81 FR 62520 - Extension of and Addition to Employment Authorization for Syrian F-1 Nonimmigrant Students Experiencing Severe Economic Hardship as a Direct Result of Civil Unrest in Syria Since March 2011

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 175 (September 9, 2016)

Page Range		62520-62521
FR Document		2016-21525

This notice informs the public of the extension of and addition to an earlier notice, which suspended certain requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Syria and who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the civil unrest in Syria since March 2011. This notice extends the effective date of that notice and expands the application of such suspension to students whose country of citizenship is Syria and who lawfully obtained F-1 nonimmigrant student status between the date of the original notice and September 9, 2016.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 175 (Friday, September 9, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 175 (Friday, September 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62520-62521]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21525]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[DHS Docket No. ICEB- 2013-0001]
RIN 1653-ZA10

Extension of and Addition to Employment Authorization for Syrian
F-1 Nonimmigrant Students Experiencing Severe Economic Hardship as a
Direct Result of Civil Unrest in Syria Since March 2011

AGENCY: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice informs the public of the extension of and
addition to an earlier notice, which suspended certain requirements for
F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Syria and who
are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the
civil unrest in Syria since March 2011. This notice extends the
effective date of that notice and expands the application of such
suspension to students whose country of citizenship is Syria and who
lawfully obtained F-1 nonimmigrant student status between the date of
the original notice and September 9, 2016.

DATES: This notice is effective September 9, 2016 and will remain in
effect until March 31, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louis Farrell, Director, Student and
Exchange Visitor Program, MS 5600, U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, 500 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20536-5600; email:
sevp@ice.dhs.gov, telephone: (703) 603-3400. This is not a toll-free
number. Program information can be found at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

What action is DHS taking under this notice?

The Secretary of Homeland Security is exercising his authority
under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9) to extend the suspension of the applicability
of certain requirements governing on-campus and off-campus employment
for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Syria and
who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the
civil unrest in Syria since March 2011. See 77 FR 20038 (April 3,
2012). This notice also suspends these same regulatory requirements for
students whose country of citizenship is Syria and who lawfully
obtained F-1 nonimmigrant student status between the date of the
original notice and September 9, 2016. The original notice was
effective from April 3, 2012 until October 3, 2013. A subsequent notice
provided for an 18-month extension from October 3, 2013, through March
31, 2015. See 78 FR 36211 (June 17, 2013). A third notice provided
another 18-month extension from March 31, 2015, through September 30,
2016. See 80 FR 232 (January 5, 2015). Effective with this publication,
suspension of the employment limitations is extended for 18 months from
September 30, 2016, until March 31, 2018. This publication also
suspends the applicability of the same regulatory requirements in 8 CFR
214.2(f)(9) for students who meet the requirements contained in the
notice below as of September 9, 2016.
F-1 nonimmigrant students granted employment authorization through
the notice will continue to be deemed to be engaged in a ``full course
of study'' for the duration of their employment authorization, provided
they satisfy the minimum course load requirement described in 77 FR
20038. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F).

Who is covered under this action?

This notice applies exclusively to F-1 nonimmigrant students whose
country of citizenship is Syria and who were lawfully present in the
United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on or after April 3, 2012,
through September 9, 2016 under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i); and
are--
(1) Enrolled in an institution that is Student and Exchange Visitor
Program (SEVP)-certified for enrollment of F-1 students,
(2) Currently maintaining F-1 status, and
(3) Experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the
ongoing civil unrest in Syria since March 2011.
ICE records show that as of August 2016, there are approximately
700 Syrian F-1 Visa holders in active status who would be covered by
this notice. This notice applies to both undergraduate and graduate
students, as well as elementary school, middle school, and high school
students. The notice, however, applies differently to elementary
school, middle school, and high school students (see the discussion
published at 77 FR 20040, available at http://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-04-03/pdf/2012-7960.pdf, in the question, ``Does this notice apply
to elementary school, middle school, and high school students in F-1
status?'').
F-1 students covered by this notice who transfer to other academic
institutions that are SEVP-certified for enrollment of F-1 students
remain eligible for the relief provided by means of this notice.

Why is DHS taking this action?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took action to provide
temporary relief to F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of
citizenship is Syria and who experienced severe economic hardship
because of the civil unrest in Syria since March 2011. See 77 FR 20038
(April 3, 2012). It enabled these F-1 students to obtain employment
authorization, work an increased number of hours while school was in
session, and reduce their course load, while continuing to maintain
their F-1 student status. In June 2013 and again in January 2015, DHS
acknowledged that the the civil unrest in Syria continued to affect
Syria's citizens, with many people still displaced as a result. DHS
extended the application of the original April 3, 2012, notice through
September 30, 2016, to continue to provide temporary relief to Syrian
F-1 students who experienced severe economic hardship as a result of
the conflict. Despite DHS's determination that the civil conflict in
Syria continued well beyond the October 3, 2013 expiration date of the
original notice, previous extensions of the original notice did not
make temporary relief available to Syrian F-1 students who became
lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status after
April 3, 2012.
The conflict in Syria continues to affect the physical and economic
security of its citizens. Syria is experiencing ongoing civil unrest,
resulting in the continuing displacement of massive numbers of its
citizens. As of October 2015, a United Nations report indicated that
approximately 6.5 million Syrians were internally displaced. A number
of violent extremist groups have factored prominently in the conflict
and pose a danger to civilians. Various radical Islamist organizations
have been actively engaged in armed resistance in

[[Page 62521]]

Syria. In early 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)
emerged as one of the most significant radical Islamist fighting
forces. The al-Nusra Front (also known as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and/
orJabhat al Nusra) represents the interests of al-Qaeda in Syria. These
jihadist groups have engaged in indiscriminate attacks including
bombings and suicide attacks throughout Syria. Most recently on March
17, 2016, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry declared that ISIL had
committed acts of genocide against groups of people living in areas of
Syria under ISIL control, including Yezidis, Christians, and Shia
Muslims.
Furthermore, various aspects of the conflict including economic
sanctions imposed by the international community have negatively
affected the entire Syrian economy. A report published by the Syrian
Center for Policy Research, referenced by a publication from the
Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, indicated that by the end of
2014, 82% of Syrian people lived in poverty, and the country had an
unemployment rate of 58%. The report also estimated that 877,000 people
in Syria became poor in part due to economic sanctions. As of December
2014, the World Bank determined that the conflict in Syria
significantly damaged public and private assets, with Syria's GDP
having declined an average of 15.4%. The World Bank also assessed that
inflation increased by almost 90% in 2013 and further increased an
average of 29% in 2014. Given the conditions in Syria, affected
students whose primary means of financial support come from Syria may
need to be exempt from the normal student employment requirements to be
able to continue their studies in the United States and meet basic
living expenses.
The United States is committed to continuing to assist the people
of Syria. DHS is therefore extending this employment authorization for
F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Syria and who
are continuing to experience severe economic hardship as a result of
the civil unrest since March 2011, including those who became lawfully
present in F-1 nonimmigrant status between April 3, 2012, and September
9, 2016.

How do I apply for an employment authorization under the circumstances
of this notice?

F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Syria who
were lawfully present in the United States on or after April 3, 2012,
through September 9, 2016, and are experiencing severe economic
hardship because of the civil unrest, may apply for employment
authorization under the guidelines described in 77 FR 20038. This
notice extends the time period during which such F-1 students may seek
employment authorization due to the civil unrest. It does not impose
any new or additional policies or procedures beyond those listed in the
original notice. All interested F-1 students should follow the
instructions listed in the original notice.

Jeh Charles Johnson,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-21525 Filed 9-8-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-28-P

62520 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 175 / Friday, September 9, 2016 / Notices

Affected Public: Businesses. the applicability of certain requirements undergraduate and graduate students, as
Estimated Number of Responses: governing on-campus and off-campus well as elementary school, middle
151,140. employment for F–1 nonimmigrant school, and high school students. The
Estimated Time per Response: 6 students whose country of citizenship is notice, however, applies differently to
minutes. Syria and who are experiencing severe elementary school, middle school, and
Estimated Total Annual Burden economic hardship as a direct result of high school students (see the discussion
Hours: 15,114. the civil unrest in Syria since March published at 77 FR 20040, available at
Dated: September 2, 2016. 2011. See 77 FR 20038 (April 3, 2012). http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-
This notice also suspends these same 04-03/pdf/2012-7960.pdf, in the
Seth Renkema,
regulatory requirements for students question, ‘‘Does this notice apply to
Branch Chief, Economic Impact Analysis elementary school, middle school, and
whose country of citizenship is Syria
Branch, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
and who lawfully obtained F–1 high school students in F–1 status?’’).
[FR Doc. 2016–21678 Filed 9–8–16; 8:45 am] F–1 students covered by this notice
nonimmigrant student status between
BILLING CODE 9111–14–P the date of the original notice and who transfer to other academic
September 9, 2016. The original notice institutions that are SEVP-certified for
was effective from April 3, 2012 until enrollment of F–1 students remain
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND October 3, 2013. A subsequent notice eligible for the relief provided by means
SECURITY provided for an 18-month extension of this notice.
[DHS Docket No. ICEB- 2013–0001] from October 3, 2013, through March Why is DHS taking this action?
31, 2015. See 78 FR 36211 (June 17,
RIN 1653–ZA10 The Department of Homeland
2013). A third notice provided another
18-month extension from March 31, Security (DHS) took action to provide
Extension of and Addition to temporary relief to F–1 nonimmigrant
Employment Authorization for Syrian 2015, through September 30, 2016. See
80 FR 232 (January 5, 2015). Effective students whose country of citizenship is
F–1 Nonimmigrant Students Syria and who experienced severe
Experiencing Severe Economic with this publication, suspension of the
employment limitations is extended for economic hardship because of the civil
Hardship as a Direct Result of Civil unrest in Syria since March 2011. See
Unrest in Syria Since March 2011 18 months from September 30, 2016,
until March 31, 2018. This publication 77 FR 20038 (April 3, 2012). It enabled
AGENCY: U.S. Immigration and Customs also suspends the applicability of the these F–1 students to obtain
Enforcement (ICE), DHS. same regulatory requirements in 8 CFR employment authorization, work an
214.2(f)(9) for students who meet the increased number of hours while school
ACTION: Notice.
requirements contained in the notice was in session, and reduce their course
SUMMARY: This notice informs the public below as of September 9, 2016. load, while continuing to maintain their
of the extension of and addition to an F–1 nonimmigrant students granted F–1 student status. In June 2013 and
earlier notice, which suspended certain employment authorization through the again in January 2015, DHS
requirements for F–1 nonimmigrant notice will continue to be deemed to be acknowledged that the the civil unrest
students whose country of citizenship is engaged in a ‘‘full course of study’’ for in Syria continued to affect Syria’s
Syria and who are experiencing severe the duration of their employment citizens, with many people still
economic hardship as a direct result of authorization, provided they satisfy the displaced as a result. DHS extended the
the civil unrest in Syria since March minimum course load requirement application of the original April 3, 2012,
2011. This notice extends the effective described in 77 FR 20038. See 8 CFR notice through September 30, 2016, to
date of that notice and expands the 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). continue to provide temporary relief to
application of such suspension to Syrian F–1 students who experienced
Who is covered under this action? severe economic hardship as a result of
students whose country of citizenship is
Syria and who lawfully obtained F–1 This notice applies exclusively to F– the conflict. Despite DHS’s
nonimmigrant student status between 1 nonimmigrant students whose country determination that the civil conflict in
the date of the original notice and of citizenship is Syria and who were Syria continued well beyond the
September 9, 2016. lawfully present in the United States in October 3, 2013 expiration date of the
F–1 nonimmigrant status on or after original notice, previous extensions of
DATES: This notice is effective
April 3, 2012, through September 9, the original notice did not make
September 9, 2016 and will remain in temporary relief available to Syrian F–
effect until March 31, 2018. 2016 under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act 1 students who became lawfully present
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: in the United States in F–1
(INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i); and
Louis Farrell, Director, Student and are— nonimmigrant status after April 3, 2012.
Exchange Visitor Program, MS 5600, (1) Enrolled in an institution that is The conflict in Syria continues to
U.S. Immigration and Customs Student and Exchange Visitor Program affect the physical and economic
Enforcement, 500 12th Street SW., (SEVP)-certified for enrollment of F–1 security of its citizens. Syria is
Washington, DC 20536–5600; email: students, experiencing ongoing civil unrest,
sevp@ice.dhs.gov, telephone: (703) 603– (2) Currently maintaining F–1 status, resulting in the continuing
3400. This is not a toll-free number. and displacement of massive numbers of its
Program information can be found at (3) Experiencing severe economic citizens. As of October 2015, a United
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

http://www.ice.gov/sevis/. hardship as a direct result of the Nations report indicated that
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ongoing civil unrest in Syria since approximately 6.5 million Syrians were
March 2011. internally displaced. A number of
What action is DHS taking under this ICE records show that as of August violent extremist groups have factored
notice? 2016, there are approximately 700 prominently in the conflict and pose a
The Secretary of Homeland Security Syrian F–1 Visa holders in active status danger to civilians. Various radical
is exercising his authority under 8 CFR who would be covered by this notice. Islamist organizations have been
214.2(f)(9) to extend the suspension of This notice applies to both actively engaged in armed resistance in

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:11 Sep 08, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\09SEN1.SGM 09SEN1

Document Created: 2018-02-09 13:14:57
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 13:14:57

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		This notice is effective September 9, 2016 and will remain in effect until March 31, 2018.
Contact		Louis Farrell, Director, Student and Exchange Visitor Program, MS 5600, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 500 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20536-5600; email: [email protected], telephone: (703) 603-3400. This is not a toll-free number. Program information can be found at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/.
FR Citation		81 FR 62520
RIN Number		1653-ZA10