[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 108 (Thursday, June 5, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32481-32482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-13091]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 42
[Public Notice: 8755]
RIN 1400-AD52
Visas: Documentation of Immigrants Under the Immigration and
Nationality Act, as Amended
AGENCY: Department of State.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Violence Against Women and Department of
Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005, the Department of State amends the
immigrant visa classification table listed in the Department's
regulations to add a symbol for an immigrant visa issued to to an alien
who: is the parent of a current U.S.citizen, or the parent of a former
U.S. citizen who, within the two-year period prior to filing the
petition, lost or renounced U.S. citizenship status related to an
incident of domestic violence or died; is a person of good moral
character; is eligible to be classified as an immediate relative under
the Immigration and Nationality Act; resides, or has resided, with the
U.S. citizen daughter or son; demonstrates that he or she has been
battered or subject to extreme cruelty by the U.S. citizen daughter or
son; and has an approved petition from the Department of Homeland
Security.
DATES: This rule becomes effective June 5, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Taylor W. Beaumont, Department of
State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Visa Services, Legal
Affairs, Division of Legislation and Regulations, 600 19th Street NW.,
Washington, DC 20431, email ([email protected]).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 816 of the Violence Against Women
and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005, Title VIII of
Public Law 109-162, codified at 8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)(A)(vii), created an
immigrant visa classification for the parents of U.S. citizens, and the
parents of former U.S. citizens who, within the past two years, have
lost or renounced U.S. citizenship status related to an incident of
domestic violence or died.
The Department currently identifies applicants for this status
using the ``IB5'' symbol, an existing symbol used for parents of U.S.
citizens who are at least 21 years old. The unique IB5 classification
symbol will facilitate the Department's ability to identify applicants
for such status in various immigrant visa information databases.
Regulatory Findings
A. Administrative Procedure Act
Since this rule concerns the administration of visas, which is a
foreign affairs function of the United States, the Department publishes
this rule as a final rule pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1). In addition,
since this rule implements the provisions of the Violence Against Women
and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005, the Department
finds that notice and public comment on this rule are unnecessary,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). Accordingly, this rule is effective
immediately.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act/Executive Order 13272: Small Business
Because this rule is exempt from notice and comment rulemaking
under 5 U.S.C. 553, it is exempt from the regulatory flexibility
analysis requirements set forth at sections 603 and 604 of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 603 and 604). Nonetheless,
consistent with section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 605(b)), the Department has reviewed this regulation and
certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities.
C. The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, Public Law
104-4, 109 Stat. 48, 2 U.S.C. 1532, generally requires agencies to
prepare a statement before proposing any rule that may result in an
annual expenditure of $100 million or more by State, local, or tribal
governments, or by the private sector. This rule will not result in any
such expenditure, nor will it significantly or uniquely affect small
governments.
D. The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
This rule is not a major rule as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804, for
purposes of congressional review of agency rulemaking under the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104-
121. This rule would not result in an annual effect on the economy of
$100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or
significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment,
productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based
companies to compete with foreign-based companies in domestic and
export markets.
E. Executive Order 12866
The Department does not consider this rule to be a ``significant
regulatory action'' within the scope of section 3(f) of Executive Order
12866. Nonetheless, the Department has reviewed the rule to ensure its
consistency with the regulatory philosophy and principles set forth in
the Executive Order.
F. Executive Order 13563
The Department of State has considered this rule in light of
Executive Order 13563 and affirms that this regulation is consistent
with the guidance therein.
G. Executive Orders 12372 and 13132: Federalism
This regulation will not have substantial direct effects on the
states, on the relationship between the national government and the
states, or the distribution of power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government. Nor will the rule have federalism
implications warranting the application of Executive Orders 12372 and
13132.
H. Executive Order 12988: Civil Justice Reform
The Department has reviewed the regulations in light of sections
3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988 to eliminate ambiguity,
minimize litigation, establish clear legal standards, and reduce
burden.
I. Executive Order 13175
The Department of State has determined that this rulemaking will
not have tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct
compliance costs on Indian tribal governments, and will not pre-empt
tribal law. Accordingly, the requirements of Executive Order 13175 do
not apply to this rulemaking.
[[Page 32482]]
J. Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule does not impose information collection requirements under
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 35.
List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 42
Aliens, Foreign officials, Immigration, Passports and visas.
22 CFR Part 42 is amended as follows:
PART 42--VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION
AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED
0
1. The authority citation for part 42 is amended to read as follows:
Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1104 and 1182; Pub. L. 105-277; Pub. L.
108-449; 112 Stat. 2681-795 through 2681-801; The Convention on
Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry
Adoption (done at the Hague, May 29, 1993), S. Treaty Doc. 105-51
(1998), 1870 U.N.T.S. 167 (Reg. No. 31922 (1993)); 42 U.S.C. 14901-
14954, Pub. L. 106-279; Pub. L. 111-287; 8 U.S.C. 1101, 124 Stat.
3058; 8 U.S.C. 1154, Pub. Law 109-162.
0
2. Section 42.11 is amended by adding an entry for ``IB5'' after
``IB3'' under ``Immediate Relatives'' in the ``Immigrants'' table to
read as follows:
Sec. 42.11 Classification symbols.
* * * * *
Immigrants
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Symbol Class Section of law
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Immediate Relatives
......................................
* * * * * * *
IB5............................................ Self-petition Parent of U.S. Citizen.. 204(a)(1)(A)(vii)
* * * * * * *
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Dated: May 12, 2014.
Michele T. Bond,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2014-13091 Filed 6-4-14; 8:45 am]
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