[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 213 (Tuesday, November 4, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 59737-59738] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-29077] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Immigration and Naturalization Service [INS No. 1780-97; AG Order No. 2126-97] RIN 1115-AE26 Designation of Sudan Under Temporary Protected Status AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Under section 244 of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, as amended, (the Act), the Attorney General is authorized to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States to eligible nationals of designated foreign states (or to eligible aliens who have no nationality and who last habitually resided in a designated state) upon a finding that such states are experiencing ongoing civil strife, environmental disaster, or certain other extraordinary and temporary conditions. This notice designates Sudan for TPS pursuant to section 244(b)(1) of the Act. EFFECTIVE DATES: This designation is effective on November 4, 1997. and will remain in effect until November 3, 1998. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald Chirlin, Adjudications Officer, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I Street NW., Room 3214, Washington, DC 20536, telephone (202) 5t14-5014. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sudanese desiring safe haven in the United States should apply for Temporary Protected Status during the initial registration period being announced now, unless they would be eligible for late initial registration under 8 CFR 244.2(f)(2) (formerly Sec. 240.2(f)(2)) and they choose to wait. This recommendation applies to any Sudanese who has already applied for, or plans to apply for, asylum but whose asylum application has not yet been approved. An application for Temporary Protected Status does not preclude or adversely affect an application for asylum or any other immigration benefit. Sudanese who apply for TPS during the initial registration period will remain eligible to re-register if the designation of TPS is extended, even if an application for asylum or another immigration benefit is denied. However, without a TPS application during the initial registration period, only those Sudanese who satisfy the requirements for late initial registration under 8 CFR 244.2(f)(2) (formerly Sec. 240.2(f)(2)) would be eligible for TPS registration during any extension of designation. Sudanese who already have employment authorization, including some asylum applicants, and Sudanese who have no need for employment authorization, including minor children, may register for TPS by filing a Application for Temporary Protected Status, Form I-821, which requires a filing fee. The Application for Temporary Protected Status, Form I-821, must always be accompanied by an Application for Employment Authorization, Form I-765, which is required for data-gathering purposes. The appropriate filing fee must accompany Form I-765, unless a properly documented fee waiver request is submitted under 8 CFR 244.20 (formerly Sec. 240.20) to the Immigration and Naturalization Service or the applicant does not wish to obtain employment authorization. Notice of designation of Sudan Under Temporary Protected Status Program By the authority vested in me as Attorney General under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended (8 U.S.C.A. 1254 (West Supp. 1997)), I find, after consultation with the appropriate agencies of the Government, that: (1) There exists an ongoing armed conflict in Sudan and a return of aliens who are nationals of Sudan (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan) would pose a serious threat to their personal safety as a result of the armed conflict in that nation; (2) There exist extraordinary and temporary conditions in Sudan that prevent aliens who are nationals of Sudan (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan) from returning the Sudan in Safety; and (3) Permitting nationals of Sudan (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan) to remain temporarily in the United States is not contrary to the national interest of the United States. Accordingly, it is ordered as follows: (1) Sudan is designated under sections 244(b)(1) (A) and (C) of the Act. Nationals of Sudan (and aliens having [[Page 59738]] no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan) who have been ``continuously physically present'' and have ``continuously resided in the United States'' since November 4, 1997 may apply for Temporary Protected Status within the registration period which begins on November 4, 1997 and ends on November 3, 1998. (2) I estimate that there are no more than 4,000 nationals of Sudan (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan) who are currently in nonimmigrant or unlawful status and therefore eligible for Temporary Protected Status. (3) Except as specifically provided in this notice, applications for TPS by nationals of Sudan (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan) must be filed pursuant to the provisions of 8 CFR part 244. Aliens who wish to apply for TPS must file an Application for Temporary Protected Status, Form I-821, together with an Application for Employment Authorization, Form I-765, during the registration period, which begins on November 4, 1997 and will remain in effect until November 3, 1998. (4) A fee of fifty dollars ($50) will be charged for each Application for Temporary Protected Status, Form I-821, filed during the registration period. (5) The fee prescribed in 8 CFR 103.7(b)(1), which is currently seventy dollars ($70), will be charged for each Application for Employment Authorization, Form I-765, filed by an alien requesting employment authorization. An alien who does not request employment authorization must nevertheless file Form I-765, together with Form I- 821, for informational purposes, but in such cases Form I-765 will be without fee. (6) Pursuant to section 244(b)(3)(A) of the Act, the Attorney General will review, at least 60 days before November 3, 1998, the designation of Sudan under the TPS program to determine whether the conditions for designation continue to exist. Notice of that determination, including the basis for the determination, will be published in the Federal Register. If there is an extension of designation, late initial registration for TPS shall only be allowed pursuant to the requirements of 8 CFR 244.2(f)(2). (7) Information concerning the TPS program for nationals of Sudan (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan) will be available at local Immigration and Naturalization Service offices upon publication of this notice. Dated: October 28, 1997. Janet Reno, Attorney General. [FR Doc. 97-29077 Filed 11-3-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410-10-M