USCIS number is the same as your A-Number without the A prefix); and c. Write the automatically extended EAD expiration date (September 9, 2017) in the second space. 2. For Section 2, employers should record the: a. Document title; b. Document number; and c. Automatically extended EAD expiration date (September 9, 2017). By September 9, 2017, employers must reverify the employee’s employment authorization in Section 3 of the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9). What corrections should my current employer and I make to Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) if I am using my automatically extended EAD to prove my employment eligibility? If you are an existing employee who presented a TPS-related EAD that was valid when you first started your job, but that EAD has now been automatically extended, your employer may need to re-inspect your automatically extended EAD if your employer does not have a copy of the EAD on file. You and your employer should correct your previously completed Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) as follows: 1. For Section 1, you should: a. Draw a line through the expiration date; b. Write ‘‘September 9, 2017’’ above the previous date; c. Write ‘‘TPS Ext.’’ in the margin of Section 1; and d. Initial and date the correction in the margin of Section 1. 2. For Section 2, employers should: E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM 06MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 42 / Monday, March 6, 2017 / Notices a. Draw a line through the expiration date written in Section 2; b. Write ‘‘September 9, 2017’’ above the previous date; c. Write ‘‘TPS Ext.’’ in the Additional Information field of Section 2; and d. Initial and date the correction in the margin of Section 2. By September 9, 2017, when the automatic extension of EADs expires, employers relying on an automatically extended EAD for proof of employment eligibility must reverify the employee’s employment authorization in Section 3. If I am an employer enrolled in EVerify, what do I do when I receive a ‘‘Work Authorization Documents Expiration’’ alert for an automatically extended EAD? If you have an employee who is a TPS beneficiary who provided a TPS-related EAD when he or she first started working for you, you will receive a ‘‘Work Authorization Documents Expiring’’ case alert when the autoextension period for this EAD is about to expire. If relying on an automatically extended EAD for proof of employment eligibility, by September 9, 2017, you must reverify employment authorization in Section 3. Employers should not use E-Verify for reverification. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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, Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) (formerly, the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices) Employer Hotline at 800–255–8155 (TTY 800– 237–2515), which offers language interpretation in numerous languages. Employers may also email IER at IER@ usdoj.gov; IER accepts email messages written in any language. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:24 Mar 03, 2017 Jkt 241001 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 IER 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; for information regarding discrimination related to Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) and E-Verify; and for information about how to file a complaint alleging immigration-related employment discrimination. The IER Worker Information Hotline provides language interpretation in numerous languages. Employees may also email IER at IER@usdoj.gov; IER accepts email messages written in any language. 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 Federal or state government records. 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 EVerify. 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, PO 00000 Frm 00099 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12631 immigration status, or national origin should contact IER’s Worker Information Hotline at 800–255–7688 (TTY 800–237–2515) for information about their rights and how to file a complaint against the employer. Additional information about proper nondiscriminatory Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) and EVerify procedures is available on the IER Web site at https://www.justice.gov/ ier 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) Benefit-granting agencies are bound by different laws, requirements, and determinations about what documents their applicants must provide to prove eligibility for certain benefits. Whether you are applying for a Federal, state, or local 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 that has been automatically extended or your EAD that has not expired; 2. A copy of this Federal Register Notice if your EAD is automatically extended under this Notice; 3. A copy of your Application for Temporary Protected Status Notice of Action (Form I–797) for this reregistration; 4. A copy of your past or current Application for Temporary Protected Status Notice of Action (Form I–797), if you received one from USCIS; and/or 5. If there is an automatic extension of work authorization, a copy of the fact sheet from the USCIS TPS Web site that provides information on the automatic extension. 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 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. E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM 06MRN1 12632 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 42 / Monday, March 6, 2017 / Notices 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 choosing ‘‘SAVE Resources’’ from the menu on the left, selecting ‘‘Benefit Applicants’’ in the middle of the page, then selecting ‘‘Publications,’’ and finally ‘‘SAVE Fact Sheet for Benefit Applicants.’’ Lori Scialabba, Acting Director. [FR Doc. 2017–04454 Filed 3–2–17; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 9111–97–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R4–ES–2016–N112; FXES11130400000C2–167–FF04E00000] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan for the Yellowcheek Darter Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment. AGENCY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the technical/agency draft recovery plan for the endangered yellowcheek darter, a fish. The draft recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria that must be met in order for us to reclassify this species to threatened status and ultimately delist it under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public. DATES: In order to be considered, comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or before May 5, 2017. SUMMARY: Reviewing documents: If you wish to review this technical/ agency draft recovery plan, you may obtain a copy by contacting Melvin Tobin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arkansas Ecological Services Field Office, 110 S. Amity Road, Suite 300, Conway, AR 72032; tel. 501–513–4473; or by visiting the Service’s Arkansas Field Office Web site at https:// www.fws.gov/arkansas-es. Submitting comments: If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments by one of the following methods: asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES ADDRESSES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:24 Mar 03, 2017 Jkt 241001 1. You may submit written comments and materials to us, at the above address. 2. You may hand-deliver written comments to our Arkansas Field Office, at the above address, or fax them to 501–513–4480. 3. You may send comments by email to Melvin_Tobin@fws.gov. Please include ‘‘Yellowcheek Darter Draft Recovery Plan Comments’’ on the subject line. For additional information about submitting comments, see Request for Public Comments below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melvin Tobin (see ADDRESSES). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Act requires the development of recovery plans for listed species, unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular species. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for conservation of the species, establish criteria for reclassification to threatened or delisting, and estimate time and cost for implementing recovery measures. Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to provide public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment during recovery plan development. We will consider all information presented during a public comment period prior to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. We and other Federal agencies will take these comments into account in the course of implementing approved recovery plans. About the Species We listed the yellowcheek darter (Etheostoma moorei) as endangered under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) on August 9, 2011 (76 FR 48722). A total of 102 river miles (164 rkm) in four streams (Middle, South, Archey, and Devils forks of the Little Red River) in Cleburne, Searcy, Stone, and Van Buren Counties, Arkansas was designated as critical habitat on October 16, 2012 (77 FR 63604). The yellowcheek darter grows to 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) total length and is endemic to the Devils, Middle, South, and Archey forks of the Little Red River and the mainstem Little Red River in Arkansas. The species inhabits highgradient headwater tributaries with clear water, permanent flow, moderate to strong riffles, and gravel, cobble, and boulder substrates (Robison and Buchanan 1988). Prey items consumed by the yellowcheek darter include blackfly larvae, stoneflies, mayflies, and other aquatic insects. PO 00000 Frm 00100 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Threats The yellowcheek darter is threatened primarily by factors associated with the present destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range. Threats include impoundment, sedimentation, poor livestock grazing practices, improper timber harvest practices, nutrient enrichment, gravel mining, channelization/channel instability, and natural gas development. Climate change is also likely to have adverse effects on the species due to alteration of hydrologic cycles of headwater streams that support the yellowcheek darter, but the extent or magnitude of this threat has not been quantified at this time. We have assigned the yellowcheek darter a recovery priority number of 2C (48 FR 43098), which reflects a high degree of threat, and a high recovery potential. Recovery Plan Components The ultimate goal of this recovery plan is to ensure the long-term viability of the yellowcheek darter in the wild to the point that it can be delisted from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (50 CFR 17.11). Initially, the goal is to reclassify the yellowcheek darter from endangered to threatened status based upon its improved status due to the implementation of recovery actions in this plan. Recovery Criteria Reclassification from endangered to threatened status: The yellowcheek darter will be considered for reclassification to threatened when (1) water quality and quantity in the Middle, South, and either Archey or Devils Forks, as defined by the best available science (to be refined by recovery actions), supports the longterm survival of yellowcheek darter in its natural environment (based on Safe Harbor enrollment and private landowner conservation efforts); (2) streams where the yellowcheek darter occurs contain sufficient geomorphically stable channels with relatively silt-free, moderate to strong velocity riffles with gravel cobble and boulder substrates that support adequate macroinvertebrate prey items; (3) healthy, self-sustaining (evident by multiple age classes of individuals, including naturally recruited juveniles and recruitment rates exceeding mortality rates) natural populations of yellowcheek darter are maintained in three of four tributaries (Middle, South, and either Archey or Devils Forks) at stable or increasing levels for 15 years E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM 06MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 42 (Monday, March 6, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12629-12632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04454]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

[CIS No. 2600-17; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2008-0034]
RIN 1615-ZB65

Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documentation for
Beneficiaries Under El Salvador's Designation for Temporary Protected
Status

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

ACTION: Notice; extension of Employment Authorization Documents
validity date.

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

SUMMARY: On July 8, 2016, the Secretary of Homeland Security
(Secretary) extended the designation of El Salvador for Temporary
Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months by notice in the
Federal Register. Through the same notice, the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) automatically extended for 6 months the validity of
Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued under the TPS
designation of El Salvador with a September 9, 2016 expiration date
printed on the card. These EADs are currently valid through March 9,
2017. USCIS is now automatically extending the validity of these EADs
for an additional 6 months, through September 9, 2017.

DATES: The automatic extension of the validity of EADs issued under TPS
for El Salvador that was set to expire on March 9, 2017, is now
extended through September 9, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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 El Salvador's designation for TPS by
selecting ``El Salvador'' from the menu on the left of the TPS Web
page.
You can also contact Guillermo Roman-Riefkohl, TPS
Operations Program Manager, Service Center Operations Directorate, U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security,
20 Massachusetts Avenue NW., 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:

When did the Secretary last extend El Salvador's TPS designation?

On July 8, 2016, the Secretary extended the TPS designation for El
Salvador for a period of 18 months by notice in the Federal Register.
See 81 FR 44645. That extension of El Salvador's TPS designation is
effective from September 10, 2016 through March 9, 2018.

Is the Secretary extending El Salvador's TPS designation through this
Notice?

No. This Notice does not extend El Salvador's TPS designation past
the existing March 9, 2018 expiration date of the current extension
announced on July 8, 2016. This Notice also does not extend the re-
registration period for existing TPS El Salvador beneficiaries under
the extension announced on July 8, 2016, which ran from July 8, 2016
through September 6, 2016.

What is the effect of this Notice on the validity of EADs issued under
TPS for El Salvador?

DHS previously extended for 6 months all EADs issued under TPS for
El Salvador that currently display an expiration date of September 9,
2016; they currently expire on March 9, 2017. U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) does not expect to be able to process all
timely-received TPS re-registration applications and issue new EADs
before these extended EADs expire. Accordingly, through this Notice,
USCIS automatically extends the validity of EADs issued under the TPS
designation of El Salvador for an additional 6 months, through
September 9, 2017.

Am I eligible to receive an additional automatic 6-month extension of
my current EAD through September 9, 2017?

If you currently have TPS under the designation of El Salvador,
this Notice automatically extends your EAD an additional 6 months
through September 9, 2017, if you:
Received an EAD under the last extension of TPS for El
Salvador; and
Have an EAD with a marked expiration date of September 9,
2016, bearing the notation ``A-12'' or ``C-19''on the front of the card
under ``Category.''

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 document from List B
(reflecting identity) together with one document from List C
(reflecting employment authorization). Or you may present an acceptable
receipt for List A, List B, or List C documents as described in the
Employment Eligibility Verification (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.
If your EAD has an expiration date of September 9, 2016, and states
``A-12'' or ``C-19'' under ``Category,'' it has been extended
automatically beyond the previous automatic extension for an additional
6 months. It is now valid through September 9, 2017, by virtue of this
Federal Register Notice, and you may choose to present your EAD to your
employer as proof of identity and employment authorization for
Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) through September 9,
2017 (see the subsection titled ``How do my employer and I complete the
Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) using an automatically
extended EAD for a new job?'' for further information). To minimize
confusion over this extension at the time of hire, you should explain
to your employer that USCIS automatically extended your EAD through
September

[[Page 12630]]

9, 2017. You may also show your employer a copy of this Federal
Register Notice confirming the automatic extension of employment
authorization through September 9, 2017. As an alternative to
presenting your automatically extended EAD, you may choose to present
any other acceptable document from List A, a combination of one
selection from List B and one selection from List C, or a valid
receipt.

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

Even though EADs with an expiration date of September 9, 2016, that
state ``A-12'' or ``C-19'' under ``Category'' have been automatically
extended through September 9, 2017, your employer may need to ask you
about your continued employment authorization after March 9, 2017, in
order to meet his or her responsibilities for Employment Eligibility
Verification (Form I-9). Your employer may need to re-inspect your
automatically extended EAD to check the expiration date and code to
record the updated expiration date on your Form I-9 if he or she did
not keep a copy of this EAD when you initially presented it. However,
your employer does not need a new document to reverify your employment
authorization until September 9, 2017, the expiration date of the
additional automatic extension. Instead, you and your employer must
make corrections to the employment authorization expiration dates in
Section 1 and Section 2 of Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-
9) (see the subsection titled ``What corrections should my current
employer and I make to Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9)
if my EAD has been automatically extended?'' for further information).
In addition, you may also show this Federal Register Notice to your
employer to explain what to do for Employment Eligibility Verification
(Form I-9).
By September 9, 2017, the expiration date of the additional
automatic extension, your employer must reverify your employment
authorization. At that time, you must present any document from List A
or any document from List C on Employment Eligibility Verification
(Form I-9) to reverify employment authorization, or an acceptable List
A or List C receipt described in the Employment Eligibility
Verification (Form I-9) Instructions. Your employer should:
Complete Section 3 of the Employment Eligibility
Verification (Form I-9) originally completed for you; or
If Section 3 has already been completed or if the version
of Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) has expired (check
the date in the upper right-hand corner of the form), complete Section
3 of a new Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) using the
most current version.
Note that employers may not specify which List A or List C document
employees must present, and cannot reject an acceptable receipt.

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

No. When completing Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9),
including reverifying 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 Salvadoran citizenship or proof of
re-registration for TPS when completing Employment Eligibility
Verification (Form I-9) for new hires or correcting expiration dates
for automatically extended EADs or reverifying the employment
authorization of current employees. If presented with EADs that have
been automatically extended, employers should accept such EADs as valid
List A documents so long as the EADs reasonably appear to be genuine
and to relate to the employee. 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.

What happens after September 9, 2017, for purposes of employment
authorization?

After September 9, 2017, employers may no longer accept the EADs
that this Federal Register Notice automatically extended. Before that
time, however, USCIS will endeavor to issue new EADs to eligible TPS
re-registrants who request them. These new EADs will have an expiration
date of March 9, 2018, and can be presented to your employer for
completion of Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9).
Alternatively, you may choose to present any other legally acceptable
document or combination of documents listed on the Employment
Eligibility Verification (Form I-9).

How do my employer and I complete Employment Eligibility Verification
(Form I-9) using an automatically extended EAD for a new job?

When using an automatically extended EAD to complete Employment
Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) for a new job prior to September 9,
2017, you and your employer should do the following:
1. For Section 1, you should:
a. Check ``An alien authorized to work'';
b. Write your alien number (USCIS number or A-Number) in the first
space (your EAD or other document from DHS will have your USCIS number
or A-Number printed on it; the USCIS number is the same as your A-
Number without the A prefix); and
c. Write the automatically extended EAD expiration date (September
9, 2017) in the second space.
2. For Section 2, employers should record the:
a. Document title;
b. Document number; and
c. Automatically extended EAD expiration date (September 9, 2017).
By September 9, 2017, employers must reverify the employee's
employment authorization in Section 3 of the Employment Eligibility
Verification (Form I-9).

What corrections should my current employer and I make to Employment
Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) if I am using my automatically
extended EAD to prove my employment eligibility?

If you are an existing employee who presented a TPS-related EAD
that was valid when you first started your job, but that EAD has now
been automatically extended, your employer may need to re-inspect your
automatically extended EAD if your employer does not have a copy of the
EAD on file. You and your employer should correct your previously
completed Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) as follows:
1. For Section 1, you should:
a. Draw a line through the expiration date;
b. Write ``September 9, 2017'' above the previous date;
c. Write ``TPS Ext.'' in the margin of Section 1; and
d. Initial and date the correction in the margin of Section 1.
2. For Section 2, employers should:

[[Page 12631]]

a. Draw a line through the expiration date written in Section 2;
b. Write ``September 9, 2017'' above the previous date;
c. Write ``TPS Ext.'' in the Additional Information field of
Section 2; and
d. Initial and date the correction in the margin of Section 2.
By September 9, 2017, when the automatic extension of EADs expires,
employers relying on an automatically extended EAD for proof of
employment eligibility must reverify the employee's employment
authorization in Section 3.

If I am an employer enrolled in E-Verify, what do I do when I receive a
``Work Authorization Documents Expiration'' alert for an automatically
extended EAD?

If you have an employee who is a TPS beneficiary who provided a
TPS-related EAD when he or she first started working for you, you will
receive a ``Work Authorization Documents Expiring'' case alert when the
auto-extension period for this EAD is about to expire. If relying on an
automatically extended EAD for proof of employment eligibility, by
September 9, 2017, you must reverify employment authorization in
Section 3. Employers should not use E-Verify for reverification.

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,
Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) (formerly, the Office of
Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices)
Employer Hotline at 800-255-8155 (TTY 800-237-2515), which offers
language interpretation in numerous languages. Employers may also email
IER at IER@usdoj.gov; IER accepts email messages written in any
language.

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 IER 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; for information regarding
discrimination related to Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-
9) and E-Verify; and for information about how to file a complaint
alleging immigration-related employment discrimination. The IER Worker
Information Hotline provides language interpretation in numerous
languages. Employees may also email IER at IER@usdoj.gov; IER accepts
email messages written in any language.
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 Federal or state government
records.
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, immigration status, or national
origin should contact IER's Worker Information Hotline at 800-255-7688
(TTY 800-237-2515) for information about their rights and how to file a
complaint against the employer. Additional information about proper
nondiscriminatory Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) and E-
Verify procedures is available on the IER Web site at https://www.justice.gov/ier 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)

Benefit-granting agencies are bound by different laws,
requirements, and determinations about what documents their applicants
must provide to prove eligibility for certain benefits. Whether you are
applying for a Federal, state, or local 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 that has been automatically extended or your
EAD that has not expired;
2. A copy of this Federal Register Notice if your EAD is
automatically extended under this Notice;
3. A copy of your Application for Temporary Protected Status Notice
of Action (Form I-797) for this re-registration;
4. A copy of your past or current Application for Temporary
Protected Status Notice of Action (Form I-797), if you received one
from USCIS; and/or
5. If there is an automatic extension of work authorization, a copy
of the fact sheet from the USCIS TPS Web site that provides information
on the automatic extension.
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 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.

[[Page 12632]]

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 choosing ``SAVE Resources'' from the menu on
the left, selecting ``Benefit Applicants'' in the middle of the page,
then selecting ``Publications,'' and finally ``SAVE Fact Sheet for
Benefit Applicants.''

Lori Scialabba,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 2017-04454 Filed 3-2-17; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 9111-97-P

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