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[Federal Register: May 5, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 86)] [Notices] [Page 23744-23747] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr05my03-90] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services [CIS No. 2269-03] RIN 1615-AA04 Extension of the Designation of Honduras Under Temporary Protected Status Program; Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documentation for Hondurans AGENCY: Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Homeland Security. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The designation of Honduras under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Program will expire on July 5, 2003. This notice extends the Secretary of Homeland Security's designation of Honduras for 18 months until January 5, 2005, and sets forth procedures necessary for nationals of Honduras (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras) with TPS to re-register and to apply for an extension of their employment authorization documentation for the additional 18-month period. Re-registration is limited to persons who registered under the initial designation (which ended on August 20, 1999) and also timely re-registered under the extensions of designation. Certain nationals of Honduras (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras) who previously have not applied for TPS may be eligible to apply under the late initial registration provisions. Given the large number of Hondurans affected by this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognizes that many re- registrants will not receive their new Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) until after their current EADs expire on July 5, 2003. Accordingly, this notice automatically extends, until December 5, 2003, the validity of EADs issued pursuant to the Honduras TPS program, and explains how TPS beneficiaries or their employers may determine which EADs are automatically extended. EFFECTIVE DATES: The extension of Honduras's TPS designation is effective July 5, 2003, and will remain in effect until January 5, 2005. The 60-day re-registration period begins May 5, 2003 and will remain in effect until July 7, 2003. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naheed Qureshi, Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, 425 ``I'' Street, NW., Room 3040, Washington, DC 20536, telephone (202) 514-4754. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: What Authority Does the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Have To Extend the Designation of Honduras Under the TPS Program? On March 1, 2003, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) transferred from the Department of Justice to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Public Law 107-296. The responsibilities for administering the TPS program were transferred to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS). Under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act), 8 U.S.C. 1254a, the Secretary of DHS, after consultation with appropriate agencies of the Government, is authorized to designate a foreign state or (part thereof) for TPS. The Secretary of DHS may then grant TPS to eligible nationals of that foreign state (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in that state). Section 244(b)(3)(A) of the Act requires the Secretary of DHS to review, at least 60 days before the end of the TPS designation or any extension thereof, the conditions in a foreign state designated under the TPS program to determine whether the conditions for a TPS designation continue to be met and, if so, the length of an extension of TPS. (8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A)). If the Secretary of DHS determines that the foreign state no longer meets the conditions for TPS designation, he shall terminate the designation, as provided in section 244(b)(3)(B) of the Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B)). Finally, if the Secretary of DHS does not make the required determination prior to the 60-day period prescribed by statute, section 244(b)(3)(C) of the Act provides for an automatic extension of TPS for an additional period of 6 months (or, in the [[Page 23745]] discretion of the Secretary of DHS, a period of 12 or 18 months) (8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(C)). Why Did the Attorney General Designate Honduras for TPS? On January 5, 1999, the Attorney General designated Honduras under the TPS program for a period of 18 months based on the severe flooding and mudslides caused by Hurricane Mitch (64 FR 524). The fierce storm that swept through the country killed more than 5,000 people, left 440,000 people homeless, and washed away roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals (See BCIS Resource Information Center Report (April 2000)). Following the initial designation, the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and State (DOS) kept a close watch over the progress of reconstruction in Honduras.. Given the amount of reconstruction necessary, the Attorney General extended the Honduras TPS designation three times, on May 11, 2000, (65 FR 30438), May 8, 2001, (66 FR 23269), and May 3, 2002 (67 FR 22451). Each decision to extend the TPS designation was made on the determination that the conditions that warranted TPS designation initially continued to exist. Why Did the Secretary of DHS Decide To Extend the TPS Designation for Honduras? After the extension of Honduras' TPS designation on May 3, 2002, DHS and DOS have continued to monitor the conditions in that country. Prior to making his decision to extend the Honduras TPS designation, the Secretary of DHS consulted with relevant government agencies to determine whether conditions warranting the TPS designation continue to exist in Honduras. Although there has been significant progress in reconstruction efforts, recent droughts as well as flooding from Hurricane Michelle in 2001 have added to the humanitarian, economic, and social problems initially brought on by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. The slow recovery continues to make the country unable, temporarily, to handle the return of approximately 87,000 nationals with TPS at this time. This assessment is consistent with the Department of State report finding that although a significant amount of reconstruction has been completed since Hurricane Mitch, Honduras is, ``seriously affected by a drought and Hurricane Michelle in 2001 causing further destruction and emergency conditions' and ``much remains to be done'' (Department of State Recommendation, March 25, 2003 (DOS Report)). Such repeated environmental catastrophes have interrupted Honduras' ability to recover from Hurricane Mitch and, as a result, the country continues to lack the needed stability and infrastructure to support the return of its nationals. The BCIS Resource Information Center confirms that a prolonged drought as well as flooding from Hurricane Michelle have compromised food security and disrupted reconstruction efforts (RIC Report 2003). Recent reports indicate that 38% of Hondurans suffer from long-term ``chronic'' malnutrition. Id. Furthermore, completion of water and sanitation projects has been delayed; the Government of Honduras reports than over 500 projects have not yet begun (DOS Report). In addition to the environmental setbacks, Honduras' reconstruction efforts have been hindered by delays in disbursements of aid needed to rebuild. As of June 2002, the European Union had provided less than 10% of its promised funding and less than 30% of all multilateral donations had been received and projects being funded by a number of non-U.S. donors are still underway. Id. For example, considerable work to repair damaged buildings and to construct new schools for relocated communities (RIC Report 2003). Furthermore, smaller roads and other transportation infrastructure have, generally, not undergone repair. Id. These setbacks, in addition to problems caused by the subsequent flooding and droughts, render Honduras unable to handle adequately the return of its nationals. Consequently, the conditions under which Honduras was designated for TPS still exist. Based on this review, the Secretary of DHS, after consultation with appropriate Government agencies, finds that the conditions that prompted designation of Honduras under the TPS program continue to be met (8 U.S.C.1254a(b)(3)(C)). There continues to be a substantial, but temporary, disruption of living conditions in Honduras as the result of an environmental disaster, and Honduras continues to be unable, temporarily, to handle adequately the return of its nationals (8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(B)(i)-(ii)). On the basis of these findings, the Secretary of DHS concludes that the TPS designation for Honduras should be extended for an additional 18-month period. If I Currently Have TPS Through the Honduras TPS Program, Do I Still Re-Register for TPS? Yes. If you already have received TPS benefits through the Honduras TPS program, your benefits will expire on July 5, 2003. Accordingly, individual TPS beneficiaries must comply with the re-registration requirements described below in order to maintain their TPS benefits through July 5, 2004. TPS benefits include temporary protection against removal from the United States, as well as work authorization, during the TPS designation period and any extension thereof (8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(1)). If My Initial Honduras TPS Application Is Pending, Do I Still Re- Register for TPS? Yes. If your initial TPS application is still pending approval, you must re-register for TPS during the re-registration period in order to be eligible for this extension. See the following re-registration instructions. If I Am Currently Registered for TPS, How Do I Re-Register for an Extension? All persons previously granted TPS under the Honduras program who wish to maintain such status must apply for an extension by filing (1) a Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, without the filing fee; (2) a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization; and (3) two identification photographs (1\1/2\ inches x 1\1/2\ inches). Applications submitted without the required fee and/or photos will be rejected. See the chart below to determine whether you must submit the one hundred and twenty dollar ($120) filing fee with Form I-765. Applicants for an extension of TPS benefits do not need to be re- fingerprinted and thus need not pay the $50 fingerprint fee. Children beneficiaries of TPS who have reached the age of fourteen (14) but were not previously fingerprinted must pay the fifty dollar ($50) fingerprint fee with the application for extension. Submit the completed forms and applicable fee, if any, to the BCIS service center having jurisdiction over your place of residence during the 60-day re-registration period that begins May 5, 2003 and ends July 7, 2003 (inclusive of such end date). [[Page 23746]] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If-- Then-- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ You are applying for employment You must complete and file the authorization until January 5, 2005. Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the $120 fee. You already have employment You must complete and file Form authorization or do not require I-765 with no fee.\1\ employment authorization. You are applying for employment You must complete and file: (1) authorization and are requesting a fee Form I-765 and (2) a fee waiver. waiver request and affidavit (and any other information) in accordance with 8 CFR 244.20. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ \1\ An applicant who does not seek employment authorization documentation does not need to submit the $120 fee, but must still complete and submit Form I-765 for data gathering purposes. How Does an Application for TPS Affect My Application for Asylum or Other Immigration Benefits? An application for TPS does not affect an application for asylum or any other immigration benefit, and vise versa. Denial of an application for asylum or any other immigration benefit does not affect an applicant's TPS eligibility, although the grounds for denying one form of relief may also be grounds for denying TPS. For example, a person who has been convicted of a particularly serious crime is not eligible for asylum or TPS (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(2); 8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(2)(B)(i)). Does This Extension Allow Nationals of Honduras (or Aliens Having No Nationality Who Last Habitually Resided in Honduras) Who Entered the United States After December 30, 1998, To File for TPS? No. This is a notice of an extension of TPS, not a notice of re- designation of Honduras under the TPS program. An extension of TPS does not change the required dates of continuous residence and continuous physical presence in the United States. This extension does not expand TPS availability to those who are not already TPS class members. To be eligible for benefits under this extension, nationals of Honduras (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras) must have resided continuously in the United States since December 30, 1998, and have been continuously physically present in the United States since January 5, 1999. What Is Late Initial Registration? Some persons may be eligible for late initial registration under 8 CFR 244.2(f)(2). To apply for late initial registration an applicant must: (1) Be a national of Honduras (or alien who has no nationality and who last habitually resided in Honduras); (2) Have been continuously physically present in the United States since January 5, 1999; (3) Have continuously resided in the United States since December 30, 1998; and (4) Be both admissible as an immigrant, except as provided under section 244(c)(2)(A) of the Act, and not ineligible under section 244(c)(2)(B) of the Act. Additionally, the applicant must be able to demonstrate that during the registration period from January 5, 1999, through August 20, 1999, he or she: (1) Was a nonimmigrant or had been granted voluntary departure status or any relief from removal; (2) Had an application for change of status, adjustment of status, asylum, voluntary departure, or any relief from removal or change of status pending or subject to further review or appeal; (3) Was a parolee or had a pending request for reparole; or (4) Was the spouse or child of an alien currently eligible to be a TPS registrant. An applicant for late initial registration must file an application for late registration within a 60-day period immediately following the expiration or termination of the conditions described above (8 CFR 244.2(g)). Why Is the Secretary of DHS Automatically Extending the Validity of EADs From July 5, 2003, to December 5, 2003? The Secretary of DHS has decided to extend automatically the validity of EADs to prevent a lapse in employment authorization documentation for qualified re-registrants during the time that re- registration applications are processed. Given the large number of Honduran TPS class members who are eligible for re-registration, re- registrants may receive their new EADs only after their current EADs have expired. To prevent a gap in employment authorization documentation for qualified re-registrants, the Secretary of DHS is extending automatically the validity of the applicable EADs for a period of 5 months, to December 5, 2003 (8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(2); 1254a(d)(1)-(2)). Who Is Eligible To Receive an Automatic Extension of His or Her EAD? To receive an automatic extension of his or her EAD, an individual must be a national of Honduras (or an alien having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras) who has applied for and received an EAD under the initial TPS designation for Honduras. This automatic extension is limited to EADs bearing an expiration date of July 5, 2003, and the notation: ``A-12'' or ``C-19'' on the face of the card under ``Category'' for EADs issued on Form I-766 or ``274A.12(A)(12)'' or ``274A.12(C)(19)'' on the face of the card under ``Provision of Law'' for EADs issued on Form I-688B. TPS applicants who have not yet received their initial or provisional EAD, including those who apply after the date of this notice but before the re-registration period closes on July 5, 2003, may receive an EAD that facially expires on July 5, 2003. Such an EAD is covered by the automatic extension described above. Must Qualified Individuals Apply for the Automatic Extension of Their TPS-Related EADs? No, qualified individuals do not have to apply for this automatic employment authorization extension to December 5, 2003. However, qualified individuals must re-register for TPS during the re- registration period that begins on May 5, 2003, and continues through, July 7, 2003, in order to be eligible for a new EAD that is valid until January 5, 2005. What Documents May a Qualified Individual Show to His or Her Employer as Proof of Employment Authorization and Identity When Completing the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9)? For completion of the Form I-9 at the time of hire or re- verification, qualified individuals who have received an extension of employment authorization by virtue of this Federal Register notice may present to their employer a TPS-related EAD as proof of identity and employment authorization until December 5, 2003. To minimize confusion over this extension at the time of hire or re-verification, qualified individuals may also present to their employer a copy of this Federal Register notice regarding the automatic [[Page 23747]] extension of employment authorization documentation to December 5, 2003. In the alternative, any legally acceptable document or combination of documents listed in List A, List B, or List C of the Form I-9 may be presented as proof of identity and employment eligibility; it is the choice of the employee. How May Employers Determine Which EADs That Have Been Automatically Extended Through December 5, 2003, Are Acceptable for Completion of the Form I-9? For purposes of verifying identity and employment eligibility or re-verifying employment eligibility on the Form I-9 until December 5, 2003, employers of Honduras TPS class members whose employment authorization has been automatically extended by this notice must accept an EAD that contains an expiration date of July 5, 2003, and that bears one of the following notations: ``A-12'' or ``C-19'' on the face of the card under ``Category'' for EADs issued on Form I-766; or, ``274A.12(A)(12)'' or ``274A.12(c)(19)'' on the face of the card under ``Provision of Law'' for EADs issued on Form I-688B. New EADs or extension stickers showing the December 5, 2003, expiration date will not be issued. Employers should not request proof of Honduran citizenship. Employers presented with an EAD that this Federal Register notice has extended automatically, that appears to be genuine and that relates to the employee should accept the document as a valid ``List A'' document and should not ask for additional Form I-9 documentation. This action by the Secretary of the DHS through this Federal Register notice does not affect the right of an employee to present any legally acceptable document as proof of identity and eligibility for employment. Employers are reminded that the laws prohibiting unfair immigration-related employment practices remain in full force. For questions, employers may call the BCIS' Office of Business Liaison Employer Hotline at 1-800-357-2099 to speak to a BCIS representative. Also, employers may call the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) Employer Hotline at 1-800-255-8155, or 1-800-362-2735 (TDD). Employees or applicants may call the OSC Employee Hotline at 1-800-255- 7688, or 1-800-237-2515 (TDD) for information regarding the automatic extension. Additional information is available on the OSC Web site at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc/index.html. What Happens When This Extension of TPS Expires on January 5, 2005? At least 60 days before this extension of TPS expires on January 5, 2005, the Secretary of DHS will review conditions in Honduras and determine whether the conditions for designation under the TPS program continue to be met at that time, or whether the TPS designation should be terminated. Notice of that determination, including the basis for the determination, will be published in the Federal Register. If the TPS designation is extended at that time, an alien who has received TPS benefits must re-register under the extension in order to maintain TPS benefits. If, however, the Secretary of DHS terminates the TPS designation, TPS beneficiaries will maintain the immigration status they had before TPS (unless that status had since expired or been terminated) or any other status they may have acquired while registered for TPS. Accordingly, if an alien had no lawful immigration status prior to receiving TPS and did not obtain any status during the TPS period, he or she will revert to that unlawful status upon termination of the TPS designation. Notice of Extension of Designation of Honduras Under the TPS Program By the authority vested in me as Secretary of DHS under sections 244(b)(1)(B), (b)(3)(A), and (b)(3)(C) of the Act, I have consulted with the appropriate government agencies and determine that the conditions that prompted designation of Honduras for TPS continue to be met (8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A)). Accordingly, I order as follows: (1) The designation of Honduras under section 244(b) of the Act is extended for an additional 18-month period from July 5, 2003, to January 5, 2005 (8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(C)). (2) There are approximately 87,000 nationals of Honduras (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras) who have been granted TPS and who are eligible for re-registration. (3) To maintain TPS, a national of Honduras (or an alien having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras) who received TPS during the initial designation period must re-register for TPS during the 60-day re-registration period from May 5, 2003 until July 7, 2003. (4) To re-register, the applicant must file the following: (1) Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status; (2) Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization; and (3) two identification photographs (1\1/2\ inches by 1\1/2\ inches). Applications submitted without the required fee and/or photos will be rejected. There is no fee for filing a Form I-821 filed as part of the re-registration application. If the applicant requests employment authorization, he or she must submit one hundred and twenty dollars ($120) or a properly documented fee waiver request, pursuant to 8 CFR 244.20, with the Form I-765. An applicant who does not request employment authorization must nonetheless file Form I-765 along with Form I-821, but is not required to submit the fee. The fifty-dollar ($50) fingerprint fee is required only for children beneficiaries of TPS who have reached the age of 14 but were not previously fingerprinted. Failure to re-register without good cause will result in the withdrawal of TPS (8 CFR 244.17(c)). Some persons who had not previously applied for TPS may be eligible for late initial registration under 8 CFR 244.2. (5) At least 60 days before this extension terminates on January 5, 2005, the Secretary will review the designation of Honduras under the TPS program and determine whether the conditions for designation continue to be met (8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A)). Notice of that determination, including the basis for the determination, will be published in the Federal Register (8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A)). (6) TPS-related Employment Authorization Documents that expire on July 5, 2003, are extended automatically until December 5, 2003, for qualified Hondurans. (7) Information concerning the extension of designation of Honduras under the TPS program will be available at local BCIS offices upon publication of this notice and on the BCIS Web site at http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/index.htm . Dated: April 29, 2003. Tom Ridge, Secretary of Homeland Security. [FR Doc. 03-10961 Filed 4-30-03; 10:31 am] BILLING CODE 4410-10-P

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