Department of State November 29, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On November 2, 2007, the State Department published in the Federal Register a final rule entitled Exchange Visitor Programs Sanctions and Terminations. The Department amended its regulations to add to and modify the existing actions for which the Department may sanction a sponsor. The change in the regulations will streamline the review process to offer sanctioned sponsors the procedural due process rights equal to those that the Administrative Procedure Act guarantees. In addition, the Rule eliminated summary suspension and modifies program suspension to halt the activities of a sponsor that has committed a serious act of omission or commission which has or could have the effect of endangering the health, safety, or welfare of an exchange visitor, or damage the national security interests of the United States. This rule is being withdrawn because it was submitted to OMB for formal significance designation; however, it was published prior to that determination being made. Since OMB's designation was that it is significant and they would like to formally review it, OMB has requested the rule to be withdrawn in its entirety.