83 FR 11553 - Extension of 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 83, Issue 51 (March 15, 2018)

Page Range		11553-11554
FR Document		2018-05206

This notice informs the public of the extension of 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. The extension of the suspension applies to such students whose country of citizenship is Syria and who lawfully obtained F-1 nonimmigrant student status by September 9, 2016.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 51 (Thursday, March 15, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 51 (Thursday, March 15, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11553-11554]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05206]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[DHS Docket No. ICEB-2013-0001]
RIN 1653-ZA13


Extension of 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 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. The extension of the suspension applies to such students whose 
country of citizenship is Syria and who lawfully obtained F-1 
nonimmigrant student status by September 9, 2016.

DATES: This notice is effective March 15, 2018 and will remain in 
effect until September 30, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Canty, 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/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

What action is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) taking under 
this notice?

    The Secretary of Homeland Security is exercising her 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, 
who are lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant 
student status, obtained F-1 nonimmigrant status by September 9, 2016, 
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); 81 FR 62520 (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). A fourth notice provided another 
18-month extension from September 30, 2016, through March 31, 2018, and 
expanded the applicability of such suspension to Syian F-1 students who 
lawfully obtained F-1 nonimmigrant student status between April 3, 2012 
and September 9, 2016. See 81 FR 62520 (September 9, 2016). Effective 
with this publication, suspension of the employment limitations is 
extended for 18 months from March 31, 2018 until September 30, 2019.
    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 under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) 
of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 
1101(a)(15)(F)(i), on September 9, 2016, and are--
    (1) Enrolled in an institution that is Student and Exchange Visitor 
Program (SEVP)-certified for enrollment of F-1 students,

[[Page 11554]]

    (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 January 23, 2018, there are 
approximately 620 Syrian F-1 visa holders in active status who would be 
covered by this notice. This notice applies to elementary school, 
middle school, high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. This 
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?

    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, 
January 2015, and again in September 2016, 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 March 31, 2018, 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, temporary relief was not made available to Syrian F-1 students 
who became lawfully present in the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant 
status after April 3, 2012. On September 9, 2016, however, DHS 
published a notice extending the application of the temporary relief in 
the original April 3, 2012 notice to those Syrian F-1 nonimmigrant 
students who lawfully obtained F-1 nonimmigrant status between April 3, 
2012, and September 9, 2016.
    The conflict in Syria continues to affect the physical and economic 
security of its citizens. There are more than 11.7 million displaced 
Syrians in the region, both inside Syria and in neighboring countries, 
plus nearly 1 million Syrians have applied for asylum in Europe. The 
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has reported over 2.8 
million civilians displaced in 2017 alone, many for the second or third 
time. Since the beginning of the conflict, as many as 500,000 Syrians 
are dead or missing.
    As a result of the civil war and conflict, food and water 
insecurity continues to have a major negative impact on the population 
of Syria. As of September 2017, the United Nations World Food Program 
assessed that food production in Syria was at an all-time low and that 
the situation was showing no sign of improving. Due to an 800 percent 
increase in the consumer food price index between 2010 and 2016, 90 
percent of Syrian households now spend over half of their income on 
food, compared with 25 percent before the crisis. As of March 2017, 51 
percent of Syrians lacked regular access to the public water system, 
relying instead on unregulated systems not tested for water purity. 
Schools and hospitals are significantly impacted by the lack of basic 
levels of sanitation, as well as the destruction of many facilities.
    Furthermore, the conflict continues to negatively affect the Syrian 
economy. In 2017, the World Bank Group issued a report detailing the 
economic and social consequences of the conflict in Syria, estimating 
$226 billion in lost GDP since the conflict erupted, a figure equal to 
about four times the Syrian GDP in 2010. World Bank Grp., The Toll of 
War: The Economic and Social Consequences of the Conflict in Syria 83 
(2017), https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/27541/The%20Toll%20of%20War.pdf.
    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, who 
lawfully obtained F-1 nonimmigrant student status by September 9, 2016, 
and who are continuing to experience severe economic hardship as a 
result of the civil unrest since March 2011.

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

    F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Syria who 
lawfully obtained F-1 nonimmigrant student status by 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 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.

Elaine C. Duke,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-05206 Filed 3-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9111-28-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 51 / Thursday, March 15, 2018 / Notices 11553

development project as it relates to the applicant’s performance on prior grants SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
benefits that are projected for when making funding decisions on
What action is the Department of
firefighters who would have improved current applications.
Once every application in the Homeland Security (DHS) taking under
safety, health, or wellness. Applicants
competitive range has been through the this notice?
should demonstrate a high benefit for
the cost incurred, and effective technical evaluation phase, the The Secretary of Homeland Security
utilization of Federal funds for research applications will be ranked according to is exercising her authority under 8 CFR
activities. the average score awarded by the panel. 214.2(f)(9) to extend the suspension of
• Financial Need (additional The ranking will be summarized in a the applicability of certain requirements
consideration): In the Applicant Technical Report prepared by the AFG governing on-campus and off-campus
Information section of the application, Program Office. A Grants Management employment for F–1 nonimmigrant
applicants should provide details on the Specialist will contact the applicant to students whose country of citizenship is
need for Federal financial assistance to discuss and/or negotiate the content of Syria, who are lawfully present in the
carry out the proposed project(s). the application and SAM.gov United States in F–1 nonimmigrant
Applicants may include a description of registration before making final award student status, obtained F–1
unsuccessful attempts to acquire decisions. nonimmigrant status by September 9,
financial assistance. Applicants should Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2229. 2016, and who are experiencing severe
provide detail about the organization’s economic hardship as a direct result of
Dated: March 9, 2018.
operating budget, including a high-level the civil unrest in Syria since March
breakdown of the budget; describe the Brock Long,
Administrator, Federal Emergency
2011. See 77 FR 20038 (April 3, 2012);
department’s inability to address 81 FR 62520 (September 9, 2016). The
Management Agency.
financial needs without Federal original notice was effective from April
assistance; and discuss other actions the [FR Doc. 2018–05214 Filed 3–14–18; 8:45 am]
3, 2012 until October 3, 2013. A
department has taken to meet their BILLING CODE 9111–64–P
subsequent notice provided for an 18-
staffing needs (e.g., State assistance month extension from October 3, 2013,
programs, other grant programs, etc.). through March 31, 2015. See 78 FR
• Mentoring (additional DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY 36211 (June 17, 2013). A third notice
consideration for Early Career provided another 18-month extension
Investigator Projects only): An important [DHS Docket No. ICEB–2013–0001] from March 31, 2015, through
part of Early Career Investigator projects September 30, 2016. See 80 FR 232
is the integration of mentoring for the RIN 1653–ZA13
(January 5, 2015). A fourth notice
principal investigator by experienced Extension of Employment provided another 18-month extension
researchers in areas appropriate to the Authorization for Syrian F–1 from September 30, 2016, through
research project, including exposure to Nonimmigrant Students Experiencing March 31, 2018, and expanded the
the fire service community as well as Severe Economic Hardship as a Direct applicability of such suspension to
support for ongoing development of Result of Civil Unrest in Syria Since Syian F–1 students who lawfully
knowledge and skills. Mentoring is March 2011 obtained F–1 nonimmigrant student
regarded as critical to the research skills
AGENCY: U.S. Immigration and Customs status between April 3, 2012 and
development of early career principal
Enforcement (ICE), DHS. September 9, 2016. See 81 FR 62520
investigators. As part of the application
(September 9, 2016). Effective with this
Appendix, the applicant should identify ACTION: Notice.
publication, suspension of the
the mentor(s) who have agreed to
SUMMARY: This notice informs the public employment limitations is extended for
support the applicant and the expected
of the extension of an earlier notice, 18 months from March 31, 2018 until
benefit of their interactions with the
which suspended certain requirements September 30, 2019.
researcher. A biographical sketch and
letter of support from the mentor(s) are for F–1 nonimmigrant students whose F–1 nonimmigrant students granted
encouraged and should be included in country of citizenship is Syria and who employment authorization through the
the Appendix materials. are experiencing severe economic notice will continue to be deemed to be
hardship as a direct result of the civil engaged in a ‘‘full course of study’’ for
Other Selection Information unrest in Syria since March 2011. This the duration of their employment
Awards will be made using the results notice extends the effective date of that authorization, provided they satisfy the
of peer-reviewed applications as the notice. The extension of the suspension minimum course load requirement
primary basis for decisions, regardless applies to such students whose country described in 77 FR 20038. See 8 CFR
of activity. However, there are some of citizenship is Syria and who lawfully 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F).
exceptions to strictly using the peer obtained F–1 nonimmigrant student
status by September 9, 2016. Who is covered under this action?
review results. The applicant’s prior
AFG, SAFER, and FP&S grant DATES: This notice is effective March 15, This notice applies exclusively to
management performance will also be 2018 and will remain in effect until F–1 nonimmigrant students whose
taken into consideration when making September 30, 2019. country of citizenship is Syria and who
recommendations for award. All final FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: were lawfully present in the United
funding determinations will be made by Rachel Canty, Director, Student and States in F–1 nonimmigrant status
under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

the FEMA Administrator, or the Exchange Visitor Program, MS 5600,
Administrator’s designee. U.S. Immigration and Customs Immigration and Nationality Act (INA),
Fire departments and other eligible Enforcement, 500 12th Street SW, 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i), on September
applicants that have received funding Washington, DC 20536–5600; email: 9, 2016, and are—
under the FP&S Grant Program in sevp@ice.dhs.gov, telephone: (703) 603– (1) Enrolled in an institution that is
previous years are eligible to apply for 3400. This is not a toll-free number. Student and Exchange Visitor Program
funding in the current year. However, Program information can be found at (SEVP)-certified for enrollment of F–1
DHS may take into account an http://www.ice.gov/sevis/. students,

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Document Created: 2018-03-15 02:38:00
Document Modified: 2018-03-15 02:38:00

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 March 15, 2018 and will remain in effect until September 30, 2019.
Contact		Rachel Canty, 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		83 FR 11553
RIN Number		1653-ZA13