Greece Electronic System for Travel Authorization Validity Period, 13795-13796 [2019-06750]

Download as PDF 13795 Rules and Regulations Federal Register Vol. 84, No. 67 Monday, April 8, 2019 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510. The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 8 CFR Part 217 Greece Electronic System for Travel Authorization Validity Period Office of the Secretary; DHS. Announcement of ESTA validity period. AGENCY: ACTION: In 2016, DHS reduced Greece’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) travel authorization validity period for travel by nationals of Greece under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) from two years to one year. The reduction was based on a 2015 VWP assessment of Greece, which had identified a number of shortcomings in satisfying VWP requirements. In November 2018, DHS re-evaluated Greece’s progress to meet the requirements and determined that Greece has satisfied the requirements for normalizing Greece’s ESTA validity period to two years. This document announces that DHS therefore is increasing Greece’s ESTA validity period to two years. DATES: This announcement is effective on April 8, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tamara Molina, Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security, Visa Waiver Program Office, 3801 Nebraska Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016, Telephone (202) 282–8044. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: jbell on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES I. Background A. The Visa Waiver Program Pursuant to section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1187, the Secretary of Homeland Security (the Secretary), in consultation with the Secretary of State, may designate certain countries for participation in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if certain requirements are met. Those requirements include, VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:49 Apr 05, 2019 Jkt 247001 without limitation: (1) A rate of nonimmigrant visitor visa refusals for nationals of the country below the statutorily-established threshold; (2) certification by the government seeking designation for VWP participation that it issues machine-readable passports that comply with internationally accepted standards; (3) a determination by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, that the country’s designation would not negatively affect U.S. law enforcement and security interests; (4) an agreement to report, or make available through other designated means authorized by the Secretary, information about the theft or loss of passports to the U.S. government; (5) the country’s government’s acceptance for repatriation of any citizen, former citizen, or national not later than three weeks after the issuance of a final order of removal; and (6) an agreement with the United States to share information regarding whether citizens or nationals of the country travelling to the United States represent a threat to the security or welfare of the United States or its citizens. See INA section 1187(c), 8 U.S.C. 1187(c). The INA also sets forth requirements for countries’ continued VWP eligibility and, where appropriate, probation or termination of program countries. See INA section 1187(c), (d) & (f); 8 U.S.C. 1187(c), (d) & (f). Citizens and eligible nationals of VWP countries may apply for admission to the United States at U.S. ports of entry as nonimmigrant visitors for business or pleasure for a period of ninety days or less without first obtaining a nonimmigrant visa, provided they are otherwise eligible for admission under applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. To travel to the United States under the VWP, an alien must be from a participating country and must, without limitation: (1) Be seeking entry as a visitor for business or pleasure for ninety days or less; (2) be a national of a VWP country; (3) present a valid electronic passport and a machine-readable passport issued by a designated VWP participant country to the air or vessel carrier before departure; 1 1 For countries designated as VWP countries prior to November 17, 2008, passports issued before October 26, 2006, need not contain the electronic chip that includes the biographic and biometric PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 (4) execute the required immigration forms; (5) if arriving by air or sea, arrive on an authorized carrier; (6) not represent a threat to the welfare, health, safety or security of the United States; (7) never have failed to comply with the conditions of any previous admission under the VWP; (8) possess a round-trip ticket; (9) waive the right to review or appeal a decision regarding admissibility at the port of entry or to contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any action for removal; and (10) obtain an approved travel authorization via Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).2 See INA section 217(a)–(b); 8 U.S.C. 1187(a)–(b). See also 8 CFR part 217. Greece was designated for participation in the Visa Waiver Program on March 31, 2010. See 75 FR 15991. B. ESTA Validity Period Typically, under DHS regulations, a travel authorization issued under ESTA is valid for a period of two years from the date of issuance. 8 CFR 217.5(d)(1). But the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may increase or decrease ESTA travel authorization validity period otherwise authorized by subparagraph (1) for a designated VWP country. See 8 CFR 217.5(d)(3). DHS typically publishes notice of any changes to ESTA travel authorization validity periods in the Federal Register. C. Normalization of Greece’s ESTA Validity Period DHS conducts a statutorily-required review of each VWP country at least once every two years to evaluate the effects that continuing the country’s designation in the program will have on U.S. national security, law enforcement, and immigration enforcement interests. See INA section 217(c)(5)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1187(c)(5)(A). In January 2015, DHS placed Greece on provisional VWP status (pursuant to which Greece is subject to an annual assessment, rather information of the passport holder provided the passports comply with International Civil Aviation Organization machine readable standards. See 8 U.S.C. 1732(c)(2). 2 See 73 FR 67354 (Nov. 13, 2008) (ESTA notice); 73 FR 32440 (June 9, 2008) (interim final rule implementing ESTA). E:\FR\FM\08APR1.SGM 08APR1 13796 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 67 / Monday, April 8, 2019 / Rules and Regulations than an assessment every two years) due to concerns not meeting several VWP requirements. In 2016, DHS extended Greece’s VWP designation on a provisional basis through March 31, 2017, to address concerns over migrant vetting, information-sharing gaps, and passport-issuance practices. Additionally, DHS reduced Greece’s ESTA validity period from two years to one year and committed Greece to implement five lines of effort specified in a Joint Statement in order to remove Greece from a provisional VWP status. In 2017, DHS sent correspondence to Greece defining a set of actions that would justify ESTA normalization. Greece has made successful progress in all five lines of effort and has completed all of the elements required for ESTA normalization that had been communicated in 2017. Greece has enacted necessary legislation to authorize issuance and replacement of national identification cards (biometric chip), expanded systematic refugee vetting at all migrant processing centers, and enacted Passenger Name Recognition (PNR) legislation to implement the EU PNR Directive. For these reasons, DHS is publishing this document announcing that it is increasing Greece’s ESTA validity period to two years. Claire Grady, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary, Department of Homeland Security. [FR Doc. 2019–06750 Filed 4–5–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 17 CFR Parts 229, 230, 232, 239, 240, 249, 270, 274, and 275 [Release No. 33–10618; 34–85381; IA–5206; IC–33426; File No. S7–08–17] RIN 3235–AM00 FAST Act Modernization and Simplification of Regulation S–K jbell on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES Correction In rule document 2019–05695, appearing on pages 12674 through 12738, in the issue of Tuesday, April 2, 2019, make the following corrections: 1. On page 12675, in the table, in the second column, in the tenth line from the top of the page, the text entry that reads ‘‘§ 249.218’’ should read ‘‘§ 249.220f’’. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:49 Apr 05, 2019 Jkt 247001 PART 249—FORMS, SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [Corrected] 2. On page 12729, in the second column, five asterisks (* * * * *) indicating the existence of text not listed and unchanged should appear above the text reading ‘‘INSTRUCTIONS AS TO EXHIBITS’’. ■ [FR Doc. C1–2019–05695 Filed 4–5–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1301–00–D DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration 21 CFR Part 1308 [Docket No. DEA–446] Schedules of Controlled Substances: Extension of Temporary Placement of 5F–ADB, 5F–AMB, 5F–APINACA, ADB– FUBINACA, MDMB–CHMICA and MDMB–FUBINACA in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice. ACTION: Temporary rule; temporary scheduling order; extension. AGENCY: The Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is issuing this temporary scheduling order to extend the temporary schedule I status of six synthetic cannabinoids (SC). The substances are: methyl 2-(1-(5fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate [5F–ADB; 5F–MDMB–PINACA]; methyl 2-(1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3carboxamido)-3-methylbutanoate [5F– AMB]; N-(adamantan-1-yl)-1-(5fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3carboxamide [5F–APINACA, 5F– AKB48]; N-(1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1Hindazole-3-carboxamide [ADB– FUBINACA]; methyl 2-(1(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indole-3carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate [MDMB–CHMICA, MMB–CHMINACA] and methyl 2-(1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1Hindazole-3-carboxamido)-3,3dimethylbutanoate [MDMB– FUBINACA], including their optical, positional and geometric isomers, salts, and salts of isomers. The schedule I status of 5F–ADB, 5F–AMB, 5F– APINACA, ADB–FUBINACA, MDMB– CHMICA and MDMB–FUBINACA will expire on April 10, 2019. This temporary order will extend the temporary scheduling of 5F–ADB, 5F– AMB, 5F–APINACA, ADB–FUBINACA, MDMB–CHMICA and MDMB– FUBINACA for one year or until the permanent scheduling action for these SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 six substances is completed, whichever occurs first. DATES: This temporary scheduling order, which extends the order (82 FR 17119, April 10, 2017), is effective April 10, 2019 and expires on April 10, 2020. If DEA publishes a final rule making this scheduling action permanent, this order will expire on the effective date of that rule, if the effective date is earlier than April 10, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynnette M. Wingert, Diversion Control Division, Drug Enforcement Administration; Mailing Address: 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, Virginia 22152; Telephone: (202) 598–6812. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background and Legal Authority On April 10, 2017, the Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published an order in the Federal Register (82 FR 17119) temporarily placing methyl 2-(1(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate [5F–ADB; 5F–MDMB–PINACA], methyl 2-(1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3carboxamido)-3-methylbutanoate [5F– AMB], N-(adamantan-1-yl)-1-(5fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3carboxamide [5F–APINACA, 5F– AKB48], N-(1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1Hindazole-3-carboxamide [ADB– FUBINACA], methyl 2-(1(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indole-3carboxamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoate [MDMB–CHMICA, MMB–CHMINACA] and methyl 2-(1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1Hindazole-3-carboxamido)-3,3dimethylbutanoate [MDMB– FUBINACA], synthetic cannabinoid (SC) substances, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) pursuant to the temporary scheduling provisions of 21 U.S.C. 811(h). That order was effective on the date of publication, and was based on findings by the Acting Administrator of the DEA that the temporary scheduling of these SCs was necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 811(h)(1). Section 201(h)(2) of the CSA, 21 U.S.C. 811(h)(2), requires that the temporary control of these substances expires two years from the effective date of the scheduling order, or on April 10, 2019. However, the CSA also provides that during the pendency of proceedings under 21 U.S.C. 811(a)(1) with respect to the substance, the temporary scheduling 1 of that substance 1 Though DEA has used the term ‘‘final order’’ with respect to temporary scheduling orders in the past, this notice adheres to the statutory language of 21 U.S.C. 811(h), which refers to a ‘‘temporary E:\FR\FM\08APR1.SGM 08APR1

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[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 67 (Monday, April 8, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13795-13796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-06750]



========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 67 / Monday, April 8, 2019 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 13795]]



DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

8 CFR Part 217


Greece Electronic System for Travel Authorization Validity Period

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary; DHS.

ACTION: Announcement of ESTA validity period.

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

SUMMARY: In 2016, DHS reduced Greece's Electronic System for Travel 
Authorization (ESTA) travel authorization validity period for travel by 
nationals of Greece under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) from two years 
to one year. The reduction was based on a 2015 VWP assessment of 
Greece, which had identified a number of shortcomings in satisfying VWP 
requirements. In November 2018, DHS re-evaluated Greece's progress to 
meet the requirements and determined that Greece has satisfied the 
requirements for normalizing Greece's ESTA validity period to two 
years. This document announces that DHS therefore is increasing 
Greece's ESTA validity period to two years.

DATES: This announcement is effective on April 8, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tamara Molina, Office of Strategy, 
Policy, and Plans, Department of Homeland Security, Visa Waiver Program 
Office, 3801 Nebraska Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016, Telephone (202) 
282-8044.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

A. The Visa Waiver Program

    Pursuant to section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
(INA), 8 U.S.C. 1187, the Secretary of Homeland Security (the 
Secretary), in consultation with the Secretary of State, may designate 
certain countries for participation in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if 
certain requirements are met. Those requirements include, without 
limitation: (1) A rate of nonimmigrant visitor visa refusals for 
nationals of the country below the statutorily-established threshold; 
(2) certification by the government seeking designation for VWP 
participation that it issues machine-readable passports that comply 
with internationally accepted standards; (3) a determination by the 
Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, that the 
country's designation would not negatively affect U.S. law enforcement 
and security interests; (4) an agreement to report, or make available 
through other designated means authorized by the Secretary, information 
about the theft or loss of passports to the U.S. government; (5) the 
country's government's acceptance for repatriation of any citizen, 
former citizen, or national not later than three weeks after the 
issuance of a final order of removal; and (6) an agreement with the 
United States to share information regarding whether citizens or 
nationals of the country travelling to the United States represent a 
threat to the security or welfare of the United States or its citizens. 
See INA section 1187(c), 8 U.S.C. 1187(c).
    The INA also sets forth requirements for countries' continued VWP 
eligibility and, where appropriate, probation or termination of program 
countries. See INA section 1187(c), (d) & (f); 8 U.S.C. 1187(c), (d) & 
(f).
    Citizens and eligible nationals of VWP countries may apply for 
admission to the United States at U.S. ports of entry as nonimmigrant 
visitors for business or pleasure for a period of ninety days or less 
without first obtaining a nonimmigrant visa, provided they are 
otherwise eligible for admission under applicable statutory and 
regulatory requirements. To travel to the United States under the VWP, 
an alien must be from a participating country and must, without 
limitation:
    (1) Be seeking entry as a visitor for business or pleasure for 
ninety days or less;
    (2) be a national of a VWP country;
    (3) present a valid electronic passport and a machine-readable 
passport issued by a designated VWP participant country to the air or 
vessel carrier before departure; \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ For countries designated as VWP countries prior to November 
17, 2008, passports issued before October 26, 2006, need not contain 
the electronic chip that includes the biographic and biometric 
information of the passport holder provided the passports comply 
with International Civil Aviation Organization machine readable 
standards. See 8 U.S.C. 1732(c)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) execute the required immigration forms;
    (5) if arriving by air or sea, arrive on an authorized carrier;
    (6) not represent a threat to the welfare, health, safety or 
security of the United States;
    (7) never have failed to comply with the conditions of any previous 
admission under the VWP;
    (8) possess a round-trip ticket;
    (9) waive the right to review or appeal a decision regarding 
admissibility at the port of entry or to contest, other than on the 
basis of an application for asylum, any action for removal; and
    (10) obtain an approved travel authorization via Electronic System 
for Travel Authorization (ESTA).\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ See 73 FR 67354 (Nov. 13, 2008) (ESTA notice); 73 FR 32440 
(June 9, 2008) (interim final rule implementing ESTA).

See INA section 217(a)-(b); 8 U.S.C. 1187(a)-(b). See also 8 CFR part 
217.
    Greece was designated for participation in the Visa Waiver Program 
on March 31, 2010. See 75 FR 15991.

B. ESTA Validity Period

    Typically, under DHS regulations, a travel authorization issued 
under ESTA is valid for a period of two years from the date of 
issuance. 8 CFR 217.5(d)(1). But the Secretary of Homeland Security, in 
consultation with the Secretary of State, may increase or decrease ESTA 
travel authorization validity period otherwise authorized by 
subparagraph (1) for a designated VWP country. See 8 CFR 217.5(d)(3). 
DHS typically publishes notice of any changes to ESTA travel 
authorization validity periods in the Federal Register.

C. Normalization of Greece's ESTA Validity Period

    DHS conducts a statutorily-required review of each VWP country at 
least once every two years to evaluate the effects that continuing the 
country's designation in the program will have on U.S. national 
security, law enforcement, and immigration enforcement interests. See 
INA section 217(c)(5)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1187(c)(5)(A). In January 2015, DHS 
placed Greece on provisional VWP status (pursuant to which Greece is 
subject to an annual assessment, rather

[[Page 13796]]

than an assessment every two years) due to concerns not meeting several 
VWP requirements. In 2016, DHS extended Greece's VWP designation on a 
provisional basis through March 31, 2017, to address concerns over 
migrant vetting, information-sharing gaps, and passport-issuance 
practices. Additionally, DHS reduced Greece's ESTA validity period from 
two years to one year and committed Greece to implement five lines of 
effort specified in a Joint Statement in order to remove Greece from a 
provisional VWP status.
    In 2017, DHS sent correspondence to Greece defining a set of 
actions that would justify ESTA normalization. Greece has made 
successful progress in all five lines of effort and has completed all 
of the elements required for ESTA normalization that had been 
communicated in 2017. Greece has enacted necessary legislation to 
authorize issuance and replacement of national identification cards 
(biometric chip), expanded systematic refugee vetting at all migrant 
processing centers, and enacted Passenger Name Recognition (PNR) 
legislation to implement the EU PNR Directive. For these reasons, DHS 
is publishing this document announcing that it is increasing Greece's 
ESTA validity period to two years.

Claire Grady,
Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary, 
Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2019-06750 Filed 4-5-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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