Department of Homeland Security March 22, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On December 23, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (``DHS'') and the Department of Justice (``DOJ'') (collectively, ``the Departments'') published a final rule (``Security Bars rule'') to clarify that the ``danger to the security of the United States'' standard in the statutory bar to eligibility for asylum and withholding of removal encompasses certain emergency public health concerns and to make certain other changes; that rule was scheduled to take effect on January 22, 2021. As of January 21, 2021, the Departments delayed the rule's effective date for 60 days to March 22, 2021. In this rule, the Departments are further extending and delaying the rule's effective date to December 31, 2021. In addition, in light of evolving information regarding the best approaches to mitigating the spread of communicable disease, the Departments are also considering action to rescind or revise the Security Bars rule. The Departments are seeking public comment on whether that rule represents an effective way to protect public health while reducing barriers for noncitizens seeking forms of protection in the United States, or whether the Security Bars rule should be revised or revoked.

Comments are requested on proposed flood hazard determinations, which may include additions or modifications of any Base Flood Elevation (BFE), base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundary or zone designation, or regulatory floodway on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports for the communities listed in the table below. The purpose of this notice is to seek general information and comment regarding the preliminary FIRM, and where applicable, the FIS report that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided to the affected communities. The FIRM and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In addition, the FIRM and FIS report, once effective, will be used by insurance agents and others to calculate appropriate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and the contents of those buildings.

This notice lists communities where the addition or modification of Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or the regulatory floodway (hereinafter referred to as flood hazard determinations), as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports, prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for each community, is appropriate because of new scientific or technical data. The FIRM, and where applicable, portions of the FIS report, have been revised to reflect these flood hazard determinations through issuance of a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), in accordance with Federal Regulations. The LOMR will be used by insurance agents and others to calculate appropriate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and the contents of those buildings. For rating purposes, the currently effective community number is shown in the table below and must be used for all new policies and renewals.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Texas (FEMA-4586-DR), dated February 19, 2021, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Texas (FEMA-4586-DR), dated February 19, 2021, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Washington (FEMA-4584-DR), dated February 4, 2021, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the Navajo Nation (FEMA-4582-DR), dated February 2, 2021, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana (FEMA-4577-DR), dated January 12, 2021, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana (FEMA-4570-DR), dated October 16, 2020, and related determinations.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is giving concurrent notice of a modified and reissued system of records pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 for the ``DHS/U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)-018 Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism System of Records,'' and this proposed rulemaking. In this proposed rulemaking, the Department and CBP proposes to exempt portions of the system of records from one or more provisions of the Privacy Act because of criminal, civil, and administrative enforcement requirements.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to establish a new DHS system of records titled, ``DHS/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-015 Fraud Investigations System of Records.'' This system of records allows DHS/FEMA to collect and maintain records on individuals who are being investigated for or involved in an investigation relating to the misuse of federal disaster funds and/or benefits. This system of records further assists FEMA's Fraud Investigations and Inspections Division (FIID) recordkeeping; tracking and managing fraud inquiries, investigative referrals, and law enforcement requests; and case determinations involving disaster funds and/or benefits fraud, criminal activity, public safety, and national security concerns. Additionally, DHS is issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to exempt this system of records from certain provisions of the Privacy Act, elsewhere in the Federal Register.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is giving concurrent notice of a newly established system of records pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 for the ``DHS/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)-018 Analytical Records System of Records'' and this proposed rulemaking. In this proposed rulemaking, the Department proposes to exempt portions of the system of records from one or more provisions of the Privacy Act because of criminal, civil, and administrative enforcement requirements.