Department of Homeland Security May 16, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Montlake Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, mile 5.2, at Seattle, WA. The deviation is necessary to accommodate the University of Washington, and University of Washington Bothell commencement ceremony traffic. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position to accommodate the timely movement of vehicular traffic.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection notice was previously published in the Federal Register on February 2, 2016, at 81 FR 5474, allowing for a 60-day public comment period. USCIS did receive 1 comment in connection with the 60-day notice.

This document announces that the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) will be the sole electronic data interchange (EDI) system authorized by the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for processing electronic entries and entry summaries associated with the entry types specified in this notice, for merchandise that is subject to the import requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This document also announces that the Automated Commercial System (ACS) will no longer be a CBP-authorized EDI system for purposes of processing these electronic filings.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a special local regulation on the waters of the Beaufort River, Beaufort, South Carolina, during the Beaufort Water Festival on July 23, 2016. This action is necessary to ensure safety of life on navigable waters of the United States during the Beaufort Water Festival Air Show. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the upper deck of the Steel Bridge, mile 12.1, and the Burnside Bridge, mile 12.4, both crossing the Willamette River, at Portland, OR. The deviation is necessary to accommodate the annual Rose Festival Parade event, which crosses the Steel Bridge and Burnside Bridge. This deviation allows the upper deck of the Steel Bridge and Burnside Bridge to remain in the closed-to- navigation position and need not open for marine traffic to allow for the safe movement of event participants.

Through this Notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of Nicaragua for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from July 6, 2016 through January 5, 2018. The extension allows currently eligible TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through January 5, 2018, so long as they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. The Secretary has determined that an extension is warranted because conditions in Nicaragua supporting its designation for TPS continue to be met. Through this Notice, DHS also sets forth procedures necessary for eligible nationals of Nicaragua (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nicaragua) to re-register for TPS and to apply for renewal of their Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Re-registration is limited to persons who have previously registered for TPS under the designation of Nicaragua and whose applications have been granted. Certain nationals of Nicaragua (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nicaragua) who have not previously applied for TPS may be eligible to apply under the late initial registration provisions if they meet (1) at least one of the late initial filing criteria, and (2) all TPS eligibility criteria (including continuous residence in the United States since December 30, 1998, and continuous physical presence in the United States since January 5, 1999). For individuals who have already been granted TPS under Nicaragua's designation, the 60-day re-registration period runs from May 16, 2016 through July 15, 2016. USCIS will issue new EADs with a January 5, 2018, expiration date to eligible Nicaragua TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs under this extension. Given the timeframes involved with processing TPS re-registration applications, DHS recognizes that not all re-registrants will receive new EADs before their current EADs expire on July 5, 2016. Accordingly, through this Notice, DHS automatically extends the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of Nicaragua for 6 months, through January 5, 2017, and explains how TPS beneficiaries and their employers may determine which EADs are automatically extended and the impact on Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) and the E-Verify processes.