[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 190 (Monday, October 1, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59942-59943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23825]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
[DHS Docket No. ICEB-2012-0004]
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 October 1, 2012 and will remain in
effect through July 22, 2014.
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, September 15,
2010. The original notice was effective from September 15, 2010 until
July 22, 2011, with a subsequent notice providing for an 18-month
extension from July 22, 2011 until January 22, 2013. See 76 FR 28997,
May 19, 2011. Effective with this publication, suspension of the
requirements is extended for an additional 18 months, through July 22,
2014.
F-1 nonimmigrant students granted employment authorization through
the notice will continue to be deemed to be engaged in a ``full course
of study'' for the duration of their employment authorization, provided
they satisfy the minimum course load requirement described in 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 nonimmigrant 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. 1101(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 nonimmigrant 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.
Haiti continues to struggle, with many people still displaced as a
result of the earthquake. As Haiti rebuilds, the country continues to
experience significant difficulties in recovering. F-1 nonimmigrant
students whose country of citizenship is Haiti may depend on
[[Page 59943]]
money from relatives in Haiti who are themselves continuing to recover
from the earthquake.
The United States is committed to continuing to assist the people
of Haiti. DHS is therefore extending this employment authorization for
F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Haiti and who
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 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Haiti who
were lawfully present in the United States 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 such F-1
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. 2012-23825 Filed 9-28-12; 8:45 am]
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