Extension of the Designation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status

Published date23 September 2019
Citation84 FR 49751
Record Number2019-20457
SectionNotices
CourtU.s. Citizenship And Immigration Services
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 184 (Monday, September 23, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 184 (Monday, September 23, 2019)]
                [Notices]
                [Pages 49751-49757]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2019-20457]
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                DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
                U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
                [CIS No. 2649-20]
                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.
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                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 October 1, 2019, through March 31, 2021. The
                extension allows currently eligible TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS
                through March 31, 2021, 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 March 31, 2021 expiration
                date to eligible beneficiaries under Syria's TPS designation 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 October 1, 2019,
                and will remain in effect through March 31, 2021. The 60-day re-
                registration period runs from September 23, 2019 through November 22,
                2019. (Note: It is important for re-registrants to timely re-register
                during this 60-day period and not to wait until their EADs expire.)
                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, by mail at 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20529-
                2060, or by phone at 800-375-5283.
                 For further information on TPS, including guidance on the
                re-registration process and additional information on eligibility,
                please visit the USCIS TPS web page at http://www.uscis.gov/tps. You
                can find specific information about this extension of Syria's TPS
                designation by
                [[Page 49752]]
                selecting ``Syria'' from the menu on the left side of the TPS web page.
                 If you have additional questions about TPS, 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 call our
                USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283.
                 Applicants seeking information about the status of their
                individual cases may check Case Status Online, available on the USCIS
                website at http://www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS Contact Center at
                800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833).
                 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
                CFR--Code of Federal Regulations
                DHS--U.S. Department of Homeland Security
                DOS--U.S. Department of State
                EAD--Employment Authorization Document
                FNC--Final Nonconfirmation
                FR--Federal Register
                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
                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
                U.S.C.--United States Code
                 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.
                 For individuals who have already been granted TPS under Syria's
                designation, the 60-day re-registration period runs from September 23,
                2019 through November 22, 2019. USCIS will issue new EADs with a March
                31, 2021 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
                all re-registrants may not receive new EADs before their current EADs
                expire on September 30, 2019. Accordingly, through this Federal
                Register Notice, DHS automatically extends the validity of EADs issued
                under the TPS designation of Syria for 180 days, through March 28,
                2020. Additionally, individuals who have EADs with an expiration date
                of March 31, 2018, and who applied for a new EAD during the last re-
                registration period but have not yet received their new EADs are also
                covered by this automatic extension. These individuals may show their
                EAD indicating a March 31, 2018, expiration date and their EAD
                application receipt (Notice of Action, Form I-797C) that notes the
                application was received on or after March 5, 2018, to employers as
                proof of continued employment authorization through March 28, 2020.
                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, E-Verify, and USCIS
                Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) processes.
                 Individuals who have a Syria TPS Form I-821 and/or Form I-765 that
                was still pending as of September 23, 2019 do not need to file either
                application again. If the TPS application is approved, the individual
                will be granted TPS through March 31, 2021. Similarly, if a pending
                TPS-related application for an EAD is approved, it will be valid
                through the same date. 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 INA, or to eligible
                persons without nationality who last habitually resided in the
                designated country.
                 During the TPS designation period, TPS beneficiaries are
                eligible to remain in the United States, may not be removed, and are
                authorized to obtain EADs so long as they continue to meet the
                requirements of TPS.
                 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 one of the following:
                 [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
                beyond 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 newly designated Syria
                for TPS three times. In 2016, former Secretary Johnson both extended
                Syria's designation and newly designated Syria for TPS for 18 months
                through March 30, 2018. See Extension and Redesignation of Syria for
                Temporary Protected Status, 81 FR 50533 (Aug. 1, 2016). Most recently,
                in 2018, former Secretary Nielsen extended Syria's designation for 18
                months, though September 30, 2019. See Extension of the Designation of
                Syria for Temporary Protected Status, 83 FR 9329 (March 5, 2018).
                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 decision to designate any foreign state (or part thereof)
                is a discretionary decision, and there is no judicial review of any
                determination with respect to the designation, or termination of or
                extension of a designation. The Secretary, in his discretion, may then
                grant TPS to eligible nationals of that foreign state (or eligible
                aliens having no
                [[Page 49753]]
                nationality who last habitually resided in the designated country). See
                INA section 244(a)(1)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(1)(A).
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                 \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).
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                 At least 60 days before the expiration of a country's TPS
                designation or extension, the Secretary, after consultation with
                appropriate Government agencies, must review the conditions in the
                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 the 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
                March 31, 2021?
                 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 supporting Syria's TPS designation remain.
                 Syria remains 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. The Syrian Arab Republic Government (SARG) continues to
                arbitrarily and unlawfully kill, torture, and detain civilians on a
                large scale, and non-state armed groups of varying ideologies exert
                control over civilians in wide areas of the country. The SARG, with the
                support of government-linked paramilitary groups, Iranian and Iranian-
                backed proxy forces, and Russian forces, continues to engage in
                hostilities with Syrian opposition forces. In addition, following its
                incursion into northern Syria in early 2018, the Turkish military and
                Turkish-backed groups continue to fight the Kurdish People's Protection
                Units (YPG). Following the defeat of the self-described Islamic State
                of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in March 2019, ISIS sleeper cells have stepped
                up insurgency operations in cities controlled by the Syrian Democratic
                Forces (SDF). On January 16, 2019, a suicide bombing claimed by ISIS
                killed four Americans and 15 others in the northern city of Manbij, in
                Aleppo province. One week later, a vehicle-borne improvised explosive
                device targeted a joint American-SDF patrol in the town of Ash Shaddadi
                in Hasakah province. At least 10 people were killed June 1, 2019, in
                ISIS attacks in Raqqa. Despite a September 2018 agreement between
                Russia and Turkey that designated Idlib province and surrounding areas
                a demilitarized zone, non-state armed organizations, including
                designated terrorist groups, have continued to fight each other within
                the zone. In January 2019, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) seized large
                areas of Idlib from rival armed groups, constituting a significant
                threat to Syrian civilians in the country's northwest and northeast, as
                well as Syrian refugees residing across the adjacent Turkish border.
                Since April 2019, a renewed SARG offensive is exacting a heavy toll on
                civilians and civilian infrastructure in the area. The renewed violence
                has displaced over 630,000 civilians, and killed at least 1,089
                civilians, including many children.
                 Currently, 11.9 million Syrians are displaced in or outside of
                Syria, of which 6.2 million are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and
                5.7 million are UNHCR-registered refugees. Of the country's 23 million
                people, 11.7 million require humanitarian assistance. Approximately 1.6
                million Syrians were displaced by hostilities in 2018, and the overall
                IDP population increased 16% in 2018. Syria hosted approximately
                482,200 refugees during the same time period. Additionally, 1.4 million
                Syrian IDPs voluntarily returned to their home areas in 2018. Just over
                56,047 refugees returned to Syria in 2018, and as of March 2019, 21,575
                had returned. Despite the significant number of spontaneous refugee and
                IDP returns in 2018 and 2019, the United Nations High Commissioner for
                Refugees (UNHCR) assessed in February 2019 that ``present conditions in
                Syria are not conducive for voluntary repatriation in safety and
                dignity as significant risks remain for civilians across the country.''
                 Syria's economy has significantly deteriorated since the outbreak
                of conflict in 2011, with economic output declining by more than 70%
                from 2011 to 2017, the most recent year for which confirmed economic
                data is available. Eight in ten Syrians live below the poverty line.
                Syria ranks last in the CIA World Factbook's survey of 224 countries in
                real annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate, and 194th in GDP
                per capita.
                 Civilian health needs remain critical in Syria due to the ongoing
                conflict, and access to medical care is limited. Hundreds of thousands
                of civilians have suffered injuries, of which 45% are expected to
                sustain permanent impairment and require lifelong medical attention. As
                of March 2019, 46% of Syrian healthcare facilities are either partially
                functional or not functional, and 167 have been completely destroyed.
                Mass displacement has contributed to a reduction of up to 50% of
                qualified medical personnel in some areas, further compromising the
                provision of quality medical assistance. The SARG continues to attack
                healthcare personnel and infrastructure, with the United Nations
                reporting 142 confirmed attacks on healthcare personnel, facilities,
                supplies, patients, warehouses, and transport in 2018.
                 As of April 2019, 9 million people in Syria required food
                assistance, including 6.5 million people facing life-threatening food
                insecurity. Notwithstanding the ongoing challenges, food security
                increased in some areas in 2018 due to improvements in overall market
                accessibility and increased response efforts.
                 Based upon this review and after consultation with appropriate
                Government agencies, the Secretary has determined that:
                 The conditions supporting Syria's designation 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 to Syria of Syrian
                nationals (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided
                in 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 October 1, 2019 through March 31, 2021. See INA
                section 244(b)(3)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(C).
                [[Page 49754]]
                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 supporting Syria's
                designation 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
                October 1, 2019, through March 31, 2021. See INA section 244(b)(1)(A),
                (b)(1)(C); 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(A), (b)(1)(C).
                Kevin McAleenan,
                Acting Secretary.
                Required Application Forms and Application Fees To 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 this Federal Register Notice, your existing EAD issued
                under the TPS designation of Syria with the expiration date of
                September 30, 2019, is automatically extended for 180 days, through
                March 28, 2020. Although not required to do so, if you want to obtain a
                new EAD valid through March 31, 2021, you must file an Application for
                Employment Authorization (Form I-765) and pay the Form I-765 fee (or
                request a fee waiver). If you do not want a new EAD, you do not have to
                file Form I-765 and 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.
                 Additionally, individuals who have EADs with an expiration date of
                March 31, 2018, and who applied for a new EAD during the last re-
                registration period but have not yet received their new EADs are also
                covered by this automatic EAD extension through March 28, 2020. You do
                not need to apply for a new EAD in order to benefit from this 180-day
                automatic extension. If you have a Form I-821 and/or Form I-765 that
                was still pending as of September 23, 2019, then you do not need to
                file either application again. If your pending TPS application is
                approved, you will be granted TPS through March 31, 2021. Similarly, if
                you have a pending TPS-related application for an EAD that is approved,
                it will be valid through the same date.
                 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 March 28, 2020.
                 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).
                Biometric Services Fee
                 Biometrics (such as fingerprints) are required for all applicants
                14 years of age and older. Those applicants must submit a biometric
                services fee. As previously stated, if you are unable to pay the
                biometric services fee, you may complete a Form I-912 or submit a
                personal letter requesting a fee waiver, with satisfactory supporting
                documentation. For more information on the biometric services fee,
                please visit the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov. If necessary,
                you may be required to visit an Application Support Center to have your
                biometrics captured. 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.
                Refiling a TPS Re-Registration 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 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 would like to send your
                 application by: Then, mail your application to:
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                U.S. Postal Service............... U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
                 Services,
                 Attn: TPS Syria,
                 P.O. Box 6943,
                 Chicago, IL 60680-6943.
                A non-U.S. Postal Service courier. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
                 Services,
                 Attn: TPS Syria,
                 131 S Dearborn Street--3rd Floor,
                 Chicago, IL 60603-5517.
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                [[Page 49755]]
                 If you were granted TPS by an Immigration Judge (IJ) or the Board
                of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and you 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 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 to 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 obtain information on the status of my EAD request?
                 To get case status information about your TPS application,
                including the status of an EAD request, you can check Case Status
                Online at http://www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS National Contact
                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
                Contact Center for assistance before making an InfoPass appointment.
                Am I eligible to receive an automatic 180-day extension of my current
                EAD through March 28, 2020, using this Federal Register Notice?
                 Yes. Provided that you currently have a Syria TPS-based EAD, this
                Federal Register Notice automatically extends your EAD through March
                28, 2020, if you:
                 Are a national of Syria (or an alien having no nationality who
                last habitually resided in Syria); and either
                 Have an EAD with a marked expiration date of September 30,
                2019, bearing the notation A-12 or C-19 on the face of the card under
                Category, or
                 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 and you applied for a new EAD during the last re-registration
                period but have not yet received a new EAD.
                 Although this Federal Register Notice automatically extends your
                EAD through March 28, 2020, 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 the Lists of Acceptable Documents on the ``Acceptable
                Documents'' web page for Form I-9 at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/acceptable-documents. 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 provides 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 information about Form I-9 on the 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 September 30, 2019, or March 31, 2018 (and you
                applied for a new EAD during the last re-registration period but have
                not yet received a new EAD), and states A-12 or C-19 under Category, it
                has been extended automatically by virtue of this Federal Register
                Notice and you may choose to present your EAD to your employer as proof
                of identity and employment eligibility for Form I-9 through March 28,
                2020, unless your TPS has been withdrawn or your request for TPS has
                been denied. If you have an EAD with a marked expiration date of
                September 30, 2019, that states A-12 or C-19 under Category, and 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 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 March 28, 2020, 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 my automatically extended employment
                authorization 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 March 28, 2020. 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.
                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
                is required by law to ask you about your continued employment
                authorization no later than before you start work on October 1, 2019.
                You will need to present your employer with evidence that you are still
                authorized to work. Once presented, your employer should note the
                automatic extension date from this Federal Register Notice in the
                Additional Information field in Section 2 of Form I-9. See the
                subsection titled, ``What updates should my current employer 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 March 28, 2020. Your employer may need
                to re-inspect your automatically extended EAD to check the Card Expires
                date and Category code if your employer did not keep a copy of this EAD
                when you initially presented it. In addition, if you have an EAD with a
                marked expiration date of September 30, 2019 that states A-12 or C-19
                under Category, and you
                [[Page 49756]]
                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 EAD is
                automatically extended for up to 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 March 28, 2020, 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 March 28, 2020.
                Before you start work on March 29, 2020, your employer must reverify
                your employment authorization in Section 3 of Form I-9, using the most
                current version available at http://www.uscis.gov/I-9. 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.
                 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 you present an EAD that has been
                automatically extended, employers should accept it as a valid List A
                document so long as the EAD reasonably appears to be genuine and
                relates to you. 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 March 29, 2020, you and your employer should do the
                following:
                 1. For Section 1, you should:
                 a. Check ``An alien authorized to work until'' and enter March 28,
                2020 as the ``expiration date''; and
                 b. Enter your Alien Number/USCIS number or A-Number where indicated
                (your EAD or other document 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 by ensuring it is in
                category A-12 or C-19 and has a September 30, 2019, expiration date (or
                March 31, 2018 expiration date provided the employee applied for a new
                EAD during the last re-registration period but has not yet received a
                new EAD);
                 b. Write in the document title;
                 c. Enter the issuing authority;
                 d. Enter either the employee's Alien Registration number or USCIS
                number from Section 1 in the Document Number field on Form I-9; and
                 e. Write March 28, 2020, as the expiration date.
                 Before the start of work on March 29, 2020, employers must reverify
                the employee's employment authorization in Section 3 of Form I-9.
                What updates should my current employer 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. Your employer should update Section 2 of your
                previously completed Form I-9 as follows:
                 1. Determine if the EAD is auto-extended by ensuring:
                 a. It contains Category A-12 or C-19; and
                 b. Has a Card Expires date of September 30, 2019, or March 31, 2018
                if the employee applied for a new EAD during the last re-registration
                period but has not yet received a new EAD.
                 2. Enter EAD EXT and March 28, 2020 in the Additional Information
                field; and
                 3. Initial and date the update.
                 Note: This is not considered a reverification. Employers do not
                need to complete Section 3 until either the 180-day automatic extension
                has ended or the employee presents a new document to show continued
                employment authorization, whichever is sooner. By March 29, 2020, 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 these employees by
                entering the number from the Document Number field on Form I-9 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 TPS-related EADs
                that are automatically extended. If you have employees 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. Before March 29,
                2020, you must reverify his or her employment authorization in Section
                3 of Form I-9. 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
                [[Page 49757]]
                U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, Immigrant and
                Employee Rights Section (IER) Employer Hotline at 800-255-8155 (TTY
                800-237-2515). 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,
                Spanish, and many other languages. 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 nondiscriminatory Form I-9 and E-Verify
                procedures is available on the IER website at https://www.justice.gov/ier and on the USCIS and E-Verify websites at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central and https://www.e-verify.gov.
                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. While SAVE can verify when an
                individual has TPS, each agency's procedures govern whether they will
                accept an unexpired EAD, I-797, or I-94. You should present the agency
                with a copy of the relevant Federal Register Notice showing the
                extension of TPS-related documentation in addition to your recent TPS-
                related document with your alien or I-94 number. You should explain
                that SAVE will be able to verify the continuation of your TPS. You
                should ask the agency to initiate a SAVE query with your information
                and follow through with additional verification steps, if necessary, to
                get a final SAVE response showing the TPS. You can also ask the agency
                to look for SAVE notices or contact SAVE if they have any questions
                about your immigration status or auto-extension of TPS-related
                documentation. 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. 2019-20457 Filed 9-20-19; 8:45 am]
                 BILLING CODE 9111-97-P
                

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