83_FR_9372 83 FR 9329 - Extension of the Designation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status

83 FR 9329 - Extension of the Designation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 43 (March 5, 2018)

Page Range9329-9336
FR Document2018-04454

Through this Notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from April 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019. The extension allows currently eligible TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through September 30, 2019, so long as they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. This Notice also sets forth procedures necessary for nationals of Syria (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Syria) to re-register for TPS and to apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS will issue new EADs with a September 30, 2019 expiration date to eligible Syria TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs under this extension.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 43 (Monday, March 5, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 43 (Monday, March 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9329-9336]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04454]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

[CIS No. 2618-18; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2013-0001]
RIN 1615-ZB72


Extension of the Designation of Syria for Temporary Protected 
Status

AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of 
Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Through this Notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 
announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is 
extending the designation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) 
for 18 months, from April 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019. The 
extension allows currently eligible TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS 
through September 30, 2019, so long as they otherwise continue to meet 
the eligibility requirements for TPS. This Notice also sets forth 
procedures necessary for nationals of Syria (or aliens having no 
nationality who last habitually resided in Syria) to re-register for 
TPS and to apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with 
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS will issue new 
EADs with a September 30, 2019 expiration date to eligible Syria TPS 
beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs under this 
extension.

DATES: Extension of Designation of Syria for TPS: The 18-month 
extension of the TPS designation of Syria is effective April 1, 2018, 
and will remain in effect through September 30, 2019. The 60-day re-
registration period runs from March 5, 2018 through May 4, 2018. (Note: 
It is important for re-registrants to timely re-register during this 
60-day period and not to wait until their EADs expire.)

[[Page 9330]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
     You may contact Samantha Deshommes, Branch Chief, 
Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. 
Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland 
Security, 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20529-2060; or by 
phone at 800-375-5283.
     If you have additional questions about Temporary Protected 
Status, please visit uscis.gov/tools. Our online virtual assistant, 
Emma, can answer many of your questions and point you to additional 
information on our website. If you are unable to find your answers 
there, you may also reach out to our USCIS contact center at 800-375-
5283.
     Applicants seeking information about the status of their 
individual cases can check Case Status Online, available at the USCIS 
website at http://www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS National Customer 
Service Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). Service is available 
in English and Spanish.
     Further information will also be available at local USCIS 
offices upon publication of this Notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Abbreviations

BIA--Board of Immigration Appeals
DHS--Department of Homeland Security
EAD--Employment Authorization Document
FNC--Final Nonconfirmation
Government--U.S. Government
IJ--Immigration Judge
INA--Immigration and Nationality Act
IER--U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Immigrant and 
Employee Rights Section (IER)
SAVE--USCIS Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program
Secretary--Secretary of Homeland Security
TNC--Tentative Nonconfirmation
TPS--Temporary Protected Status
TTY--Text Telephone
USCIS--U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

    Through this Notice, DHS sets forth procedures necessary for 
eligible nationals of Syria (or aliens having no nationality who last 
habitually resided in Syria) to re-register for TPS and to apply for 
renewal of their EADs with USCIS. Re-registration is limited to persons 
who have previously registered for TPS under the designation of Syria 
and whose applications have been granted. Certain individuals may be 
eligible to file a late initial application for TPS if they meet the 
conditions described in 8 CFR 244.2(f)(2). In addition to meeting other 
eligibility criteria, initial applicants for TPS under this extension 
must demonstrate that they have been continuously residing in the 
United States since August 1, 2016, and continuously physically present 
in the United States since October 1, 2016. Information on late initial 
filing is also available on the USCIS TPS website link at 
www.uscis.gov/tps.
    For individuals who have already been granted TPS under Syria's 
designation, the 60-day re-registration period runs from March 5, 2018 
through May 4, 2018. USCIS will issue new EADs with a September 30, 
2019 expiration date to eligible Syrian TPS beneficiaries who timely 
re-register and apply for EADs. 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 March 31, 2018. Accordingly, through this Federal Register 
notice, DHS automatically extends the validity of EADs issued under the 
TPS designation of Syria for 180 days, through September 27, 2018. This 
Notice explains how TPS beneficiaries and their employers may determine 
which EADs are automatically extended and how this affects the Form I-
9, Employment Eligibility Verification, and E-Verify processes.
    Individuals who have a pending Syria TPS application will not need 
to file a new Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821). 
DHS provides additional instructions in this Notice for individuals 
whose TPS applications remain pending and who would like to obtain an 
EAD valid through September 30, 2019. There are approximately 7,000 
current beneficiaries under Syria's TPS designation

What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

     TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible 
nationals of a country designated for TPS under the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (INA), or to eligible persons without nationality who 
last habitually resided in the designated country.
     During the TPS designation period and so long as a TPS 
beneficiary continues to meet the requirements of TPS, he or she is 
eligible to remain in the United States, may not be removed, and is 
authorized to work and obtain an EAD.
     TPS beneficiaries may also apply for and be granted travel 
authorization as a matter of discretion.
     The granting of TPS does not result in or lead to lawful 
permanent resident status.
     To qualify for TPS, beneficiaries must meet the 
eligibility standards at INA section 244(c)(1)-(2), 8 U.S.C. 
1254a(c)(1)-(2).
     When the Secretary terminates a country's TPS designation, 
beneficiaries return to either:
    [cir] The same immigration status or category that they maintained 
before TPS, if any (unless that status or category has since expired or 
been terminated); or
    [cir] Any other lawfully obtained immigration status or category 
they received while registered for TPS, as long as it is still valid on 
the date TPS terminates.

When was Syria designated for TPS?

    Former Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano initially 
designated Syria for TPS on March 29, 2012, based on extraordinary and 
temporary conditions resulting from the Syrian military's violent 
suppression of opposition to President Bashar al-Assad's regime that 
prevented Syrian nationals from safely returning to Syria. See 
Designation of Syrian Arab Republic for Temporary Protected Status, 77 
FR 19026 (Mar. 29, 2012). Following the initial designation, former 
Secretaries Napolitano and Johnson extended and redesignated Syria for 
TPS three times. Most recently, in 2016, former Secretary Johnson both 
extended Syria's designation and redesignated Syria for TPS for 18 
months through March 31, 2018. See Extension and Redesignation of Syria 
for Temporary Protected Status, 81 FR 50533 (Aug. 1, 2016).

What authority does the Secretary have to extend the designation of 
Syria for TPS?

    Section 244(b)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1), authorizes the 
Secretary, after consultation with appropriate agencies of the U.S. 
Government (Government), to designate a foreign state (or part thereof) 
for TPS if the Secretary determines that certain country conditions 
exist.\1\ The Secretary may then grant TPS to eligible nationals of 
that foreign state (or eligible aliens having no nationality who last 
habitually resided in the designated country). See INA section 
244(a)(1)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(1)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ As of March 1, 2003, in accordance with section 1517 of 
title XV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Public Law 107-296, 
116 Stat. 2135, any reference to the Attorney General in a provision 
of the INA describing functions transferred from the Department of 
Justice to DHS ``shall be deemed to refer to the Secretary'' of 
Homeland Security. See 6 U.S.C. 557 (codifying the Homeland Security 
Act of 2002, tit. XV, section 1517).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At least 60 days before the expiration of a country's TPS 
designation or extension, the Secretary, after consultation with 
appropriate

[[Page 9331]]

Government agencies, must review the conditions in a foreign state 
designated for TPS to determine whether the conditions for the TPS 
designation continue to be met. See INA section 244(b)(3)(A), 8 U.S.C. 
1254a(b)(3)(A). If the Secretary does not determine that a foreign 
state no longer meets the conditions for TPS designation, the 
designation will be extended for an additional period of 6 months or, 
in the Secretary's discretion, 12 or 18 months. See INA section 
244(b)(3)(A), (C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A), (C). If the Secretary 
determines that the foreign state no longer meets the conditions for 
TPS designation, the Secretary must terminate the designation. See INA 
section 244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B).

Why is the Secretary extending the TPS designation for Syria through 
September 30, 2019?

    DHS has reviewed conditions in Syria. Based on the review, 
including input received from other U.S. Government agencies, the 
Secretary has determined that an 18-month extension is warranted 
because the ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary 
conditions that prompted Syria's 2016 redesignation for TPS persist.
    Syria is engulfed in an ongoing civil war marked by brutal violence 
against civilians, egregious human rights violations and abuses, and a 
humanitarian disaster on a devastating scale across the country. 
Beginning in March 2011, the Syrian Arab Republic Government (SARG) 
mobilized the military to violently suppress citizens advocating for 
greater political freedoms, initiating a brutal crackdown, and 
employing excessive force against civilians, including arbitrary 
executions, killing and persecution of protestors and members of the 
media, arbitrary detentions, disappearances, torture, and ill-treatment 
in an effort to retain control of the country. Since the beginning of 
the conflict, as many as 500,000 Syrians are dead or missing. The SARG 
and its allies continue to wage a brutal war resulting in significant 
civilian casualties. On April 4, 2017, the Syrian military used 
chemical weapons on the village of Khan Sheikhoun.
    The SARG's use of barrel bombs against civilians is an ongoing 
occurrence in major population centers, with thousands of bombs dropped 
in 2016 and 2017. Syrian regime forces dropped 613 barrel bombs in 
November 2017 alone, according to monthly reporting statistics from the 
Syrian Network for Human Rights.
    After nearly seven years of armed conflict, over half of Syria's 
pre-war population has been forced to flee from their homes. There are 
11.5 million displaced Syrians in the region, both inside Syria and in 
neighboring countries. The United Nations High Commissioner for 
Refugees has reported over 1,240,000 civilian displacements in the last 
12 months alone. Every year of the conflict has seen a massive growth 
in refugees. In July 2012, there were 100,000 refugees. One year later, 
there were 1.5 million. As of January 2018, there were over 5.4 million 
Syrian refugees in the region.
    Syria is experiencing a humanitarian crisis, with over 73% of the 
Syrian population in need of assistance. The humanitarian situation is 
particularly severe in areas besieged by the SARG. For example, an 
estimated 400,000 civilians in Eastern Ghouta have been pushed to the 
brink of famine since March 2017, when the government tightened its 
siege of the Damascus suburb. The Syrian regime adds to this suffering 
by regularly bombing and firing artillery and rockets into Eastern 
Ghouta. Malnutrition rates there are the highest seen so far in Syria 
since the beginning of the crisis. In a December 10, 2017 statement, 
the United Nations Children's Fund called for the immediate evacuation 
of scores of sick children from Eastern Ghouta. The U.S. Mission to the 
United Nations has decried the situation in Eastern Ghouta as ``the 
latest version of the Assad regime's despicable `starve and surrender' 
strategy.'' Although 29 critically-ill civilians were evacuated in late 
December 2017, the Department of State condemned the SARG for its 
ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid to the besieged area, where as of 
February 2018 hundreds still awaited medical evacuation, and many had 
died as they waited. Since early 2018, a new campaign of SARG 
airstrikes targeting major roads and hospitals has killed hundreds of 
civilians in Eastern Ghouta.
    In northwestern Idlib province, a SARG offensive initiated in late 
December 2017 further threatens the safety and security of up to one 
million internally displaced civilians. As frequent airstrikes have 
forced civilians to evacuate the southern areas of Idlib, tens of 
thousands of newly displaced Syrians have amassed along the Turkish 
border seeking assistance.
    Over 9 million Syrians are in need of emergency food assistance. 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. Water shortages, particularly in 
Damascus, have exacerbated children's vulnerability to communicable 
diseases. In 2016, nearly half of Syria's current population suffered 
from the use of water as a weapon of war due to deliberate water cuts 
by warring factions.
    Syria's medical system is in crisis. More than half of public 
hospitals and primary health centers have closed or are only partially 
functioning, and 11.5 million Syrians, including nearly 5 million 
children, do not have access to health care. SARG forces target Syrian 
medical personnel and facilities as part of their military strategy. 
Physicians for Human Rights has estimated that 98 percent of doctors 
have been killed or displaced in Aleppo. Outbreaks of preventable 
diseases are on the rise, including polio, which had been eradicated in 
Syria prior to the ongoing conflict.
    Facing troop shortages after years of conflict, the Syrian military 
is increasingly relying on forced conscription to fill its ranks, 
launching large-scale arrests of military-age men through raids and 
checkpoints. In December 2016, SARG forces arrested and conscripted 
civilians fleeing rebel-held areas of Aleppo. In September 2017, the 
Syrian Network for Human Rights reported ``almost daily raiding and 
arrest campaigns'' focusing on males aged 18-42 years old for the 
purpose of military conscription. Numerous factions fighting the Syrian 
regime also forcibly recruit civilians, including children, to serve in 
combat roles. The self-described Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) 
has the greatest reliance on child soldiers in Syria. Former ISIS child 
soldiers have described children as young as twelve being used as 
suicide bombers and children as young as six assisting in Islamic State 
executions.
    Despite these circumstances, there have been incremental 
improvements in stability in Syria. In a January 17, 2018 speech, 
Secretary of State Tillerson noted that ISIS is substantially, but not 
completely defeated, although it

[[Page 9332]]

continues to wage an insurgency that poses a threat to the Syrian 
people. He highlighted significant gains made in combatting the 
terrorist organization, including the liberation of Raqqa (ISIS's self-
declared capital) and the vast majority of Syrian territory once held 
by ISIS. Secretary Tillerson highlighted the ``catastrophic state of 
affairs . . . related to the continued lack of security and legitimate 
governance in Syria,'' and acknowledged the essential role of a 
continued U.S. military presence in Syria to cement gains and help 
bring an end to the civil war.
    Secretary Tillerson related that U.S. efforts have helped tens of 
thousands of Syrian refugees and hundreds of thousands of internally-
displaced persons return to their homes. According to the United 
Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the number 
of Syrians returning to their homes in 2017 increased from 2016, with 
721,000 Syrians returning home in 2017 (655,000 of whom were 
internally-displaced persons and approximately 66,000 of whom were 
refugees), compared to 560,000 returning in 2016. However, new 
displacement and attempts to flee Syria outstripped returns by 3 to 1 
in 2017, and the UN has stated that large-scale returns now could have 
a catastrophic effect given the lack of safe conditions and the 
availability of basic infrastructure.
    Based upon this review and after consultation with appropriate 
Government agencies, the Secretary has determined that:
     The conditions supporting the 2016 redesignation of Syria 
for TPS continue to be met. See INA section 244(b)(3)(A) and (C), 8 
U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A) and (C).
     There continues to be an ongoing armed conflict in Syria 
and, due to such conflict, requiring the return of Syrian nationals (or 
aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Syria) to 
Syria would pose a serious threat to their personal safety. See INA 
section 244(b)(1)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(A).
     There continue to be extraordinary and temporary 
conditions in Syria that prevent Syrian nationals (or aliens having no 
nationality who last habitually resided in Syria) from returning to 
Syria in safety, and it is not contrary to the national interest of the 
United States to permit Syrian TPS beneficiaries to remain in the 
United States temporarily. See INA section 244(b)(1)(C), 8 U.S.C. 
1254a(b)(1)(C).
     The designation of Syria for TPS should be extended for an 
18-month period, from April 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019. See INA 
section 244(b)(3)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(C).

Notice of Extension of the TPS Designation of Syria

    By the authority vested in me as Secretary under INA section 244, 8 
U.S.C. 1254a, I have determined, after consultation with the 
appropriate Government agencies, the conditions that supported Syria's 
2016 redesignation for TPS continue to be met. See INA section 
244(b)(3)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). On the basis of this 
determination, I am extending the existing designation of TPS for Syria 
for 18 months, from April 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019. See INA 
section 244(b)(1)(A), (b)(1)(C); 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(A), (b)(1)(C).

Kirstjen M. Nielsen,
Secretary.

Required Application Forms and Application Fees To Register or Re-
register for TPS

    To re-register for TPS based on the designation of Syria, you must 
submit an Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821). You 
do not need to pay the filing fee for the Form I-821. See 8 CFR 244.17. 
You may be required to pay the biometric services fee. Please see 
additional information under the ``Biometric Services Fee'' section of 
this Notice.
    Through operation of this Federal Register notice, your existing 
EAD issued under the TPS designation of Syria with the expiration date 
of March 31, 2018, is automatically extended for 180 days, through 
September 27, 2018. You do not need to apply for a new EAD in order to 
benefit from this 180-day automatic extension. However, if you want to 
obtain a new EAD valid through September 30, 2019, you must file an 
Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) and pay the Form 
I-765 fee (or request a fee waiver). Note, if you do not want a new 
EAD, you do not have to file Form I-765 or pay the Form I-765 fee. If 
you do not want to request a new EAD now, you may also file Form I-765 
at a later date and pay the fee (or request a fee waiver), provided 
that you still have TPS or a pending TPS application. But unless you 
timely re-register and properly file an EAD application in accordance 
with this Notice, the validity of your current EAD will end on 
September 27, 2018. You may file the application for a new EAD either 
prior to or after your current EAD has expired. However, you are 
strongly encouraged to file your application for a new EAD as early as 
possible to avoid gaps in the validity of your employment authorization 
documentation and to ensure that you receive your new EAD by September 
27, 2018.
    If you are seeking an EAD with your re-registration for TPS, please 
submit both the Form I-821 and Form I-765 together. If you are unable 
to pay the application fee and/or biometric services fee, you may 
complete a Request for Fee Waiver (Form I-912) or submit a personal 
letter requesting a fee waiver with satisfactory supporting 
documentation. For more information on the application forms and fees 
for TPS, please visit the USCIS TPS web page at http://www.uscis.gov/tps. Fees for the Form I-821, the Form I-765, and biometric services 
are also described in 8 CFR 103.7(b)(1)(i).
    Note: If you have a Form I-821 and/or Form I-765 that was still 
pending as of March 5, 2018, then you do not need to file either 
application again. If your pending TPS application is approved, you 
will be granted TPS through September 30, 2019. Similarly, if you have 
a pending TPS-related application for an EAD that is approved, it will 
be valid through the same date.

Biometric Services Fee

    Biometrics (such as fingerprints) are required for all applicants 
14 years of age or older. Those applicants must submit a biometric 
services fee. As previously stated, if you are unable to pay for the 
biometric services fee, you may apply for a fee waiver by completing a 
Form I-912 or by submitting a personal letter requesting a fee waiver, 
and providing satisfactory supporting documentation. For more 
information on the biometric services fee, please see the instructions 
to Form I-821 or visit the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov. If 
necessary, you may be required to visit an Application Support Center 
(ASC) to have your biometrics captured. In such a case, USCIS will send 
you an ASC scheduling notice. For additional information on the USCIS 
biometrics screening process, please see the USCIS Customer Profile 
Management Service Privacy Impact Assessment, available at www.dhs.gov/privacy.

Re-filing a Re-registration TPS Application After Receiving a Denial of 
a Fee Waiver Request

    You should file as soon as possible within the 60-day re-
registration period so USCIS can process your application and issue any 
EAD promptly. Properly filing early will also allow you to have time to 
refile your application before the deadline, should USCIS deny your fee 
waiver request. If, however, you receive

[[Page 9333]]

a denial of your fee waiver request and are unable to refile by the re-
registration deadline, you may still refile your Form I-821 with the 
biometrics fee. This situation will be reviewed to determine whether 
you established good cause for late TPS re-registration. However, you 
are urged to refile within 45 days of the date on any USCIS fee waiver 
denial notice, if possible. See INA section 244(c)(3)(C); 8 U.S.C. 
1254a(c)(3)(C); 8 CFR 244.17(b). For more information on good cause for 
late re-registration, visit the USCIS TPS web page at http://www.uscis.gov/tps. Following denial of your fee waiver request, you may 
also refile your Form I-765 with fee either with your Form I-821 or at 
a later time, if you choose.

    Note:  Although a re-registering TPS beneficiary age 14 and 
older must pay the biometric services fee (but not the Form I-821 
fee) when filing a TPS re-registration application, you may decide 
to wait to request an EAD. Therefore, you do not have to file the 
Form I-765 or pay the associated Form I-765 fee (or request a fee 
waiver) at the time of re-registration, and could wait to seek an 
EAD until after USCIS has approved your TPS re-registration 
application. If you choose to do this, to re-register for TPS you 
would only need to file the Form I-821 with the biometrics services 
fee, if applicable, (or request a fee waiver).

Mailing Information

    Mail your application for TPS to the proper address in Table 1.

                       Table 1--Mailing Addresses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              If you . . .                        Mail to . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are sending through the U.S. Postal      USCIS, Attn: TPS Syria, P.O.
 Service.                                 Box 6943, Chicago, IL 60680-
                                          6943.
Are sending by FedEx, UPS, or DHL......  USCIS, Attn: TPS Syria, 131 S.
                                          Dearborn Street, 3rd Floor,
                                          Chicago, IL 60603-5517.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If you were granted TPS by an Immigration Judge (IJ) or the Board 
of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and wish to request an EAD or are re-
registering for the first time following a grant of TPS by an IJ or the 
BIA, please mail your application to the appropriate mailing address in 
Table 1. When re-registering and/or requesting an EAD based on an IJ/
BIA grant of TPS, please include a copy of the IJ or BIA order granting 
you TPS with your application. This will help us verify your grant of 
TPS and process your application.

Supporting Documents

    The filing instructions on the Form I-821 list all the documents 
needed to establish eligibility for TPS. You may also find information 
on the acceptable documentation and other requirements for applying or 
registering for TPS on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/tps under 
``Syria.''

Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

How can I get information on the status of my EAD request?

    To get case status information about your TPS application, 
including the status of a request for an EAD, you can check Case Status 
Online, available at http://www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS National 
Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). If your 
Form I-765 has been pending for more than 90 days, and you still need 
assistance, you may request an EAD inquiry appointment with USCIS by 
using the InfoPass system at https://infopass.uscis.gov. However, we 
strongly encourage you first to check Case Status Online or call the 
USCIS National Customer Service Center for assistance before making an 
InfoPass appointment.

Am I eligible to receive an automatic 180-day extension of my current 
EAD through September 27, 2018, using this Federal Register notice?

    Yes. Provided that you currently have a Syria TPS-based EAD, this 
Federal Register notice automatically extends your EAD by 180 days 
(through September 27, 2018) if you:
     Are a national of Syria (or an alien having no nationality 
who last habitually resided in Syria); and
     Have an EAD with a marked expiration date of March 31, 
2018, bearing the notation A-12 or C-19 on the face of the card under 
Category.
    Although this Federal Register notice automatically extends your 
EAD through September 27, 2018, you must re-register timely for TPS in 
accordance with the procedures described in this Federal Register 
notice if you would like to maintain your TPS.

When hired, what documentation may I show to my employer as evidence of 
employment authorization and identity when completing Employment 
Eligibility Verification (Form I-9)?

    You can find a list of acceptable document choices on the ``Lists 
of Acceptable Documents'' for Form I-9. Employers must complete Form I-
9 to verify the identity and employment authorization of all new 
employees. Within three days of hire, employees must present acceptable 
documents to their employers as evidence of identity and employment 
authorization to satisfy Form I-9 requirements.
    You may present any document from List A (which provides evidence 
of both identity and employment authorization), or one document from 
List B (which provides evidence of your identity) together with one 
document from List C (which is evidence of employment authorization), 
or you may present an acceptable receipt for List A, List B, or List C 
documents as described in the Form I-9 Instructions. Employers may not 
reject a document based on a future expiration date. You can find 
additional detailed information about Form I-9 on USCIS' I-9 Central 
web page at http://www.uscis.gov/I-9Central.
    An EAD is an acceptable document under List A. If your EAD has an 
expiration date of March 31, 2018, and states A-12 or C-19 under 
Category, it has been extended automatically for 180 days by virtue of 
this Federal Register notice and you may choose to present this Notice 
along with your EAD to your employer as proof of identity and 
employment eligibility for Form I-9 through September 27, 2018, unless 
your TPS has been withdrawn or your request for TPS has been denied. If 
you properly filed for a new EAD in accordance with this Notice, you 
will also receive Form I-797C, Notice of Action that will state your 
current A-12 or C-19 coded EAD is automatically extended for 180 days. 
You may choose to present your EAD to your employer together with this 
Form I-797C as a List A document that provides evidence of your 
identity and employment authorization for Form I-9 through September 
27, 2018, unless your TPS has been withdrawn or your request for TPS 
has been denied. See the subsection titled, ``How do my employer and I 
complete the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) using an 
automatically extended EAD for a new job?'' for further information.
    To reduce confusion over this extension at the time of hire, you 
should explain to your employer that your EAD has been automatically 
extended through September 27, 2018. You may also provide your employer 
with a copy of this Federal Register notice, which explains that your 
EAD has been automatically extended. As an alternative to presenting 
evidence of your automatically extended EAD, you may choose to present 
any other acceptable document from List A, a combination of one 
selection from List B and one selection from List C, or a valid 
receipt.

[[Page 9334]]

What documentation may I present to my employer for Employment 
Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) if I am already employed but my 
current TPS-related EAD is set to expire?

    Even though your EAD has been automatically extended, your employer 
will need to ask you about your continued employment authorization no 
later than before you start work on April 1, 2018. You will need to 
present your employer with evidence that you are still authorized to 
work. Once presented, you may correct your employment authorization 
expiration date in Section 1 and your employer should correct the EAD 
expiration date in Section 2 of Form I-9. See the subsection titled, 
``What corrections should my current employer and I make to Employment 
Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) if my employment authorization has 
been automatically extended?'' for further information. You may show 
this Federal Register notice to your employer to explain what to do for 
Form I-9 and to show that your EAD has been automatically extended 
through September 27, 2018. Your employer may need to re-inspect your 
automatically extended EAD to check the expiration date and Category 
code to record the updated expiration date on your Form I-9 if your 
employer did not keep a copy of this EAD when you initially presented 
it. In addition, if you properly filed your Form I-765 to obtain a new 
EAD, you will receive a Form I-797C, Notice of Action. Form I-797C will 
state that your current A-12 or C-19 coded EAD is automatically 
extended for 180 days. You may present Form I-797C to your employer 
along with your EAD to confirm that the validity of your EAD has been 
automatically extended through September 27, 2018, unless your TPS has 
been withdrawn or your request for TPS has been denied. To reduce the 
possibility of gaps in your employment authorization documentation, you 
should file your Form I-765 to request a new EAD as early as possible 
during the re-registration period.
    The last day of the automatic EAD extension is September 27, 2018. 
Before you start work on September 28, 2018, your employer must 
reverify your employment authorization. At that time, you must present 
any document from List A or any document from List C on Form I-9 Lists 
of Acceptable Documents, or an acceptable List A or List C receipt 
described in the Form I-9 instructions to reverify employment 
authorization.
    By September 28, 2018, your employer must complete Section 3 of the 
current version of the form, Form I-9 (version 07/17/17 N), and attach 
it to the previously completed Form I-9, if your original Form I-9 was 
a previous version. Your employer can check the USCIS' I-9 Central web 
page at http://www.uscis.gov/I-9Central for the most current version of 
Form I-9.
    Note that your employer may not specify which List A or List C 
document you must present and cannot reject an acceptable receipt.

Can my employer require that I provide any other documentation to prove 
my status, such as proof of my Syrian citizenship?

    No. When completing Form I-9, including reverifying employment 
authorization, employers must accept any documentation that appears on 
the Form I-9 ``Lists of Acceptable Documents'' that reasonably appears 
to be genuine and that relates to you, or an acceptable List A, List B, 
or List C receipt. Employers need not reverify List B identity 
documents. Employers may not request documentation that does not appear 
on the ``Lists of Acceptable Documents.'' Therefore, employers may not 
request proof of Syrian citizenship or proof of re-registration for TPS 
when completing Form I-9 for new hires or reverifying the employment 
authorization of current employees. If presented with EADs that have 
been automatically extended, employers should accept such documents as 
a valid List A document so long as the EAD reasonably appears to be 
genuine and relates to the employee. Refer to the Note to Employees 
section of this Federal Register notice for important information about 
your rights if your employer rejects lawful documentation, requires 
additional documentation, or otherwise discriminates against you based 
on your citizenship or immigration status, or your national origin.

How do my employer and I complete Employment Eligibility Verification 
(Form I-9) using my automatically extended employment authorization for 
a new job?

    When using an automatically extended EAD to complete Form I-9 for a 
new job before September 28, 2018, you and your employer should do the 
following:
    1. For Section 1, you should:
    a. Check ``An alien authorized to work until'' and enter September 
27, 2018, the automatically extended EAD expiration date as the 
``expiration date, if applicable, mm/dd/yyyy''; and
    b. Enter your Alien Number/USCIS number or A-Number where indicated 
(your EAD and other documents from DHS will have your USCIS number or 
A-Number printed on it; the USCIS number is the same as your A-Number 
without the A prefix).
    2. For Section 2, employers should:
    a. Determine if the EAD is auto-extended for 180 days by ensuring 
it is in category A-12 or C-19 and has a March 31, 2018 expiration 
date;
    b. Write in the document title;
    c. Enter the issuing authority;
    d. Provide the document number; and
    e. Insert September 27, 2018, the date that is 180 days from the 
date the current EAD expires.
    If you also filed for a new EAD, as proof of the automatic 
extension of your employment authorization, you may present your 
expired or expiring EAD with category A-12 or C-19 in combination with 
the Form I-797C Notice of Action showing that the EAD renewal 
application was filed and that the qualifying eligibility category is 
either A-12 or C-19. Unless your TPS has been withdrawn or your request 
for TPS has been denied, this document combination is considered an 
unexpired EAD under List A. In these situations, to complete Section 2, 
employers should:
    a. Determine if the EAD is auto-extended for 180 days by ensuring:
     It is in category A-12 or C-19; and
     The category code on the EAD is the same category code on 
Form I-797C, noting that employers should consider category codes A-12 
and C-19 to be the same category code.
    b. Write in the document title;
    c. Enter the issuing authority;
    d. Provide the document number; and
    e. Insert September 27, 2018, the date that is 180 days from the 
date the current EAD expires. Before the start of work on September 28, 
2018, employers must reverify the employee's employment authorization 
in Section 3 of Form I-9.

What corrections should my current employer and I make to Employment 
Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) if my employment authorization has 
been automatically extended?

    If you presented a TPS-related EAD that was valid when you first 
started your job and your EAD has now been automatically extended, your 
employer may need to re-inspect your current EAD if they do not have a 
copy of the EAD on file. You may, and your employer should, correct 
your previously completed Form I-9 as follows:
    1. For Section 1, you may:

[[Page 9335]]

    a. Draw a line through the expiration date in Section 1;
    b. Write September 27, 2018, the date that is 180 days from the 
date your current EAD expires above the previous date (March 31, 2018); 
and
    c. Initial and date the correction in the margin of Section 1.
    2. For Section 2, employers should:
    a. Determine if the EAD is auto-extended for 180 days by ensuring:
     It is in category A-12 or C-19; and
     Has an expiration date of March 31, 2018.
    b. Draw a line through the expiration date written in Section 2;
    c. Write September 27, 2018, the date that is 180 days from the 
date the employee's current EAD expires above the previous date (March 
31, 2018); and
    d. Initial and date the correction in the Additional Information 
field in Section 2.
    In the alternative, if you properly applied for a new EAD, you may 
present your expired EAD with category A-12 or C-19 in combination with 
the Form I-797C Notice of Action. The Form I-797C should show that the 
EAD renewal application was filed and that the qualifying eligibility 
category is either A-12 or C-19. To avoid confusion, you may also 
provide your employer a copy of this Notice. Your employer should 
correct your previously completed Form I-9 as follows:
    For Section 2, employers should:
    a. Determine if the EAD is auto-extended for 180 days by ensuring:
     It is in category A-12 or C-19; and
     The category code on the EAD is the same category code on 
Form I-797C, noting that employers should consider category codes A-12 
and C-19 to be the same category code.
    b. Draw a line through the expiration date written in Section 2;
    c. Write September 27, 2018, the date that is 180 days from the 
date the employee's current EAD expires above the previous date (March 
31, 2018); and
    d. Initial and date the correction in the Additional Information 
field in Section 2.

    Note: This is not considered a reverification. Employers do not 
need to complete Section 3 until either the 180-day extension has 
ended or the employee presents a new document to show continued 
employment authorization, whichever is sooner. By September 28, 
2018, when the employee's automatically extended EAD has expired, 
employers must reverify the employee's employment authorization in 
Section 3.


If I am an employer enrolled in E-Verify, how do I verify a new 
employee whose EAD has been automatically extended?

    Employers may create a case in E-Verify for a new employee using 
the EAD bearing the expiration date March 31, 2018, or the Form I-797C 
receipt information provided on Form I-9. In either case, the receipt 
number entered as the document number on Form I-9 should be entered 
into the document number field in E-Verify.

If I am an employer enrolled in E-Verify, what do I do when I receive a 
``Work Authorization Documents Expiration'' alert for an automatically 
extended EAD?

    E-Verify automated the verification process for employees whose 
TPS-related EAD was automatically extended. If you have employees who 
are TPS beneficiaries who provided a TPS-related EAD when they first 
started working for you, you will receive a ``Work Authorization 
Documents Expiring'' case alert when the auto-extension period for this 
EAD is about to expire. This indicates that you should update Form I-9 
in accordance with the instructions above. Before such an employee 
starts to work on September 28, 2018, employment authorization must be 
reverified in Section 3. Employers should not use E-Verify for 
reverification.

Note to All Employers

    Employers are reminded that the laws requiring proper employment 
eligibility verification and prohibiting unfair immigration-related 
employment practices remain in full force. This Federal Register notice 
does not supersede or in any way limit applicable employment 
verification rules and policy guidance, including those rules setting 
forth reverification requirements. For general questions about the 
employment eligibility verification process, employers may call USCIS 
at 888-464-4218 (TTY 877-875-6028) or email USCIS at [email protected]. 
Calls and emails are accepted in English and many other languages. For 
questions about avoiding discrimination during the employment 
eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify), employers may 
call the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, Immigrant 
and Employee Rights Section (IER) (formerly the Office of Special 
Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices) Employer 
Hotline at 800-255-8155 (TTY 800-237-2515). The IER offers language 
interpretation in numerous languages. Employers may also email IER at 
[email protected].

Note to Employees

    For general questions about the employment eligibility verification 
process, employees may call USCIS at 888-897-7781 (TTY 877-875-6028) or 
email USCIS at [email protected]. Calls are accepted in English and 
Spanish. Translation services in other languages including Arabic are 
also available upon request. Employees or applicants may also call the 
IER Worker Hotline at 800-255-7688 (TTY 800-237-2515) for information 
regarding employment discrimination based upon citizenship, immigration 
status, or national origin, including discrimination related to 
Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) and E-Verify. The IER 
Worker Hotline provides language interpretation in numerous languages.
    To comply with the law, employers must accept any document or 
combination of documents from the Lists of Acceptable Documents if the 
documentation reasonably appears to be genuine and to relate to the 
employee, or an acceptable List A, List B, or List C receipt as 
described in the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) 
Instructions. Employers may not require extra or additional 
documentation beyond what is required for Form I-9 completion. Further, 
employers participating in E-Verify who receive an E-Verify case result 
of ``Tentative Nonconfirmation'' (TNC) must promptly inform employees 
of the TNC and give such employees an opportunity to contest the TNC. A 
TNC case result means that the information entered into E-Verify from 
an employee's Form I-9 differs from Federal or state government 
records.
    Employers may not terminate, suspend, delay training, withhold pay, 
lower pay, or take any adverse action against an employee because of 
the TNC while the case is still pending with E-Verify. A Final 
Nonconfirmation (FNC) case result is received when E-Verify cannot 
verify an employee's employment eligibility. An employer may terminate 
employment based on a case result of FNC. Work-authorized employees who 
receive an FNC may call USCIS for assistance at 888-897-7781 (TTY 877-
875-6028). For more information about E-Verify-related discrimination 
or to report an employer for discrimination in the E-Verify process 
based on citizenship, immigration status, or national origin, contact 
IER's Worker Hotline at 800-255-7688 (TTY 800-237-2515). Additional 
information about proper

[[Page 9336]]

nondiscriminatory Form I-9 and E-Verify procedures is available on the 
IER website at https://www.justice.gov/ier and the USCIS website at 
http://www.dhs.gov/E-verify.

Note Regarding Federal, State, and Local Government Agencies (Such as 
Departments of Motor Vehicles)

    While Federal Government agencies must follow the guidelines laid 
out by the Federal Government, state and local government agencies 
establish their own rules and guidelines when granting certain 
benefits. Each state may have different laws, requirements, and 
determinations about what documents you need to provide to prove 
eligibility for certain benefits. Whether you are applying for a 
Federal, state, or local government benefit, you may need to provide 
the government agency with documents that show you are a TPS 
beneficiary and/or show you are authorized to work based on TPS. 
Examples of such documents are:
    (1) Your current EAD;
    (2) A copy of your Notice of Action (Form I-797C), the notice of 
receipt, for your application to renew your current EAD providing an 
automatic extension of your currently expired or expiring EAD;
    (3) A copy of your Notice of Action (Form I-797C), the notice of 
receipt, for your Application for Temporary Protected Status for this 
re-registration; and
    (4) A copy of your Notice of Action (Form I-797), the notice of 
approval, for a past or current Application for Temporary Protected 
Status, if you received one from USCIS.
    Check with the government agency regarding which document(s) the 
agency will accept. Some benefit-granting agencies use the USCIS 
Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to 
confirm the current immigration status of applicants for public 
benefits. In most cases, SAVE provides an automated electronic response 
to benefit-granting agencies within seconds, but, occasionally, 
verification can be delayed. You can check the status of your SAVE 
verification by using CaseCheck at the following link: https://save.uscis.gov/casecheck/, then by clicking the ``Check Your Case'' 
button. CaseCheck is a free service that lets you follow the progress 
of your SAVE verification using your date of birth and one immigration 
identifier number. If an agency has denied your application based 
solely or in part on a SAVE response, the agency must offer you the 
opportunity to appeal the decision in accordance with the agency's 
procedures. If the agency has received and acted upon or will act upon 
a SAVE verification and you do not believe the response is correct, you 
may make an InfoPass appointment for an in-person interview at a local 
USCIS office. Detailed information on how to make corrections, make an 
appointment, or submit a written request to correct records under the 
Freedom of Information Act can be found on the SAVE website at http://www.uscis.gov/save.
[FR Doc. 2018-04454 Filed 3-1-18; 11:15 am]
 BILLING CODE 9111-97-P



                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2018 / Notices                                                    9329

                                                DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND                                  1239, email Terry.Gladhill@                           diverse candidate pool for all its
                                                SECURITY                                                fema.dhs.gov.                                         recruitment actions.
                                                                                                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:      The Board               Current DHS employees, contractors,
                                                Federal Emergency Management                            is an advisory committee established in               and potential contractors will not be
                                                Agency                                                  accordance with the provision of the                  considered for membership. Federally
                                                [Docket ID FEMA–2008–0010]                              Federal Advisory Committee Act                        registered lobbyists will not be
                                                                                                        (FACA), 5 U.S.C. Appendix. The                        considered for SGE appointments.
                                                Board of Visitors for the National Fire                 purpose of the Board is to review                       Dated: February 21, 2018.
                                                Academy                                                 annually the programs of the Academy                  Tonya L. Hoover,
                                                AGENCY:  Federal Emergency                              and advise the FEMA Administrator on                  Superintendent, National Fire Academy,
                                                Management Agency, DHS.                                 the operation of the Academy and any                  United States Fire Administration, Federal
                                                                                                        improvements therein that the Board                   Emergency Management Agency.
                                                ACTION: Committee Management;
                                                                                                        deems appropriate. In carrying out its                [FR Doc. 2018–04352 Filed 3–2–18; 8:45 am]
                                                Request for applicants for appointment                  responsibilities, the Board examines                  BILLING CODE 9111–45–P
                                                to the Board of Visitors for the National               Academy programs to determine
                                                Fire Academy.                                           whether these programs further the
                                                SUMMARY:    The National Fire Academy                   basic missions that are approved by the               DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
                                                (Academy) is requesting an individual                   FEMA Administrator, examines the                      SECURITY
                                                who are interested in serving on the                    physical plant of the Academy to
                                                                                                        determine the adequacy of the                         U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
                                                Board of Visitors for the National Fire                                                                       Services
                                                Academy (Board) to apply for                            Academy’s facilities, and examines the
                                                appointment as identified in this notice.               funding levels for Academy programs.                  [CIS No. 2618–18; DHS Docket No. USCIS–
                                                Pursuant to the Federal Fire Prevention                 The Board submits a written annual                    2013–0001]
                                                and Control Act of 1974, the Board shall                report through the United States Fire
                                                                                                                                                              RIN 1615–ZB72
                                                review annually the programs of the                     Administrator to the FEMA
                                                Academy and shall make                                  Administrator. The report provides                    Extension of the Designation of Syria
                                                recommendations to the Federal                          detailed comments and                                 for Temporary Protected Status
                                                Emergency Management Agency                             recommendations regarding the
                                                (FEMA) Administrator, through the                       operation of the Academy.                             AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and
                                                United States Fire Administrator,                          Individuals who are interested in                  Immigration Services, Department of
                                                regarding the operation of the Academy                  serving on the Board are invited to                   Homeland Security.
                                                and any improvements that the Board                     apply for consideration for                           ACTION: Notice.
                                                deems appropriate. The Board is                         appointment. There is no application
                                                                                                        form; however, a current résumé and                 SUMMARY:    Through this Notice, the
                                                composed of eight members, all of                                                                             Department of Homeland Security
                                                whom have national or regional                          statement of interest will be required.
                                                                                                        The appointment shall be for a term of                (DHS) announces that the Secretary of
                                                leadership experience in the fields of                                                                        Homeland Security (Secretary) is
                                                fire safety, fire prevention (such as                   up to three years. Individual selected for
                                                                                                        the appointment shall serve as Special                extending the designation of Syria for
                                                community risk reduction to include                                                                           Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18
                                                wildland urban interface), fire control,                Government Employees (SGEs), defined
                                                                                                        in section 202(a) of title 18, United                 months, from April 1, 2018, through
                                                research and development in fire                                                                              September 30, 2019. The extension
                                                protection, treatment and rehabilitation                States Code. The candidate selected for
                                                                                                        the appointment will be required to                   allows currently eligible TPS
                                                of fire victims, or local government                                                                          beneficiaries to retain TPS through
                                                services management, which includes                     complete a Confidential Financial
                                                                                                        Disclosure Form (U.S. Office of                       September 30, 2019, so long as they
                                                emergency medical services. The                                                                               otherwise continue to meet the
                                                Academy seeks to appoint an individual                  Government Ethics (OGE) Form 450).
                                                                                                           The Board shall meet as often as                   eligibility requirements for TPS. This
                                                to a position on the Board that will be                                                                       Notice also sets forth procedures
                                                open due to term expiration. If other                   needed to fulfill its mission, but not less
                                                                                                        than twice each fiscal year to address its            necessary for nationals of Syria (or
                                                positions are vacated during the                                                                              aliens having no nationality who last
                                                application process, candidates may be                  objectives and duties. The Board will
                                                                                                        meet in person at least once each fiscal              habitually resided in Syria) to re-register
                                                selected from the pool of applicants to                                                                       for TPS and to apply for Employment
                                                fill the vacated positions.                             year with additional meetings held via
                                                                                                        teleconference. Board members may be                  Authorization Documents (EADs) with
                                                DATES: Résumés will be accepted until                                                                       U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
                                                                                                        reimbursed for travel and per diem
                                                11:59 p.m. EST April 4, 2018.                           incurred in the performance of their                  Services (USCIS). USCIS will issue new
                                                ADDRESSES: The preferred method of                      duties as members of the Board. All                   EADs with a September 30, 2019
                                                submission is via email. However,                       travel for Board business must be                     expiration date to eligible Syria TPS
                                                résumés may also be submitted by mail.                approved in advance by the Designated                 beneficiaries who timely re-register and
                                                Please only submit by ONE of the                        Federal Officer. To the extent practical,             apply for EADs under this extension.
                                                following methods:                                      Board members shall serve on any                      DATES: Extension of Designation of Syria
                                                   • Email: FEMA-NFABOV@                                subcommittee that is established.                     for TPS: The 18-month extension of the
                                                fema.dhs.gov.                                              FEMA does not discriminate in                      TPS designation of Syria is effective
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                   • Mail: National Fire Academy, U.S.                  employment on the basis of race, color,               April 1, 2018, and will remain in effect
                                                Fire Administration, Attention: Ellen                   religion, sex, national origin, political             through September 30, 2019. The 60-day
                                                Newlin, 16825 South Seton Avenue,                       affiliation, sexual orientation, gender               re-registration period runs from March
                                                Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727–8998.                        identity, marital status, disability and              5, 2018 through May 4, 2018. (Note: It
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        genetic information, age, membership in               is important for re-registrants to timely
                                                Alternate Designated Federal Officer,                   an employee organization, or other non-               re-register during this 60-day period and
                                                Terry Gladhill, telephone (301) 447–                    merit factor. FEMA strives to achieve a               not to wait until their EADs expire.)


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   19:25 Mar 02, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00071   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\05MRN1.SGM   05MRN1


                                                9330                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2018 / Notices

                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        the United States since August 1, 2016,               INA section 244(c)(1)–(2), 8 U.S.C.
                                                   • You may contact Samantha                           and continuously physically present in                1254a(c)(1)–(2).
                                                Deshommes, Branch Chief, Regulatory                     the United States since October 1, 2016.                • When the Secretary terminates a
                                                Coordination Division, Office of Policy                 Information on late initial filing is also            country’s TPS designation, beneficiaries
                                                and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and                      available on the USCIS TPS website link               return to either:
                                                Immigration Services, U.S. Department                   at www.uscis.gov/tps.                                   Æ The same immigration status or
                                                of Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts                     For individuals who have already                   category that they maintained before
                                                Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20529–                        been granted TPS under Syria’s                        TPS, if any (unless that status or
                                                2060; or by phone at 800–375–5283.                      designation, the 60-day re-registration               category has since expired or been
                                                   • If you have additional questions                   period runs from March 5, 2018 through                terminated); or
                                                about Temporary Protected Status,                       May 4, 2018. USCIS will issue new                       Æ Any other lawfully obtained
                                                please visit uscis.gov/tools. Our online                EADs with a September 30, 2019                        immigration status or category they
                                                virtual assistant, Emma, can answer                     expiration date to eligible Syrian TPS                received while registered for TPS, as
                                                many of your questions and point you                    beneficiaries who timely re-register and              long as it is still valid on the date TPS
                                                to additional information on our                        apply for EADs. Given the timeframes                  terminates.
                                                website. If you are unable to find your                 involved with processing TPS re-                      When was Syria designated for TPS?
                                                answers there, you may also reach out                   registration applications, DHS
                                                to our USCIS contact center at 800–375–                 recognizes that not all re-registrants will             Former Secretary of Homeland
                                                5283.                                                   receive new EADs before their current                 Security Napolitano initially designated
                                                   • Applicants seeking information                     EADs expire on March 31, 2018.                        Syria for TPS on March 29, 2012, based
                                                about the status of their individual cases              Accordingly, through this Federal                     on extraordinary and temporary
                                                can check Case Status Online, available                 Register notice, DHS automatically                    conditions resulting from the Syrian
                                                at the USCIS website at http://                         extends the validity of EADs issued                   military’s violent suppression of
                                                www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS                        under the TPS designation of Syria for                opposition to President Bashar al-
                                                National Customer Service Center at                     180 days, through September 27, 2018.                 Assad’s regime that prevented Syrian
                                                800–375–5283 (TTY 800–767–1833).                        This Notice explains how TPS                          nationals from safely returning to Syria.
                                                Service is available in English and                     beneficiaries and their employers may                 See Designation of Syrian Arab Republic
                                                Spanish.                                                                                                      for Temporary Protected Status, 77 FR
                                                                                                        determine which EADs are
                                                   • Further information will also be                                                                         19026 (Mar. 29, 2012). Following the
                                                                                                        automatically extended and how this
                                                available at local USCIS offices upon                                                                         initial designation, former Secretaries
                                                                                                        affects the Form I–9, Employment
                                                publication of this Notice.                                                                                   Napolitano and Johnson extended and
                                                                                                        Eligibility Verification, and E-Verify
                                                                                                                                                              redesignated Syria for TPS three times.
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              processes.
                                                                                                           Individuals who have a pending Syria               Most recently, in 2016, former Secretary
                                                Table of Abbreviations                                  TPS application will not need to file a               Johnson both extended Syria’s
                                                BIA—Board of Immigration Appeals                        new Application for Temporary                         designation and redesignated Syria for
                                                DHS—Department of Homeland Security                                                                           TPS for 18 months through March 31,
                                                                                                        Protected Status (Form I–821). DHS
                                                EAD—Employment Authorization Document                                                                         2018. See Extension and Redesignation
                                                                                                        provides additional instructions in this
                                                FNC—Final Nonconfirmation                                                                                     of Syria for Temporary Protected Status,
                                                                                                        Notice for individuals whose TPS
                                                Government—U.S. Government                                                                                    81 FR 50533 (Aug. 1, 2016).
                                                IJ—Immigration Judge
                                                                                                        applications remain pending and who
                                                INA—Immigration and Nationality Act                     would like to obtain an EAD valid                     What authority does the Secretary have
                                                IER—U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights             through September 30, 2019. There are                 to extend the designation of Syria for
                                                  Division, Immigrant and Employee Rights               approximately 7,000 current                           TPS?
                                                  Section (IER)                                         beneficiaries under Syria’s TPS                          Section 244(b)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C.
                                                SAVE—USCIS Systematic Alien Verification                designation                                           1254a(b)(1), authorizes the Secretary,
                                                  for Entitlements Program
                                                Secretary—Secretary of Homeland Security                What is Temporary Protected Status                    after consultation with appropriate
                                                TNC—Tentative Nonconfirmation                           (TPS)?                                                agencies of the U.S. Government
                                                TPS—Temporary Protected Status                                                                                (Government), to designate a foreign
                                                                                                          • TPS is a temporary immigration                    state (or part thereof) for TPS if the
                                                TTY—Text Telephone
                                                                                                        status granted to eligible nationals of a             Secretary determines that certain
                                                USCIS—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
                                                  Services                                              country designated for TPS under the                  country conditions exist.1 The Secretary
                                                                                                        Immigration and Nationality Act (INA),                may then grant TPS to eligible nationals
                                                   Through this Notice, DHS sets forth                  or to eligible persons without
                                                procedures necessary for eligible                                                                             of that foreign state (or eligible aliens
                                                                                                        nationality who last habitually resided               having no nationality who last
                                                nationals of Syria (or aliens having no                 in the designated country.                            habitually resided in the designated
                                                nationality who last habitually resided                   • During the TPS designation period
                                                in Syria) to re-register for TPS and to                                                                       country). See INA section 244(a)(1)(A),
                                                                                                        and so long as a TPS beneficiary
                                                apply for renewal of their EADs with                                                                          8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(1)(A).
                                                                                                        continues to meet the requirements of                    At least 60 days before the expiration
                                                USCIS. Re-registration is limited to                    TPS, he or she is eligible to remain in
                                                persons who have previously registered                                                                        of a country’s TPS designation or
                                                                                                        the United States, may not be removed,                extension, the Secretary, after
                                                for TPS under the designation of Syria                  and is authorized to work and obtain an
                                                and whose applications have been                                                                              consultation with appropriate
                                                                                                        EAD.
                                                granted. Certain individuals may be                       • TPS beneficiaries may also apply
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                                1 As of March 1, 2003, in accordance with section
                                                eligible to file a late initial application             for and be granted travel authorization               1517 of title XV of the Homeland Security Act of
                                                for TPS if they meet the conditions                     as a matter of discretion.                            2002, Public Law 107–296, 116 Stat. 2135, any
                                                described in 8 CFR 244.2(f)(2). In                        • The granting of TPS does not result               reference to the Attorney General in a provision of
                                                addition to meeting other eligibility                   in or lead to lawful permanent resident               the INA describing functions transferred from the
                                                                                                                                                              Department of Justice to DHS ‘‘shall be deemed to
                                                criteria, initial applicants for TPS under              status.                                               refer to the Secretary’’ of Homeland Security. See
                                                this extension must demonstrate that                      • To qualify for TPS, beneficiaries                 6 U.S.C. 557 (codifying the Homeland Security Act
                                                they have been continuously residing in                 must meet the eligibility standards at                of 2002, tit. XV, section 1517).



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   19:25 Mar 02, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00072   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\05MRN1.SGM   05MRN1


                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2018 / Notices                                               9331

                                                Government agencies, must review the                       After nearly seven years of armed                  percent increase in the consumer food
                                                conditions in a foreign state designated                conflict, over half of Syria’s pre-war                price index between 2010 and 2016, 90
                                                for TPS to determine whether the                        population has been forced to flee from               percent of Syrian households now
                                                conditions for the TPS designation                      their homes. There are 11.5 million                   spend over half of their income on food,
                                                continue to be met. See INA section                     displaced Syrians in the region, both                 compared with 25 percent before the
                                                244(b)(3)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). If               inside Syria and in neighboring                       crisis.
                                                the Secretary does not determine that a                 countries. The United Nations High                       As of March 2017, 51 percent of
                                                foreign state no longer meets the                       Commissioner for Refugees has reported                Syrians lacked regular access to the
                                                conditions for TPS designation, the                     over 1,240,000 civilian displacements in              public water system, relying instead on
                                                designation will be extended for an                     the last 12 months alone. Every year of               unregulated systems not tested for water
                                                additional period of 6 months or, in the                the conflict has seen a massive growth                purity. Schools and hospitals are
                                                Secretary’s discretion, 12 or 18 months.                in refugees. In July 2012, there were                 significantly impacted by the lack of
                                                See INA section 244(b)(3)(A), (C), 8                    100,000 refugees. One year later, there               basic levels of sanitation, as well as the
                                                U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A), (C). If the                      were 1.5 million. As of January 2018,                 destruction of many facilities. Water
                                                Secretary determines that the foreign                   there were over 5.4 million Syrian                    shortages, particularly in Damascus,
                                                state no longer meets the conditions for                refugees in the region.                               have exacerbated children’s
                                                TPS designation, the Secretary must                        Syria is experiencing a humanitarian               vulnerability to communicable diseases.
                                                terminate the designation. See INA                      crisis, with over 73% of the Syrian                   In 2016, nearly half of Syria’s current
                                                section 244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C.                          population in need of assistance. The                 population suffered from the use of
                                                1254a(b)(3)(B).                                         humanitarian situation is particularly                water as a weapon of war due to
                                                                                                        severe in areas besieged by the SARG.                 deliberate water cuts by warring
                                                Why is the Secretary extending the TPS                  For example, an estimated 400,000                     factions.
                                                designation for Syria through                           civilians in Eastern Ghouta have been                    Syria’s medical system is in crisis.
                                                September 30, 2019?                                     pushed to the brink of famine since                   More than half of public hospitals and
                                                   DHS has reviewed conditions in                       March 2017, when the government                       primary health centers have closed or
                                                Syria. Based on the review, including                   tightened its siege of the Damascus                   are only partially functioning, and 11.5
                                                input received from other U.S.                          suburb. The Syrian regime adds to this                million Syrians, including nearly 5
                                                Government agencies, the Secretary has                  suffering by regularly bombing and                    million children, do not have access to
                                                determined that an 18-month extension                   firing artillery and rockets into Eastern             health care. SARG forces target Syrian
                                                is warranted because the ongoing armed                  Ghouta. Malnutrition rates there are the              medical personnel and facilities as part
                                                conflict and extraordinary and                          highest seen so far in Syria since the                of their military strategy. Physicians for
                                                temporary conditions that prompted                      beginning of the crisis. In a December                Human Rights has estimated that 98
                                                Syria’s 2016 redesignation for TPS                      10, 2017 statement, the United Nations                percent of doctors have been killed or
                                                persist.                                                Children’s Fund called for the                        displaced in Aleppo. Outbreaks of
                                                   Syria is engulfed in an ongoing civil                immediate evacuation of scores of sick                preventable diseases are on the rise,
                                                war marked by brutal violence against                   children from Eastern Ghouta. The U.S.                including polio, which had been
                                                civilians, egregious human rights                       Mission to the United Nations has                     eradicated in Syria prior to the ongoing
                                                violations and abuses, and a                            decried the situation in Eastern Ghouta               conflict.
                                                humanitarian disaster on a devastating                  as ‘‘the latest version of the Assad                     Facing troop shortages after years of
                                                scale across the country. Beginning in                  regime’s despicable ‘starve and                       conflict, the Syrian military is
                                                March 2011, the Syrian Arab Republic                    surrender’ strategy.’’ Although 29                    increasingly relying on forced
                                                Government (SARG) mobilized the                         critically-ill civilians were evacuated in            conscription to fill its ranks, launching
                                                military to violently suppress citizens                 late December 2017, the Department of                 large-scale arrests of military-age men
                                                advocating for greater political                        State condemned the SARG for its                      through raids and checkpoints. In
                                                freedoms, initiating a brutal crackdown,                ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid to               December 2016, SARG forces arrested
                                                and employing excessive force against                   the besieged area, where as of February               and conscripted civilians fleeing rebel-
                                                civilians, including arbitrary executions,              2018 hundreds still awaited medical                   held areas of Aleppo. In September
                                                killing and persecution of protestors and               evacuation, and many had died as they                 2017, the Syrian Network for Human
                                                members of the media, arbitrary                         waited. Since early 2018, a new                       Rights reported ‘‘almost daily raiding
                                                detentions, disappearances, torture, and                campaign of SARG airstrikes targeting                 and arrest campaigns’’ focusing on
                                                ill-treatment in an effort to retain                    major roads and hospitals has killed                  males aged 18–42 years old for the
                                                control of the country. Since the                       hundreds of civilians in Eastern Ghouta.              purpose of military conscription.
                                                beginning of the conflict, as many as                      In northwestern Idlib province, a                  Numerous factions fighting the Syrian
                                                500,000 Syrians are dead or missing.                    SARG offensive initiated in late                      regime also forcibly recruit civilians,
                                                The SARG and its allies continue to                     December 2017 further threatens the                   including children, to serve in combat
                                                wage a brutal war resulting in                          safety and security of up to one million              roles. The self-described Islamic State of
                                                significant civilian casualties. On April               internally displaced civilians. As                    Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has the greatest
                                                4, 2017, the Syrian military used                       frequent airstrikes have forced civilians             reliance on child soldiers in Syria.
                                                chemical weapons on the village of                      to evacuate the southern areas of Idlib,              Former ISIS child soldiers have
                                                Khan Sheikhoun.                                         tens of thousands of newly displaced                  described children as young as twelve
                                                   The SARG’s use of barrel bombs                       Syrians have amassed along the Turkish                being used as suicide bombers and
                                                against civilians is an ongoing
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                        border seeking assistance.                            children as young as six assisting in
                                                occurrence in major population centers,                    Over 9 million Syrians are in need of              Islamic State executions.
                                                with thousands of bombs dropped in                      emergency food assistance. As of                         Despite these circumstances, there
                                                2016 and 2017. Syrian regime forces                     September 2017, the United Nations                    have been incremental improvements in
                                                dropped 613 barrel bombs in November                    World Food Program assessed that food                 stability in Syria. In a January 17, 2018
                                                2017 alone, according to monthly                        production in Syria was at an all-time                speech, Secretary of State Tillerson
                                                reporting statistics from the Syrian                    low and that the situation was showing                noted that ISIS is substantially, but not
                                                Network for Human Rights.                               no sign of improving. Due to an 800                   completely defeated, although it


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   19:25 Mar 02, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00073   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\05MRN1.SGM   05MRN1


                                                9332                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2018 / Notices

                                                continues to wage an insurgency that                    September 30, 2019. See INA section                   your employment authorization
                                                poses a threat to the Syrian people. He                 244(b)(3)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(C).                documentation and to ensure that you
                                                highlighted significant gains made in                                                                         receive your new EAD by September 27,
                                                                                                        Notice of Extension of the TPS
                                                combatting the terrorist organization,                                                                        2018.
                                                                                                        Designation of Syria                                    If you are seeking an EAD with your
                                                including the liberation of Raqqa (ISIS’s
                                                self-declared capital) and the vast                       By the authority vested in me as                    re-registration for TPS, please submit
                                                majority of Syrian territory once held by               Secretary under INA section 244, 8                    both the Form I–821 and Form I–765
                                                ISIS. Secretary Tillerson highlighted the               U.S.C. 1254a, I have determined, after                together. If you are unable to pay the
                                                ‘‘catastrophic state of affairs . . . related           consultation with the appropriate                     application fee and/or biometric
                                                to the continued lack of security and                   Government agencies, the conditions                   services fee, you may complete a
                                                legitimate governance in Syria,’’ and                   that supported Syria’s 2016                           Request for Fee Waiver (Form I–912) or
                                                acknowledged the essential role of a                    redesignation for TPS continue to be                  submit a personal letter requesting a fee
                                                continued U.S. military presence in                     met. See INA section 244(b)(3)(A), 8                  waiver with satisfactory supporting
                                                Syria to cement gains and help bring an                 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). On the basis of                documentation. For more information
                                                end to the civil war.                                   this determination, I am extending the                on the application forms and fees for
                                                   Secretary Tillerson related that U.S.                existing designation of TPS for Syria for             TPS, please visit the USCIS TPS web
                                                efforts have helped tens of thousands of                18 months, from April 1, 2018, through                page at http://www.uscis.gov/tps. Fees
                                                Syrian refugees and hundreds of                         September 30, 2019. See INA section                   for the Form I–821, the Form I–765, and
                                                thousands of internally-displaced                       244(b)(1)(A), (b)(1)(C); 8 U.S.C.                     biometric services are also described in
                                                persons return to their homes.                          1254a(b)(1)(A), (b)(1)(C).                            8 CFR 103.7(b)(1)(i).
                                                According to the United Nations Office                                                                          Note: If you have a Form I–821 and/
                                                                                                        Kirstjen M. Nielsen,                                  or Form I–765 that was still pending as
                                                for the Coordination of Humanitarian                    Secretary.
                                                Affairs, the number of Syrians returning                                                                      of March 5, 2018, then you do not need
                                                to their homes in 2017 increased from                   Required Application Forms and                        to file either application again. If your
                                                2016, with 721,000 Syrians returning                    Application Fees To Register or Re-                   pending TPS application is approved,
                                                home in 2017 (655,000 of whom were                      register for TPS                                      you will be granted TPS through
                                                internally-displaced persons and                                                                              September 30, 2019. Similarly, if you
                                                                                                           To re-register for TPS based on the                have a pending TPS-related application
                                                approximately 66,000 of whom were                       designation of Syria, you must submit
                                                refugees), compared to 560,000                                                                                for an EAD that is approved, it will be
                                                                                                        an Application for Temporary Protected                valid through the same date.
                                                returning in 2016. However, new                         Status (Form I–821). You do not need to
                                                displacement and attempts to flee Syria                 pay the filing fee for the Form I–821.                Biometric Services Fee
                                                outstripped returns by 3 to 1 in 2017,                  See 8 CFR 244.17. You may be required                   Biometrics (such as fingerprints) are
                                                and the UN has stated that large-scale                  to pay the biometric services fee. Please             required for all applicants 14 years of
                                                returns now could have a catastrophic                   see additional information under the                  age or older. Those applicants must
                                                effect given the lack of safe conditions                ‘‘Biometric Services Fee’’ section of this            submit a biometric services fee. As
                                                and the availability of basic                           Notice.                                               previously stated, if you are unable to
                                                infrastructure.                                            Through operation of this Federal                  pay for the biometric services fee, you
                                                   Based upon this review and after                     Register notice, your existing EAD                    may apply for a fee waiver by
                                                consultation with appropriate                           issued under the TPS designation of                   completing a Form I–912 or by
                                                Government agencies, the Secretary has                  Syria with the expiration date of March               submitting a personal letter requesting a
                                                determined that:                                        31, 2018, is automatically extended for               fee waiver, and providing satisfactory
                                                   • The conditions supporting the 2016                 180 days, through September 27, 2018.                 supporting documentation. For more
                                                redesignation of Syria for TPS continue                 You do not need to apply for a new EAD                information on the biometric services
                                                to be met. See INA section 244(b)(3)(A)                 in order to benefit from this 180-day                 fee, please see the instructions to Form
                                                and (C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A) and (C).               automatic extension. However, if you                  I–821 or visit the USCIS website at
                                                   • There continues to be an ongoing                   want to obtain a new EAD valid through                http://www.uscis.gov. If necessary, you
                                                armed conflict in Syria and, due to such                September 30, 2019, you must file an                  may be required to visit an Application
                                                conflict, requiring the return of Syrian                Application for Employment                            Support Center (ASC) to have your
                                                nationals (or aliens having no                          Authorization (Form I–765) and pay the                biometrics captured. In such a case,
                                                nationality who last habitually resided                 Form I–765 fee (or request a fee waiver).             USCIS will send you an ASC scheduling
                                                in Syria) to Syria would pose a serious                 Note, if you do not want a new EAD,                   notice. For additional information on
                                                threat to their personal safety. See INA                you do not have to file Form I–765 or                 the USCIS biometrics screening process,
                                                section 244(b)(1)(A), 8 U.S.C.                          pay the Form I–765 fee. If you do not                 please see the USCIS Customer Profile
                                                1254a(b)(1)(A).                                         want to request a new EAD now, you                    Management Service Privacy Impact
                                                   • There continue to be extraordinary                 may also file Form I–765 at a later date              Assessment, available at www.dhs.gov/
                                                and temporary conditions in Syria that                  and pay the fee (or request a fee waiver),            privacy.
                                                prevent Syrian nationals (or aliens                     provided that you still have TPS or a
                                                having no nationality who last                          pending TPS application. But unless                   Re-filing a Re-registration TPS
                                                habitually resided in Syria) from                       you timely re-register and properly file              Application After Receiving a Denial of
                                                returning to Syria in safety, and it is not             an EAD application in accordance with                 a Fee Waiver Request
                                                contrary to the national interest of the                this Notice, the validity of your current                You should file as soon as possible
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                United States to permit Syrian TPS                      EAD will end on September 27, 2018.                   within the 60-day re-registration period
                                                beneficiaries to remain in the United                   You may file the application for a new                so USCIS can process your application
                                                States temporarily. See INA section                     EAD either prior to or after your current             and issue any EAD promptly. Properly
                                                244(b)(1)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(C).                  EAD has expired. However, you are                     filing early will also allow you to have
                                                   • The designation of Syria for TPS                   strongly encouraged to file your                      time to refile your application before the
                                                should be extended for an 18-month                      application for a new EAD as early as                 deadline, should USCIS deny your fee
                                                period, from April 1, 2018 through                      possible to avoid gaps in the validity of             waiver request. If, however, you receive


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   19:25 Mar 02, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00074   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\05MRN1.SGM   05MRN1


                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2018 / Notices                                              9333

                                                a denial of your fee waiver request and                 also find information on the acceptable                  You may present any document from
                                                are unable to refile by the re-registration             documentation and other requirements                  List A (which provides evidence of both
                                                deadline, you may still refile your Form                for applying or registering for TPS on                identity and employment
                                                I–821 with the biometrics fee. This                     the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/tps                authorization), or one document from
                                                situation will be reviewed to determine                 under ‘‘Syria.’’                                      List B (which provides evidence of your
                                                whether you established good cause for                                                                        identity) together with one document
                                                                                                        Employment Authorization Document
                                                late TPS re-registration. However, you                                                                        from List C (which is evidence of
                                                                                                        (EAD)
                                                are urged to refile within 45 days of the                                                                     employment authorization), or you may
                                                date on any USCIS fee waiver denial                     How can I get information on the status               present an acceptable receipt for List A,
                                                notice, if possible. See INA section                    of my EAD request?
                                                                                                                                                              List B, or List C documents as described
                                                244(c)(3)(C); 8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(3)(C); 8                   To get case status information about               in the Form I–9 Instructions. Employers
                                                CFR 244.17(b). For more information on                  your TPS application, including the
                                                good cause for late re-registration, visit                                                                    may not reject a document based on a
                                                                                                        status of a request for an EAD, you can               future expiration date. You can find
                                                the USCIS TPS web page at http://                       check Case Status Online, available at
                                                www.uscis.gov/tps. Following denial of                                                                        additional detailed information about
                                                                                                        http://www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS               Form I–9 on USCIS’ I–9 Central web
                                                your fee waiver request, you may also                   National Customer Service Center at
                                                refile your Form I–765 with fee either                                                                        page at http://www.uscis.gov/I-9Central.
                                                                                                        800–375–5283 (TTY 800–767–1833). If
                                                with your Form I–821 or at a later time,                your Form I–765 has been pending for                     An EAD is an acceptable document
                                                if you choose.                                          more than 90 days, and you still need                 under List A. If your EAD has an
                                                  Note: Although a re-registering TPS                   assistance, you may request an EAD                    expiration date of March 31, 2018, and
                                                beneficiary age 14 and older must pay the               inquiry appointment with USCIS by                     states A–12 or C–19 under Category, it
                                                biometric services fee (but not the Form I–             using the InfoPass system at https://                 has been extended automatically for 180
                                                821 fee) when filing a TPS re-registration              infopass.uscis.gov. However, we                       days by virtue of this Federal Register
                                                application, you may decide to wait to
                                                request an EAD. Therefore, you do not have
                                                                                                        strongly encourage you first to check                 notice and you may choose to present
                                                to file the Form I–765 or pay the associated            Case Status Online or call the USCIS                  this Notice along with your EAD to your
                                                Form I–765 fee (or request a fee waiver) at             National Customer Service Center for                  employer as proof of identity and
                                                the time of re-registration, and could wait to          assistance before making an InfoPass                  employment eligibility for Form I–9
                                                seek an EAD until after USCIS has approved              appointment.                                          through September 27, 2018, unless
                                                your TPS re-registration application. If you
                                                choose to do this, to re-register for TPS you           Am I eligible to receive an automatic                 your TPS has been withdrawn or your
                                                would only need to file the Form I–821 with             180-day extension of my current EAD                   request for TPS has been denied. If you
                                                the biometrics services fee, if applicable, (or         through September 27, 2018, using this                properly filed for a new EAD in
                                                request a fee waiver).                                  Federal Register notice?                              accordance with this Notice, you will
                                                                                                           Yes. Provided that you currently have              also receive Form I–797C, Notice of
                                                Mailing Information                                                                                           Action that will state your current A–12
                                                                                                        a Syria TPS-based EAD, this Federal
                                                  Mail your application for TPS to the                  Register notice automatically extends                 or C–19 coded EAD is automatically
                                                proper address in Table 1.                              your EAD by 180 days (through                         extended for 180 days. You may choose
                                                                                                        September 27, 2018) if you:                           to present your EAD to your employer
                                                     TABLE 1—MAILING ADDRESSES                             • Are a national of Syria (or an alien             together with this Form I–797C as a List
                                                                                                        having no nationality who last                        A document that provides evidence of
                                                If you . . .       Mail to . . .                        habitually resided in Syria); and                     your identity and employment
                                                                                                           • Have an EAD with a marked                        authorization for Form I–9 through
                                                Are sending        USCIS, Attn: TPS Syria,              expiration date of March 31, 2018,
                                                  through the       P.O. Box 6943, Chicago,                                                                   September 27, 2018, unless your TPS
                                                  U.S. Postal       IL 60680–6943.
                                                                                                        bearing the notation A–12 or C–19 on                  has been withdrawn or your request for
                                                  Service.                                              the face of the card under Category.                  TPS has been denied. See the subsection
                                                Are sending by     USCIS, Attn: TPS Syria, 131             Although this Federal Register notice
                                                                                                                                                              titled, ‘‘How do my employer and I
                                                  FedEx, UPS,       S. Dearborn Street, 3rd             automatically extends your EAD
                                                                                                        through September 27, 2018, you must                  complete the Employment Eligibility
                                                  or DHL.           Floor, Chicago, IL 60603–
                                                                    5517.                               re-register timely for TPS in accordance              Verification (Form I–9) using an
                                                                                                        with the procedures described in this                 automatically extended EAD for a new
                                                   If you were granted TPS by an                        Federal Register notice if you would                  job?’’ for further information.
                                                Immigration Judge (IJ) or the Board of                  like to maintain your TPS.                               To reduce confusion over this
                                                Immigration Appeals (BIA) and wish to                                                                         extension at the time of hire, you should
                                                                                                        When hired, what documentation may I
                                                request an EAD or are re-registering for                                                                      explain to your employer that your EAD
                                                                                                        show to my employer as evidence of
                                                the first time following a grant of TPS                                                                       has been automatically extended
                                                                                                        employment authorization and identity
                                                by an IJ or the BIA, please mail your                                                                         through September 27, 2018. You may
                                                                                                        when completing Employment
                                                application to the appropriate mailing                                                                        also provide your employer with a copy
                                                                                                        Eligibility Verification (Form I–9)?
                                                address in Table 1. When re-registering                                                                       of this Federal Register notice, which
                                                and/or requesting an EAD based on an                      You can find a list of acceptable
                                                                                                        document choices on the ‘‘Lists of                    explains that your EAD has been
                                                IJ/BIA grant of TPS, please include a                                                                         automatically extended. As an
                                                copy of the IJ or BIA order granting you                Acceptable Documents’’ for Form I–9.
                                                                                                        Employers must complete Form I–9 to                   alternative to presenting evidence of
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                TPS with your application. This will
                                                                                                        verify the identity and employment                    your automatically extended EAD, you
                                                help us verify your grant of TPS and
                                                process your application.                               authorization of all new employees.                   may choose to present any other
                                                                                                        Within three days of hire, employees                  acceptable document from List A, a
                                                Supporting Documents                                    must present acceptable documents to                  combination of one selection from List
                                                  The filing instructions on the Form I–                their employers as evidence of identity               B and one selection from List C, or a
                                                821 list all the documents needed to                    and employment authorization to satisfy               valid receipt.
                                                establish eligibility for TPS. You may                  Form I–9 requirements.


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   19:25 Mar 02, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00075   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\05MRN1.SGM   05MRN1


                                                9334                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2018 / Notices

                                                What documentation may I present to                     the current version of the form, Form I–                 b. Enter your Alien Number/USCIS
                                                my employer for Employment Eligibility                  9 (version 07/17/17 N), and attach it to              number or A-Number where indicated
                                                Verification (Form I–9) if I am already                 the previously completed Form I–9, if                 (your EAD and other documents from
                                                employed but my current TPS-related                     your original Form I–9 was a previous                 DHS will have your USCIS number or
                                                EAD is set to expire?                                   version. Your employer can check the                  A-Number printed on it; the USCIS
                                                   Even though your EAD has been                        USCIS’ I–9 Central web page at http://                number is the same as your A-Number
                                                automatically extended, your employer                   www.uscis.gov/I-9Central for the most                 without the A prefix).
                                                will need to ask you about your                         current version of Form I–9.                             2. For Section 2, employers should:
                                                continued employment authorization no                      Note that your employer may not                       a. Determine if the EAD is auto-
                                                later than before you start work on April               specify which List A or List C document               extended for 180 days by ensuring it is
                                                1, 2018. You will need to present your                  you must present and cannot reject an                 in category A–12 or C–19 and has a
                                                employer with evidence that you are                     acceptable receipt.                                   March 31, 2018 expiration date;
                                                                                                                                                                 b. Write in the document title;
                                                still authorized to work. Once                          Can my employer require that I provide                   c. Enter the issuing authority;
                                                presented, you may correct your                         any other documentation to prove my                      d. Provide the document number; and
                                                employment authorization expiration                     status, such as proof of my Syrian                       e. Insert September 27, 2018, the date
                                                date in Section 1 and your employer                     citizenship?                                          that is 180 days from the date the
                                                should correct the EAD expiration date                                                                        current EAD expires.
                                                in Section 2 of Form I–9. See the                         No. When completing Form I–9,
                                                                                                        including reverifying employment                         If you also filed for a new EAD, as
                                                subsection titled, ‘‘What corrections                                                                         proof of the automatic extension of your
                                                should my current employer and I make                   authorization, employers must accept
                                                                                                        any documentation that appears on the                 employment authorization, you may
                                                to Employment Eligibility Verification                                                                        present your expired or expiring EAD
                                                (Form I–9) if my employment                             Form I–9 ‘‘Lists of Acceptable
                                                                                                        Documents’’ that reasonably appears to                with category A–12 or C–19 in
                                                authorization has been automatically                                                                          combination with the Form I–797C
                                                extended?’’ for further information. You                be genuine and that relates to you, or an
                                                                                                        acceptable List A, List B, or List C                  Notice of Action showing that the EAD
                                                may show this Federal Register notice                                                                         renewal application was filed and that
                                                to your employer to explain what to do                  receipt. Employers need not reverify
                                                                                                        List B identity documents. Employers                  the qualifying eligibility category is
                                                for Form I–9 and to show that your EAD                                                                        either A–12 or C–19. Unless your TPS
                                                has been automatically extended                         may not request documentation that
                                                                                                        does not appear on the ‘‘Lists of                     has been withdrawn or your request for
                                                through September 27, 2018. Your                                                                              TPS has been denied, this document
                                                employer may need to re-inspect your                    Acceptable Documents.’’ Therefore,
                                                                                                        employers may not request proof of                    combination is considered an unexpired
                                                automatically extended EAD to check                                                                           EAD under List A. In these situations,
                                                the expiration date and Category code to                Syrian citizenship or proof of re-
                                                                                                        registration for TPS when completing                  to complete Section 2, employers
                                                record the updated expiration date on                                                                         should:
                                                your Form I–9 if your employer did not                  Form I–9 for new hires or reverifying
                                                                                                        the employment authorization of                          a. Determine if the EAD is auto-
                                                keep a copy of this EAD when you                                                                              extended for 180 days by ensuring:
                                                initially presented it. In addition, if you             current employees. If presented with
                                                                                                                                                                 • It is in category A–12 or C–19; and
                                                                                                        EADs that have been automatically
                                                properly filed your Form I–765 to obtain                                                                         • The category code on the EAD is the
                                                a new EAD, you will receive a Form I–                   extended, employers should accept such
                                                                                                                                                              same category code on Form I–797C,
                                                797C, Notice of Action. Form I–797C                     documents as a valid List A document
                                                                                                                                                              noting that employers should consider
                                                will state that your current A–12 or C–                 so long as the EAD reasonably appears
                                                                                                                                                              category codes A–12 and C–19 to be the
                                                19 coded EAD is automatically extended                  to be genuine and relates to the
                                                                                                                                                              same category code.
                                                for 180 days. You may present Form I–                   employee. Refer to the Note to                           b. Write in the document title;
                                                797C to your employer along with your                   Employees section of this Federal                        c. Enter the issuing authority;
                                                EAD to confirm that the validity of your                Register notice for important                            d. Provide the document number; and
                                                EAD has been automatically extended                     information about your rights if your                    e. Insert September 27, 2018, the date
                                                through September 27, 2018, unless                      employer rejects lawful documentation,                that is 180 days from the date the
                                                your TPS has been withdrawn or your                     requires additional documentation, or                 current EAD expires. Before the start of
                                                request for TPS has been denied. To                     otherwise discriminates against you                   work on September 28, 2018, employers
                                                reduce the possibility of gaps in your                  based on your citizenship or                          must reverify the employee’s
                                                employment authorization                                immigration status, or your national                  employment authorization in Section 3
                                                documentation, you should file your                     origin.                                               of Form I–9.
                                                Form I–765 to request a new EAD as                      How do my employer and I complete                     What corrections should my current
                                                early as possible during the re-                        Employment Eligibility Verification                   employer and I make to Employment
                                                registration period.                                    (Form I–9) using my automatically
                                                   The last day of the automatic EAD                                                                          Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) if my
                                                                                                        extended employment authorization for                 employment authorization has been
                                                extension is September 27, 2018. Before                 a new job?
                                                you start work on September 28, 2018,                                                                         automatically extended?
                                                your employer must reverify your                           When using an automatically                          If you presented a TPS-related EAD
                                                employment authorization. At that time,                 extended EAD to complete Form I–9 for                 that was valid when you first started
                                                you must present any document from                      a new job before September 28, 2018,                  your job and your EAD has now been
                                                                                                        you and your employer should do the                   automatically extended, your employer
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                List A or any document from List C on
                                                Form I–9 Lists of Acceptable                            following:                                            may need to re-inspect your current
                                                Documents, or an acceptable List A or                      1. For Section 1, you should:                      EAD if they do not have a copy of the
                                                List C receipt described in the Form I–                    a. Check ‘‘An alien authorized to work             EAD on file. You may, and your
                                                9 instructions to reverify employment                   until’’ and enter September 27, 2018,                 employer should, correct your
                                                authorization.                                          the automatically extended EAD                        previously completed Form I–9 as
                                                   By September 28, 2018, your                          expiration date as the ‘‘expiration date,             follows:
                                                employer must complete Section 3 of                     if applicable, mm/dd/yyyy’’; and                        1. For Section 1, you may:


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   19:25 Mar 02, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00076   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\05MRN1.SGM   05MRN1


                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2018 / Notices                                               9335

                                                  a. Draw a line through the expiration                 If I am an employer enrolled in E-Verify,             languages. Employers may also email
                                                date in Section 1;                                      how do I verify a new employee whose                  IER at IER@usdoj.gov.
                                                  b. Write September 27, 2018, the date                 EAD has been automatically extended?
                                                                                                                                                              Note to Employees
                                                that is 180 days from the date your
                                                                                                           Employers may create a case in E-                     For general questions about the
                                                current EAD expires above the previous
                                                                                                        Verify for a new employee using the                   employment eligibility verification
                                                date (March 31, 2018); and
                                                                                                        EAD bearing the expiration date March                 process, employees may call USCIS at
                                                  c. Initial and date the correction in the             31, 2018, or the Form I–797C receipt                  888–897–7781 (TTY 877–875–6028) or
                                                margin of Section 1.                                    information provided on Form I–9. In                  email USCIS at I–9Central@dhs.gov.
                                                  2. For Section 2, employers should:                   either case, the receipt number entered               Calls are accepted in English and
                                                  a. Determine if the EAD is auto-                      as the document number on Form I–9                    Spanish. Translation services in other
                                                extended for 180 days by ensuring:                      should be entered into the document                   languages including Arabic are also
                                                  • It is in category A–12 or C–19; and                 number field in E-Verify.                             available upon request. Employees or
                                                                                                                                                              applicants may also call the IER Worker
                                                  • Has an expiration date of March 31,                 If I am an employer enrolled in E-Verify,             Hotline at 800–255–7688 (TTY 800–
                                                2018.                                                   what do I do when I receive a ‘‘Work                  237–2515) for information regarding
                                                  b. Draw a line through the expiration                 Authorization Documents Expiration’’                  employment discrimination based upon
                                                date written in Section 2;                              alert for an automatically extended                   citizenship, immigration status, or
                                                                                                        EAD?                                                  national origin, including
                                                  c. Write September 27, 2018, the date
                                                that is 180 days from the date the                        E-Verify automated the verification                 discrimination related to Employment
                                                employee’s current EAD expires above                    process for employees whose TPS-                      Eligibility Verification (Form I–9) and E-
                                                the previous date (March 31, 2018); and                 related EAD was automatically                         Verify. The IER Worker Hotline
                                                                                                        extended. If you have employees who                   provides language interpretation in
                                                  d. Initial and date the correction in
                                                                                                        are TPS beneficiaries who provided a                  numerous languages.
                                                the Additional Information field in                                                                              To comply with the law, employers
                                                Section 2.                                              TPS-related EAD when they first started
                                                                                                                                                              must accept any document or
                                                  In the alternative, if you properly                   working for you, you will receive a
                                                                                                                                                              combination of documents from the
                                                applied for a new EAD, you may present                  ‘‘Work Authorization Documents
                                                                                                                                                              Lists of Acceptable Documents if the
                                                your expired EAD with category A–12                     Expiring’’ case alert when the auto-
                                                                                                                                                              documentation reasonably appears to be
                                                or C–19 in combination with the Form                    extension period for this EAD is about
                                                                                                                                                              genuine and to relate to the employee,
                                                I–797C Notice of Action. The Form I–                    to expire. This indicates that you should
                                                                                                                                                              or an acceptable List A, List B, or List
                                                797C should show that the EAD renewal                   update Form I–9 in accordance with the
                                                                                                                                                              C receipt as described in the
                                                application was filed and that the                      instructions above. Before such an
                                                                                                                                                              Employment Eligibility Verification
                                                qualifying eligibility category is either               employee starts to work on September
                                                                                                                                                              (Form I–9) Instructions. Employers may
                                                A–12 or C–19. To avoid confusion, you                   28, 2018, employment authorization
                                                                                                                                                              not require extra or additional
                                                may also provide your employer a copy                   must be reverified in Section 3.                      documentation beyond what is required
                                                of this Notice. Your employer should                    Employers should not use E-Verify for                 for Form I–9 completion. Further,
                                                correct your previously completed Form                  reverification.                                       employers participating in E-Verify who
                                                I–9 as follows:                                         Note to All Employers                                 receive an E-Verify case result of
                                                  For Section 2, employers should:                                                                            ‘‘Tentative Nonconfirmation’’ (TNC)
                                                                                                           Employers are reminded that the laws               must promptly inform employees of the
                                                  a. Determine if the EAD is auto-                      requiring proper employment eligibility
                                                extended for 180 days by ensuring:                                                                            TNC and give such employees an
                                                                                                        verification and prohibiting unfair                   opportunity to contest the TNC. A TNC
                                                  • It is in category A–12 or C–19; and                 immigration-related employment                        case result means that the information
                                                  • The category code on the EAD is the                 practices remain in full force. This                  entered into E-Verify from an
                                                same category code on Form I–797C,                      Federal Register notice does not                      employee’s Form I–9 differs from
                                                noting that employers should consider                   supersede or in any way limit                         Federal or state government records.
                                                category codes A–12 and C–19 to be the                  applicable employment verification                       Employers may not terminate,
                                                same category code.                                     rules and policy guidance, including                  suspend, delay training, withhold pay,
                                                  b. Draw a line through the expiration                 those rules setting forth reverification              lower pay, or take any adverse action
                                                date written in Section 2;                              requirements. For general questions                   against an employee because of the TNC
                                                                                                        about the employment eligibility                      while the case is still pending with E-
                                                  c. Write September 27, 2018, the date
                                                                                                        verification process, employers may call              Verify. A Final Nonconfirmation (FNC)
                                                that is 180 days from the date the
                                                                                                        USCIS at 888–464–4218 (TTY 877–875–                   case result is received when E-Verify
                                                employee’s current EAD expires above
                                                                                                        6028) or email USCIS at I9Central@                    cannot verify an employee’s
                                                the previous date (March 31, 2018); and
                                                                                                        dhs.gov. Calls and emails are accepted                employment eligibility. An employer
                                                  d. Initial and date the correction in                 in English and many other languages.                  may terminate employment based on a
                                                the Additional Information field in                     For questions about avoiding                          case result of FNC. Work-authorized
                                                Section 2.                                              discrimination during the employment                  employees who receive an FNC may call
                                                  Note: This is not considered a                        eligibility verification process (Form I–             USCIS for assistance at 888–897–7781
                                                reverification. Employers do not need to                9 and E-Verify), employers may call the               (TTY 877–875–6028). For more
                                                complete Section 3 until either the 180-day             U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights             information about E-Verify-related
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                extension has ended or the employee                     Division, Immigrant and Employee                      discrimination or to report an employer
                                                presents a new document to show continued               Rights Section (IER) (formerly the Office             for discrimination in the E-Verify
                                                employment authorization, whichever is
                                                sooner. By September 28, 2018, when the
                                                                                                        of Special Counsel for Immigration-                   process based on citizenship,
                                                employee’s automatically extended EAD has               Related Unfair Employment Practices)                  immigration status, or national origin,
                                                expired, employers must reverify the                    Employer Hotline at 800–255–8155                      contact IER’s Worker Hotline at 800–
                                                employee’s employment authorization in                  (TTY 800–237–2515). The IER offers                    255–7688 (TTY 800–237–2515).
                                                Section 3.                                              language interpretation in numerous                   Additional information about proper


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   19:25 Mar 02, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00077   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\05MRN1.SGM   05MRN1


                                                9336                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2018 / Notices

                                                nondiscriminatory Form I–9 and E-                       received and acted upon or will act                      We are soliciting comments on the
                                                Verify procedures is available on the                   upon a SAVE verification and you do                   proposed ICR that is described below.
                                                IER website at https://www.justice.gov/                 not believe the response is correct, you              We are especially interested in public
                                                ier and the USCIS website at http://                    may make an InfoPass appointment for                  comment addressing the following
                                                www.dhs.gov/E-verify.                                   an in-person interview at a local USCIS               issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to
                                                                                                        office. Detailed information on how to                the proper functions of the USGS; (2)
                                                Note Regarding Federal, State, and
                                                                                                        make corrections, make an appointment,                will this information be processed and
                                                Local Government Agencies (Such as
                                                                                                        or submit a written request to correct                used in a timely manner; (3) is the
                                                Departments of Motor Vehicles)
                                                                                                        records under the Freedom of                          estimate of burden accurate; (4) how
                                                  While Federal Government agencies                     Information Act can be found on the                   might the USGS enhance the quality,
                                                must follow the guidelines laid out by                  SAVE website at http://www.uscis.gov/                 utility, and clarity of the information to
                                                the Federal Government, state and local                 save.                                                 be collected; and (5) how might the
                                                government agencies establish their own                 [FR Doc. 2018–04454 Filed 3–1–18; 11:15 am]           USGS minimize the burden of this
                                                rules and guidelines when granting                      BILLING CODE 9111–97–P                                collection on the respondents, including
                                                certain benefits. Each state may have                                                                         through the use of information
                                                different laws, requirements, and                                                                             technology.
                                                determinations about what documents                     DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR                               Comments that you submit in
                                                you need to provide to prove eligibility                                                                      response to this notice are a matter of
                                                for certain benefits. Whether you are                   Geological Survey                                     public record. We will include or
                                                applying for a Federal, state, or local                                                                       summarize each comment in our request
                                                government benefit, you may need to                     [GX18DK20GUV0300; OMB Control Number                  to OMB to approve this ICR. Before
                                                provide the government agency with                      1028–0114]
                                                                                                                                                              including your address, phone number,
                                                documents that show you are a TPS                       Agency Information Collection                         email address, or other personal
                                                beneficiary and/or show you are                         Activities; National Ground-Water                     identifying information in your
                                                authorized to work based on TPS.                        Monitoring Network Cooperative                        comment, you should be aware that
                                                Examples of such documents are:                         Funding Application                                   your entire comment—including your
                                                  (1) Your current EAD;                                                                                       personal identifying information—may
                                                  (2) A copy of your Notice of Action                   AGENCY:   U.S. Geological Survey,                     be made publicly available at any time.
                                                (Form I–797C), the notice of receipt, for               Interior.                                             While you may ask us in your comment
                                                your application to renew your current                  ACTION: Notice of Information                         to withhold your personal identifying
                                                EAD providing an automatic extension                    Collection; request for comment.                      information from public review, we
                                                of your currently expired or expiring                                                                         cannot guarantee that we will be able to
                                                EAD;                                                    SUMMARY:   In accordance with the                     do so.
                                                  (3) A copy of your Notice of Action                   Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the                     Abstract: The USGS is working with
                                                (Form I–797C), the notice of receipt, for               U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is                      the Federal Advisory Committee on
                                                your Application for Temporary                          proposing to renew an information                     Water Information (ACWI) and its
                                                Protected Status for this re-registration;              collection (IC).                                      Subcommittee on Ground Water
                                                and                                                     DATES: Interested persons are invited to              (SOGW) to develop and administer a
                                                  (4) A copy of your Notice of Action                   submit comments on or before May 4,                   National Ground-Water Monitoring
                                                (Form I–797), the notice of approval, for               2018.                                                 Network (NGWMN). This network is
                                                a past or current Application for                                                                             required as part of Public Law 111–11,
                                                Temporary Protected Status, if you                      ADDRESSES:   Send your comments on the
                                                                                                                                                              Subtitle F—Secure Water: Section 9507,
                                                received one from USCIS.                                information collection request (ICR) by
                                                                                                                                                              42 U.S.C. 10367, ‘‘Water Data
                                                  Check with the government agency                      mail to the USGS, Information
                                                                                                                                                              Enhancement by United States
                                                regarding which document(s) the agency                  Collections Officer, 12201 Sunrise
                                                                                                                                                              Geological Survey.’’ The NGWMN will
                                                will accept. Some benefit-granting                      Valley Drive MS 159, Reston, VA 20192;
                                                                                                                                                              consist of an aggregation of wells from
                                                agencies use the USCIS Systematic                       or by email to gs-info_collections@
                                                                                                                                                              existing Federal, State, Tribal, and local
                                                Alien Verification for Entitlements                     usgs.gov. Please reference OMB Control
                                                                                                                                                              groundwater monitoring networks. To
                                                (SAVE) program to confirm the current                   Number 1028–0114 in the subject line of
                                                                                                                                                              support data providers for the NGWMN,
                                                immigration status of applicants for                    your comments.
                                                                                                                                                              the USGS will be providing funding
                                                public benefits. In most cases, SAVE                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To                   through cooperative agreements to
                                                provides an automated electronic                        request additional information about                  water-resource agencies that collect
                                                response to benefit-granting agencies                   this ICR, contact Daryll Pope by email                groundwater data. The USGS will be
                                                within seconds, but, occasionally,                      at dpope@usgs.gov, or by telephone at                 soliciting applications for funding that
                                                verification can be delayed. You can                    (609) 771–3933.                                       will request information from the
                                                check the status of your SAVE                           SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the                    Agency collecting the data. Elements
                                                verification by using CaseCheck at the                  USGS, in accordance with the                          will include contact information (phone
                                                following link: https://save.uscis.gov/                 Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,                      number and email address), and a
                                                casecheck/, then by clicking the ‘‘Check                provide the general public and other                  proposal describing their proposed work
                                                Your Case’’ button. CaseCheck is a free                 Federal agencies with an opportunity to               in support of the NGWMN. The
                                                service that lets you follow the progress               comment on proposed, revised, and                     proposal will describe the groundwater
                                                of your SAVE verification using your                    continuing collections of information.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                              networks to be included in the
                                                date of birth and one immigration                       This helps us assess the impact of our                NGWMN, the purpose of the networks,
                                                identifier number. If an agency has                     information collection requirements and               and the Principal aquifers that are
                                                denied your application based solely or                 minimize the public’s reporting burden.               monitored. Proposals may include work
                                                in part on a SAVE response, the agency                  It also helps the public understand our               to become a new data provider to the
                                                must offer you the opportunity to appeal                information collection requirements and               NGWMN, support for maintaining
                                                the decision in accordance with the                     provide the requested data in the                     connections to agency databases, and
                                                agency’s procedures. If the agency has                  desired format.                                       work to enhance NGWMN sites


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   19:25 Mar 02, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00078   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\05MRN1.SGM   05MRN1



Document Created: 2018-03-03 02:45:45
Document Modified: 2018-03-03 02:45:45
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesExtension of Designation of Syria for TPS: The 18-month extension of the TPS designation of Syria is effective April 1, 2018, and will remain in effect through September 30, 2019. The 60-day re- registration period runs from March 5, 2018 through May 4, 2018. (Note: It is important for re-registrants to timely re-register during this 60-day period and not to wait until their EADs expire.)
Contact<bullet> You may contact Samantha Deshommes, Branch Chief, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20529-2060; or by phone at 800-375-5283.
FR Citation83 FR 9329 
RIN Number1615-ZB72

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR