Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking To File H-1B Petitions on Behalf of Cap-Subject Aliens, 1176-1177 [2020-00182]

Download as PDF 1176 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 6 / Thursday, January 9, 2020 / Notices State and county Washoe .......... Ohio: Warren ......... Location and case No. Chief executive officer of community Community map repository Unincorporated Areas of Washoe County (19–09– 1298P). The Honorable Vaughn Hartung, Chairman, Board of Commissioners, Washoe County, 1001 East 9th Street, Building A, Reno, NV 89512. The Honorable Amy Brewer, Mayor, City of Lebanon, City Hall, 50 South Broadway, Lebanon, OH 45036. Washoe County Administration Building, Department of Public Works, 1001 East 9th Street, Reno, NV 89512. https://msc.fema.gov/portal/ advanceSearch. Mar. 12, 2020 .... 320019 City Hall, 50 South Broadway, Lebanon, OH 45036. https://msc.fema.gov/portal/ advanceSearch. Mar. 30, 2020 .... 390557 City of Lebanon (19–05– 5135P). Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, by mail at 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20529–2060; or by phone at 202 272–8377. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: [FR Doc. 2020–00183 Filed 1–8–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–12–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services I. Background on H–1B Registration [CIS No. 2650–19; DHS Docket No. USCIS– 2019–0014] RIN 1615–ZB82 Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking To File H–1B Petitions on Behalf of Cap-Subject Aliens U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is announcing the implementation of the H–1B registration process for H–1B capsubject petitions. The initial H–1B petition registration period will begin on March 1, 2020. Starting on that date, USCIS will require H–1B cap-subject petitioners, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, to first register electronically with USCIS and pay the associated H–1B registration fee before being eligible to properly file an H–1B cap-subject petition for the Fiscal Year 2021 H–1B numerical allocations. USCIS intends to close the initial registration period on March 20, 2020 and will announce the actual end date on its website. After the initial registration period closes, USCIS will conduct the initial selection process, and petitioners with selected registrations will be eligible to file an H–1B cap-subject petition for those selected registrations during the associated filing period. DATES: This notice is effective on January 9, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Nimick, Chief, Business and Foreign Workers Division, Office of lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:20 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 250001 Online location of letter of map revision On January 31, 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule 1 requiring petitioners seeking to file H–1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, to first electronically register with USCIS during a designated registration period, unless the requirement is suspended (‘‘H–1B registration final rule’’). See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(1). In the final rule, DHS announced that USCIS was suspending the registration requirement for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 cap season to complete all requisite user testing of the new H–1B registration system and otherwise ensure the system and process are operable. DHS has completed all requisite user testing and is implementing the registration process in advance of the H–1B cap season for FY 2021. DHS stated in the H–1B registration final rule that it will publish a notice in the Federal Register to announce the initial implementation of the registration process before the first H– 1B cap season that would use the process. Once USCIS implements the registration process, it will announce subsequent registration periods for each fiscal year on its website. On November 8, 2019, DHS published a final rule amending its regulations to require a $10 fee for each registration submitted for the H–1B cap selection process. See 8 CFR 103.7(b)(1)(i)(NNN). II. Participation in Registration As explained in the H–1B registration final rule, before a petitioner can file an H–1B cap-subject petition, including those eligible for the advanced degree 1 See PO 00000 84 FR 888 (Jan. 31, 2019). Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Date of modification Community No. exemption, the petitioner must first electronically register with USCIS. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(1). USCIS will not consider an H–1B capsubject petition to be properly filed unless it is based on a valid registration selection for the applicable fiscal year. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(1) and (D). III. When To Register The initial registration period will start March 1, 2020. USCIS intends to close the initial registration period on March 20, 2020 and will announce the actual end date of the initial registration period on its website at www.uscis.gov pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(3). If USCIS determines at the end of the initial registration period that an insufficient number of registrations have been received, USCIS will determine the final registration date once it has received the number of registrations projected as needed to reach the numerical allocations. If USCIS determines that it is necessary to reopen the registration period, USCIS will announce the start of the re-opened registration period on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(3) and (7). IV. How To Register Petitioners must register using an online account. USCIS will provide step-by-step instructions on its website at www.uscis.gov. Employers and authorized representatives may start setting up their registration accounts in advance of the registration period opening. USCIS will post the date that employers and authorized representatives may start setting up accounts on its website. Employers and authorized representatives will be able to continue to set up accounts during the registration period and may immediately use those accounts to register. They may also set up accounts after the registration period to use for later years. A petitioner or its authorized representative must electronically submit a separate registration request E:\FR\FM\09JAN1.SGM 09JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 6 / Thursday, January 9, 2020 / Notices naming each individual it seeks to petition for a cap-subject H–1B. Petitioners will be able to register multiple individuals in a single online session. The electronic system will allow for a filer to prepare, edit and store the record in their account prior to final payment and submission. A petitioner may only submit one registration per beneficiary in any fiscal year. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(2). If a petitioner submits more than one registration for the same beneficiary in the same fiscal year, USCIS will consider all registrations filed by that petitioner for that beneficiary for that fiscal year invalid. Id. V. Registration Selection USCIS will send notices electronically to all registrants with selected registrations that they are eligible to file an H–1B cap-subject petition on behalf of the individual named in the notice within the filing period indicated on the notice. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(C). The notifications will be added to registration accounts. The account holder who submitted the selected registration will receive notification via email or text message stating that an action has been added to their account, and they will have to log in to see the full notice. USCIS intends to notify registrants with selected registrations from the initial registration period no later than March 31, 2020. Chad F. Wolf, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 2020–00182 Filed 1–8–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111–97–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2019–0104; FXES11140800000–201] Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of an Incidental Take Permit Application and Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Coastal California Gnatcatcher; Sunrise Project, City of San Marcos, San Diego County, California Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application for an incidental permit to take the federally listed coastal California gnatcatcher, a bird species, under the Endangered Species Act. The SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:20 Jan 08, 2020 Jkt 250001 permit application includes a proposed low-effect habitat conservation plan (HCP). In accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), we have prepared a draft low-effect screening form and environmental action statement supporting our preliminary determination that the proposed action qualifies as a categorical exclusion under NEPA. We are accepting comments on the permit application, proposed low-effect HCP, and draft NEPA compliance documentation. DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments on or before February 10, 2020. ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: The documents this notice announces, as well as any comments and other materials that we receive, will be available for public inspection online in Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2019–0104 at https://www.regulations.gov. Submitting Comments: You may submit comments by one of the following methods: • Online: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS–R8–ES– 2019–0104. • U.S. Mail or Hand-Delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2019–0104; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2177 Salk Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008. We request that you send comments by only one of the methods described above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Zoutendyk, Division Chief, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 760– 431–9440. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), please call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 800–877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), received an application from Sunrise Gardens Project Owner LLC (applicant) for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The requested permit would authorize take of the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), incidental to grading, subdividing, and developing approximately 192 multi-family dwelling units, and open space, active recreational areas, bio-retention areas, circulation improvements, and a public services and facilities plan on approximately 15.51 acres in San Diego County, California. The proposed project will impact an estimated 6.52 acres of coastal sage PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1177 scrub habitat occupied by up to one pair of gnatcatchers. Although not likely to support breeding of the species, 5.90 acres of non-native wild oat grassland and 2.94 acres of disturbed habitat will also be permanently impacted and may support gnatcatcher feeding and sheltering. We are requesting comments on the permit application and on our preliminary determination that the proposed HCP qualifies as a low-effect HCP, eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The basis for this determination is discussed in our draft low-effect screening form and environmental action statement, which is also available for public review. Project The project is located on a 15.51-acre site in the City of San Marcos (Assessor’s Parcel Number [APN] 228– 312–9–00, approximately 3.6 acres), County of San Diego (APN 228312–0– 00, approximately 10.8 acres), and City of Escondido (APN 228–312–04, approximately 1.07 acres) in San Diego County, California; however, the entire project site is within the General Plan Sphere of Influence for the City of San Marcos. The applicant requests a 5-year incidental take permit for permanent impacts to 15.36 acres of occupied gnatcatcher habitat. The applicant proposes to mitigate impacts through the purchase of mitigation credits to conserve 20.03 acres of gnatcatcheroccupied coastal sage scrub habitat (17.13 acres) and southern mixed chaparral habitat (2.90 acres) off site at the Onyx Ridge property in an unincorporated portion of northern San Diego County. The off-site mitigation area provides higher quality habitat than that found on the project site and will be conserved, managed, and monitored in perpetuity. In addition, a portion of the off-site mitigation area is within designated gnatcatcher critical habitat. The applicant’s proposed HCP also contains measures to minimize the effects of construction activities on the gnatcatcher, including the following: • Fencing the project limits; • Not clearing gnatcatcher habitat during the nesting season; • Providing a staff biologist on site to ensure that gnatcatchers are not in the vegetation to be cleared; and • Monitoring and reporting to the Service upon project completion. Our Preliminary Determination The Service has made a preliminary determination that the project, including grading, subdividing, E:\FR\FM\09JAN1.SGM 09JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 6 (Thursday, January 9, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1176-1177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-00182]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

[CIS No. 2650-19; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2019-0014]
RIN 1615-ZB82


Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking To File H-1B 
Petitions on Behalf of Cap-Subject Aliens

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is 
announcing the implementation of the H-1B registration process for H-1B 
cap-subject petitions. The initial H-1B petition registration period 
will begin on March 1, 2020. Starting on that date, USCIS will require 
H-1B cap-subject petitioners, including those eligible for the advanced 
degree exemption, to first register electronically with USCIS and pay 
the associated H-1B registration fee before being eligible to properly 
file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the Fiscal Year 2021 H-1B 
numerical allocations. USCIS intends to close the initial registration 
period on March 20, 2020 and will announce the actual end date on its 
website. After the initial registration period closes, USCIS will 
conduct the initial selection process, and petitioners with selected 
registrations will be eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for 
those selected registrations during the associated filing period.

DATES: This notice is effective on January 9, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Nimick, Chief, Business and 
Foreign Workers Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. 
Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland 
Security, by mail at 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20529-
2060; or by phone at 202 272-8377.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background on H-1B Registration

    On January 31, 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 
published a final rule \1\ requiring petitioners seeking to file H-1B 
cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree 
exemption, to first electronically register with USCIS during a 
designated registration period, unless the requirement is suspended 
(``H-1B registration final rule''). See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(1). 
In the final rule, DHS announced that USCIS was suspending the 
registration requirement for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 cap season to 
complete all requisite user testing of the new H-1B registration system 
and otherwise ensure the system and process are operable. DHS has 
completed all requisite user testing and is implementing the 
registration process in advance of the H-1B cap season for FY 2021.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See 84 FR 888 (Jan. 31, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DHS stated in the H-1B registration final rule that it will publish 
a notice in the Federal Register to announce the initial implementation 
of the registration process before the first H-1B cap season that would 
use the process. Once USCIS implements the registration process, it 
will announce subsequent registration periods for each fiscal year on 
its website.
    On November 8, 2019, DHS published a final rule amending its 
regulations to require a $10 fee for each registration submitted for 
the H-1B cap selection process. See 8 CFR 103.7(b)(1)(i)(NNN).

II. Participation in Registration

    As explained in the H-1B registration final rule, before a 
petitioner can file an H-1B cap-subject petition, including those 
eligible for the advanced degree exemption, the petitioner must first 
electronically register with USCIS. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(1).
    USCIS will not consider an H-1B cap-subject petition to be properly 
filed unless it is based on a valid registration selection for the 
applicable fiscal year. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(1) and (D).

III. When To Register

    The initial registration period will start March 1, 2020. USCIS 
intends to close the initial registration period on March 20, 2020 and 
will announce the actual end date of the initial registration period on 
its website at www.uscis.gov pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(3). 
If USCIS determines at the end of the initial registration period that 
an insufficient number of registrations have been received, USCIS will 
determine the final registration date once it has received the number 
of registrations projected as needed to reach the numerical 
allocations. If USCIS determines that it is necessary to re-open the 
registration period, USCIS will announce the start of the re-opened 
registration period on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov. See 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(3) and (7).

IV. How To Register

    Petitioners must register using an online account. USCIS will 
provide step-by-step instructions on its website at www.uscis.gov.
    Employers and authorized representatives may start setting up their 
registration accounts in advance of the registration period opening. 
USCIS will post the date that employers and authorized representatives 
may start setting up accounts on its website. Employers and authorized 
representatives will be able to continue to set up accounts during the 
registration period and may immediately use those accounts to register. 
They may also set up accounts after the registration period to use for 
later years. A petitioner or its authorized representative must 
electronically submit a separate registration request

[[Page 1177]]

naming each individual it seeks to petition for a cap-subject H-1B. 
Petitioners will be able to register multiple individuals in a single 
online session. The electronic system will allow for a filer to 
prepare, edit and store the record in their account prior to final 
payment and submission. A petitioner may only submit one registration 
per beneficiary in any fiscal year. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(2). 
If a petitioner submits more than one registration for the same 
beneficiary in the same fiscal year, USCIS will consider all 
registrations filed by that petitioner for that beneficiary for that 
fiscal year invalid. Id.

V. Registration Selection

    USCIS will send notices electronically to all registrants with 
selected registrations that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-
subject petition on behalf of the individual named in the notice within 
the filing period indicated on the notice. See 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(8)(iii)(C). The notifications will be added to registration 
accounts. The account holder who submitted the selected registration 
will receive notification via email or text message stating that an 
action has been added to their account, and they will have to log in to 
see the full notice. USCIS intends to notify registrants with selected 
registrations from the initial registration period no later than March 
31, 2020.

Chad F. Wolf,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-00182 Filed 1-8-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9111-97-P
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