Memorandum on Extending the Wind-Down Period for Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians, 19500-19501 [2020-07356]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 67 / Tuesday, April 7, 2020 / Notices
provides language interpretation in
numerous languages.
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 as described in the Form I–9
Instructions. Employers may not require
extra or additional documentation
beyond what is required for 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 Form I–9 differs from
records available to DHS.
Employers may not terminate,
suspend, delay training, withhold pay,
lower pay, or take any adverse action
against an employee because of the TNC
while the case is still pending with EVerify. A ‘‘Final Nonconfirmation’’
(FNC) case result is received when EVerify cannot confirm 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). For more
information about E-Verify-related
discrimination or to report an employer
for discrimination in the E-Verify
process based on citizenship,
immigration status, or national origin,
contact IER’s Worker Hotline at 800–
255–7688 (TTY 800–237–2515).
Additional information about proper
nondiscriminatory Form I–9 and EVerify procedures is available on the
IER website at www.justice.gov/ier and
the USCIS and E-verify websites at
www.uscis.gov/i-9-central and www.everify.gov.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Note Regarding Federal, State, and
Local Government Agencies (Such as
Departments of Motor Vehicles)
For Federal purposes, individuals
covered under DED for Liberians
presenting an EAD referenced in this
Federal Register notice do not need to
show any other document, such as an I–
797, Notice of Action, to prove that they
qualify for this extension. However,
while Federal Government agencies
must follow the guidelines laid out by
the Federal Government, state and local
government agencies establish their own
rules and guidelines when granting
certain benefits. Each state may have
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18:22 Apr 06, 2020
Jkt 250001
different laws, requirements, and
determinations about what documents
you need to 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 covered
under DED and/or show you are
authorized to work based on DED.
Examples of such documents are:
• Your current EAD;
• Your automatically extended EAD
with a copy of this Federal Register
notice, providing an automatic
extension of your EAD;
• A copy of the notice of approval of
your past Application for Temporary
Protected Status Form I–797, Notice of
Action, if you received one from USCIS,
coupled with a copy of the March 30,
2020, Presidential Memorandum
extending DED for Liberians; and/or
• A print-out from the USCIS DED
website that provides information on
the automatic extension. Such a printout could be coupled with your EAD or
with the Presidential Memorandum and
your USCIS notice of approval showing
that you had TPS as of September 30,
2007.
Check with the government agency
regarding which document(s) the agency
will accept. Some benefit-granting
agencies use the SAVE program to
confirm the current immigration status
of applicants for public benefits. While
SAVE can verify when an individual
has DED, each agency’s procedures
govern whether they will accept an
automatically extended DED-related
EAD. You should:
a. Present the agency with a copy of
this Federal Register notice showing the
extension of DED and of your DEDrelated EAD with your alien number;
b. Explain that SAVE will be able to
verify the continuation of your DED
using this information; and
c. Ask the agency to initiate a SAVE
query with your information and follow
through with additional verification
steps, if necessary, to get a final SAVE
response confirming your DED.
You can also ask the agency to look
for SAVE notices or contact SAVE if
they have any questions about your
immigration status or automatic
extension of your DED-related EAD. In
most cases, SAVE provides an
automated electronic response to
benefit-granting agencies within
seconds, but, occasionally, verification
can be delayed. You can check the
status of your SAVE verification by
using CaseCheck at save.uscis.gov/
casecheck/, then by clicking the ‘‘Check
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Frm 00079
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Your Case’’ button. CaseCheck is a free
service that lets you follow the progress
of your SAVE verification using your
date of birth and one immigration
identifier number. 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 appointment for an inperson interview at a local USCIS office.
Detailed information on how to make
corrections or update your immigration
record, make an appointment, or submit
a written request to correct records
under the Freedom of Information Act
can be found on the SAVE website at
www.uscis.gov/save.
Joseph Edlow,
Deputy Director for Policy, U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services.
[FR Doc. 2020–07355 Filed 4–3–20; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 9111–97–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services
Memorandum on Extending the WindDown Period for Deferred Enforced
Departure for Liberians
U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS),
Department of Homeland Security
(DHS).
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Notice.
A ‘‘Memorandum on Extending the
Wind-Down Period for Deferred
Enforced Departure for Liberians’’ was
issued by President Trump on March
30, 2020. The President determined that
it is in the foreign policy interests of the
United States to extend the Deferred
Enforced Departure (DED) wind-down
period for Liberians through January 10,
2021. The President directed the
Secretary of Homeland Security to
extend the DED wind-down period for
eligible Liberians currently covered
under DED and to provide for continued
work authorization through January 10,
2021. The President further authorized
and directed the Secretary of Homeland
Security to publish this memorandum
E:\FR\FM\07APN1.SGM
07APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 67 / Tuesday, April 7, 2020 / Notices
in the Federal Register. The text of the
memorandum is set out below.
Joseph Edlow,
Deputy Director for Policy, U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Memorandum on Extending the WindDown Period for Deferred Enforced
Departure for Liberians
Since March 1991, certain Liberian
nationals and persons without
nationality who last habitually resided
in Liberia (collectively, ‘‘Liberians’’)
have been eligible for either Temporary
Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred
Enforced Departure (DED), allowing
them to remain in the United States
when they would otherwise be
removable.
In a memorandum dated March 27,
2018, I determined that although
conditions in Liberia had improved and
no longer warranted a further extension
of DED, the foreign policy interests of
the United States warranted affording an
orderly transition (‘‘wind-down’’)
period to Liberian DED beneficiaries. In
a memorandum dated March 28, 2019,
I determined that an additional 12month wind-down period was
appropriate. By the terms of my
memorandum, the wind-down period
expires on March 30, 2020. In making
my determination, I noted that there
were efforts underway by Members of
Congress to provide legislative relief for
Liberian DED beneficiaries, and that
extending the wind-down period would
give the Congress time to consider the
propriety of enacting such legislation.
On December 20, 2019, I signed the
National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2020 (Pub. L. 116–92)
(NDAA), which included as section
7611, the Liberian Refugee Immigration
Fairness (LRIF) provision. The LRIF
provision provides certain Liberians,
including those who have been
continuously present in the United
States since November 20, 2014, as well
as their spouses and children who meet
the criteria of the provision, the ability
to apply to adjust their status to that of
United States lawful permanent resident
(LPR). Eligible Liberian nationals have
until December 20, 2020, to apply for
adjustment of status under the LRIF
provision.
The LRIF provision, however, did not
provide for continued employment
authorization past the expiration of the
existing DED wind-down period. Once
the DED wind-down period expires,
most covered Liberians will have no
basis upon which to renew or maintain
employment authorization before
applying to adjust their status.
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18:22 Apr 06, 2020
Jkt 250001
I have, therefore, determined that it is
in the foreign policy interests of the
United States to extend the DED winddown period for current Liberian DED
beneficiaries through January 10, 2021,
to facilitate uninterrupted work
authorization for those currently in the
United States under DED who are
eligible to apply for LPR status under
the LRIF provision.
The relationship between the United
States and Liberia is unique. Former
African-American slaves were among
those who founded the modern state of
Liberia in 1847. Since that date, the
United States has sought to honor,
through bilateral diplomatic
partnership, the sacrifices of individuals
who suffered grievous wrongs in the
United States, but who were determined
to build a modern African democracy
mirroring America’s representative
political institutions. As President, I am
conscious of this special bond.
Providing those Liberians for whom we
have long authorized temporary status
or deferred enforced departure in the
United States, and for whom the
Congress has now provided the ability
to adjust status to that of lawful
permanent resident, with the ability to
continue to work to support themselves
while they complete the process to
adjust their status, honors the historic,
close relationship between our two
countries and is in the foreign policy
interests of the United States.
Pursuant to my constitutional
authority to conduct the foreign
relations of the United States, I hereby
direct the Secretary of Homeland
Security to take appropriate measures to
accomplish the following:
(1) A continuation of the DED wind
down period through January 10, 2021,
during which current Liberian DED
beneficiaries who satisfy the description
below may remain in the United States;
and
(2) As part of that wind-down,
continued authorization for
employment through January 10, 2021,
for current Liberian DED beneficiaries
who satisfy the description below.
This further extension of the winddown of DED and continued
authorization for employment through
January 10, 2021, shall apply to any
current Liberian DED beneficiary, but
shall not apply to Liberians in the
following categories:
(1) Individuals who would be
ineligible for TPS for reasons set forth
in section 244(c)(2)(B) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1254a(c)(2)(B));
(2) Individuals who sought or seek
LPR status under the LRIF provision but
whose applications have been or are
PO 00000
Frm 00080
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
19501
denied by the Secretary of Homeland
Security;
(3) Individuals whose removal the
Secretary of Homeland Security
determines to be in the interest of the
United States, subject to the LRIF
provision;
(4) Individuals whose presence or
activities in the United States the
Secretary of State has reasonable
grounds to believe would have
potentially serious adverse foreign
policy consequences for the United
States;
(5) Individuals who have voluntarily
returned to Liberia or their country of
last habitual residence outside the
United States beyond the timeframe
specified in subsection (c) of the LRIF
provision;
(6) Individuals who were deported,
excluded, or removed before the date of
this memorandum; or
(7) Individuals who are subject to
extradition.
The Secretary of Homeland Security
is authorized and directed to publish
this memorandum in the Federal
Register.
Donald J. Trump
[FR Doc. 2020–07356 Filed 4–3–20; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 9111–97–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services
[OMB Control Number 1615–0121]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Extension, Without Change,
of a Currently Approved Collection:
Generic Clearance for the Collection of
Qualitative Feedback on Agency
Service Delivery
U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services, Department of
Homeland Security.
ACTION: 60-Day notice; correction.
AGENCY:
The Department of Homeland
Security, U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) published
a document in the Federal Register of
April 1, 2020 requesting public
comments in connection with the
collection of information titled Generic
Clearance of Qualitative Feedback on
Agency Service Delivery in accordance
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995. USCIS incorrectly identified both
the Docket Identification (Docket ID)
and the Office of Management and
Budget Control Number in the ADDRESS
section of the original Notice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\07APN1.SGM
07APN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 67 (Tuesday, April 7, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19500-19501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07356]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Memorandum on Extending the Wind-Down Period for Deferred
Enforced Departure for Liberians
AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department
of Homeland Security (DHS).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
A ``Memorandum on Extending the Wind-Down Period for Deferred
Enforced Departure for Liberians'' was issued by President Trump on
March 30, 2020. The President determined that it is in the foreign
policy interests of the United States to extend the Deferred Enforced
Departure (DED) wind-down period for Liberians through January 10,
2021. The President directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to
extend the DED wind-down period for eligible Liberians currently
covered under DED and to provide for continued work authorization
through January 10, 2021. The President further authorized and directed
the Secretary of Homeland Security to publish this memorandum
[[Page 19501]]
in the Federal Register. The text of the memorandum is set out below.
Joseph Edlow,
Deputy Director for Policy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Memorandum on Extending the Wind-Down Period for Deferred Enforced
Departure for Liberians
Since March 1991, certain Liberian nationals and persons without
nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia (collectively,
``Liberians'') have been eligible for either Temporary Protected Status
(TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), allowing them to remain in
the United States when they would otherwise be removable.
In a memorandum dated March 27, 2018, I determined that although
conditions in Liberia had improved and no longer warranted a further
extension of DED, the foreign policy interests of the United States
warranted affording an orderly transition (``wind-down'') period to
Liberian DED beneficiaries. In a memorandum dated March 28, 2019, I
determined that an additional 12-month wind-down period was
appropriate. By the terms of my memorandum, the wind-down period
expires on March 30, 2020. In making my determination, I noted that
there were efforts underway by Members of Congress to provide
legislative relief for Liberian DED beneficiaries, and that extending
the wind-down period would give the Congress time to consider the
propriety of enacting such legislation.
On December 20, 2019, I signed the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Pub. L. 116-92) (NDAA), which included as
section 7611, the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF)
provision. The LRIF provision provides certain Liberians, including
those who have been continuously present in the United States since
November 20, 2014, as well as their spouses and children who meet the
criteria of the provision, the ability to apply to adjust their status
to that of United States lawful permanent resident (LPR). Eligible
Liberian nationals have until December 20, 2020, to apply for
adjustment of status under the LRIF provision.
The LRIF provision, however, did not provide for continued
employment authorization past the expiration of the existing DED wind-
down period. Once the DED wind-down period expires, most covered
Liberians will have no basis upon which to renew or maintain employment
authorization before applying to adjust their status.
I have, therefore, determined that it is in the foreign policy
interests of the United States to extend the DED wind-down period for
current Liberian DED beneficiaries through January 10, 2021, to
facilitate uninterrupted work authorization for those currently in the
United States under DED who are eligible to apply for LPR status under
the LRIF provision.
The relationship between the United States and Liberia is unique.
Former African-American slaves were among those who founded the modern
state of Liberia in 1847. Since that date, the United States has sought
to honor, through bilateral diplomatic partnership, the sacrifices of
individuals who suffered grievous wrongs in the United States, but who
were determined to build a modern African democracy mirroring America's
representative political institutions. As President, I am conscious of
this special bond. Providing those Liberians for whom we have long
authorized temporary status or deferred enforced departure in the
United States, and for whom the Congress has now provided the ability
to adjust status to that of lawful permanent resident, with the ability
to continue to work to support themselves while they complete the
process to adjust their status, honors the historic, close relationship
between our two countries and is in the foreign policy interests of the
United States.
Pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct the foreign
relations of the United States, I hereby direct the Secretary of
Homeland Security to take appropriate measures to accomplish the
following:
(1) A continuation of the DED wind down period through January 10,
2021, during which current Liberian DED beneficiaries who satisfy the
description below may remain in the United States; and
(2) As part of that wind-down, continued authorization for
employment through January 10, 2021, for current Liberian DED
beneficiaries who satisfy the description below.
This further extension of the wind-down of DED and continued
authorization for employment through January 10, 2021, shall apply to
any current Liberian DED beneficiary, but shall not apply to Liberians
in the following categories:
(1) Individuals who would be ineligible for TPS for reasons set
forth in section 244(c)(2)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1254a(c)(2)(B));
(2) Individuals who sought or seek LPR status under the LRIF
provision but whose applications have been or are denied by the
Secretary of Homeland Security;
(3) Individuals whose removal the Secretary of Homeland Security
determines to be in the interest of the United States, subject to the
LRIF provision;
(4) Individuals whose presence or activities in the United States
the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe would have
potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United
States;
(5) Individuals who have voluntarily returned to Liberia or their
country of last habitual residence outside the United States beyond the
timeframe specified in subsection (c) of the LRIF provision;
(6) Individuals who were deported, excluded, or removed before the
date of this memorandum; or
(7) Individuals who are subject to extradition.
The Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized and directed to
publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
Donald J. Trump
[FR Doc. 2020-07356 Filed 4-3-20; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 9111-97-P