[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 97 (Thursday, May 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28997-28998]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-12430]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
[DHS Docket No. ICEB-2011-0003]
RIN 1653-ZA01
Extension of Employment Authorization for Haitian F-1
Nonimmigrant Students Experiencing Severe Economic Hardship as a Direct
Result of the January 12, 2010 Earthquake in Haiti
AGENCY: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), DHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice informs the public of the extension of an earlier
notice, which suspended certain requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant
students whose country of citizenship is Haiti and who are experiencing
severe economic hardship as a direct result of the January 12, 2010
earthquake in Haiti. This notice extends the effective date of that
notice.
DATES: This notice is effective July 22, 2011 and will remain in effect
until January 22, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louis Farrell, Director, Student and
Exchange Visitor Program; MS 5600, U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement; 500 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20536-5600; (703)
603-3400. This is not a toll-free number. Program information can be
found at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
What action is DHS taking under this notice?
The Secretary of Homeland Security is exercising her authority
under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9) to extend the suspension of the applicability
of certain requirements governing on-campus and off-campus employment
for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Haiti and
who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the
January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti. See 75 FR 56120. The previous
notice was effective from September 15, 2010 until July 22, 2011.
Effective with this publication, suspension of the requirements is
extended 18 months, from July 22, 2011 until January 22, 2013.
F-1 students granted employment authorization through that notice
were deemed to be engaged in a ``full course of study'' for the
duration of their employment authorization, provided they satisfied the
minimum course load requirement described in 75 FR 56120. See 8 CFR
214.2(f)(6)(i)(F).
Who is covered under this action?
This notice applies exclusively to F-1 students whose country of
citizenship is Haiti and who were lawfully present in the United States
in F-1 nonimmigrant status on January 12, 2010 under section
101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C.
101(a)(15)(F)(i), and (1) Are enrolled in an institution that is
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified for enrollment of
F-1 students, (2) are currently maintaining F-1 status, and (3) are
experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the January
12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
This notice applies both to undergraduate and graduate students, as
well as elementary school, middle school, and high school students. The
notice, however, applies differently to elementary school, middle
school, and high school students (see the discussion published in 75 FR
56121 in the question, ``Does this notice apply to elementary school,
middle school, and high school students in F-1 status?'').
F-1 students covered by this notice who transfer to other academic
institutions that are SEVP-certified for enrollment of F-1 students
remain eligible for the relief provided by means of this notice.
Why is DHS taking this action?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took action to provide
temporary relief to F-1 students whose country of citizenship is Haiti
and experienced severe economic hardship as a result of the January 12,
2010 earthquake. See 75 FR 56120. It enabled these F-1 students to
obtain employment authorization, work an increased number of hours
while school was in session, and reduce their course load, while
continuing to maintain their F-1 student status. DHS also took action
to extend Temporary Protected Status to Haiti in response to the
January 12, 2010 earthquake. See 75 FR 3476.
Haiti has limited resources to cope with a natural disaster like
this earthquake, which was the strongest one to strike the island
nation in 200 years. The country's critical infrastructure was severely
damaged, and many government offices, schools, businesses, and
hospitals were completely destroyed. Haiti continues to deal with the
aftermath of the earthquake.
As Haiti continues to rebuild its infrastructure and economy, this
difficult period has affected students from Haiti studying in the
United States. Many of these students depend on money from relatives in
Haiti who are
[[Page 28998]]
themselves continuing to recover from the earthquake.
The U.S. is committed to continuing to assist the people of Haiti.
DHS is therefore extending this employment authorization for F-1
Haitian nonimmigrant students that are continuing to experience severe
economic hardship as a result of the earthquake.
How do I apply for an employment authorization under the circumstances
of this notice?
F-1 Haitian students who were lawfully present in the U.S. on
January 12, 2010 and are experiencing severe economic hardship as a
result of the earthquake may apply for employment authorization under
the guidelines described in 75 FR 56120. This notice extends the time
period during which F-1 Haitian students may seek employment
authorization due to the earthquake. It does not impose any new or
additional policies or procedures beyond those listed in the original
notice. All interested F-1 students should follow the instructions
listed in the original notice.
Janet Napolitano,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-12430 Filed 5-18-11; 8:45 am]
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