[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61123-61125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29248]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service
[INS No. 2022-99; AG Order No. 2271-99]
RIN 1115-AE26


Extension and Redesignation of Burundi Under the Temporary 
Protected Status Program

AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On November 4, 1997, the Attorney General designated Burundi 
under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for a period of 
twelve months. This initial designation allowed eligible nationals of 
Burundi (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided 
in Burundi) who had continuously resided in the United States since 
that date to apply for TPS. This initial designation, which expired 
November 3, 1998, was extended last year. This notice extends the TPS 
designation for Burundi for another twelve-month period (until November 
2, 2000), and sets forth the procedures necessary for nationals of 
Burundi (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided 
in Burundi) with TPS to re-register for TPS program. This notice also 
redesignates Burundi under the TPS program, thereby expanding TPS 
eligibility to include nationals of Burundi (and aliens having no 
nationality who last habitually resided in Burundi) who have been 
``continuously present in the United States'' and who have 
``continuously resided in the United States'' since November 9, 1999.

EFFECTIVE DATES:

Extension of Designation and Re-Registration

    The extension of Burundi's TPS designation is effective November 3, 
1999, and lasts until November 2, 2000. Nationals of Burundi (and 
aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Burundi) 
who currently have TPS must re-register for TPS during the period 
lasting from November 9, 1999, until December 9, 1999.

Redesignation

    The redesignation of Burundi for TPS is effective from November 9, 
1999, until November 2, 2000. The registration period for nationals of 
Burundi (and aliens who last habitually resided in Burundi) begins on 
November 9, 1999, and will remain in effective until November 2, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Valverde, Program Analyst, 
Immigration and Naturalization Service, Room 3040, 425 I Street, NW, 
Washington, DC 20535, telephone (202) 514-4754.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

What Is the Statutory Authority for the Attorney General To Extend 
Burundi's TPS Designation Under the TPS Program?

    Section 244(b)(3)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (the 
Act) states that at least 60 days before the end of a designation, the 
Attorney General must review conditions in the foreign state for which 
the designation is in effect. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). Under section 
244(b)(3)(C), the Attorney General may extend the initial TPS period 
based on a determination that the foreign state continues to meet the 
conditions for designation. 8 U.S.C. 1254(b)(3)(C). Through such an 
extension, however, TPS continues to be available only to aliens who 
have been continuously physically present and who have continuously 
resided in the United States from the effective date of the initial 
designation, in this case since November 4, 1997.

What Is the Statutory Authority for the Attorney General To 
Redesignate Burundi Under the TPS Program?

    Section 244(b)(1) of the Act implicitly permits the Attorney 
General to redesignate a foreign state (or any part of such foreign 
state) under the TPS program such that non-covered aliens residing in 
the United States could receive TPS benefits, instead of simply 
extending a foreign state's TPS designation and thereby extending 
benefits to previously eligible aliens. 8 U.S.C. 1254(b)(1). An alien 
is eligible for TPS if he or she is otherwise admissible, and ``has 
been continuously physically present since and has continually resided 
in the United States since the effective date of the most recent 
designation of that state.'' 8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(1)(A)(i).

Why Did the Attorney General Decide To Both Extend and Redesignate 
Burundi Under the TPS Program?

    On November 4, 1997, the Attorney General designated Burundi under 
the TPS program. Since that time, the Attorney General and the 
Department of State have continuously examined conditions in Burundi. A 
recent Department of State report on conditions in that country found 
that, ``[w]hile the Arusha peace negotiations continue, Burundi 
nevertheless remains a fragile country with considerable ethnic 
violence and deep divisions over the distribution of power. The June 
1998 cease fire agreement has been generally ineffective, and Burundi 
can still be described as a nation undergoing civil war.'' The 
memorandum further states that ``[w]ide-spread and serious human rights 
abuses continue to be committed by both the rebels and the Burundian 
military. Burundi remains insecure throughout the country.'' Based on 
these and other findings, the Attorney General has determined that 
conditions in Burundi warrant the extension and redesignation of 
Burundi under the TPS program. This order will extend the availability 
of TPS to eligible nationals of Burundi (and aliens having no 
nationality who last habitually resided in Burundi) who arrived in the 
United States after the date of initial designation.

If I Currently Have TPS Through the Burundi TPS Program, Do I Still 
Need to Re-Register for TPS?

    Yes. If you were granted TPS based on the initial designation of 
Burundi, that status will expire on November 3, 1999. Accordingly, you 
must re-register for TPS in order to maintain your status through 
November 2, 2000. With re-

[[Page 61124]]

registration, you do not need to pay the fifty-dollar ($50) filing fee 
for the Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status. If you 
do not have TPS or have TPS but miss the re-registration period, you 
can still apply for TPS under the redesignation, if you have been 
continuously physically present and have continuously resided in the 
United States since November 9, 1999. See the registration instructions 
below for complete filing procedures.

If I Currently Have TPS, How Do I Register for an Extension?

    All applicants previously granted TPS under the Burundi program may 
apply for an extension by filing a Form I-821 (without the fee) during 
the re-registration period that begins November 9, 1999 and ends 
December 9, 1999. Additionally, you must file a Form I-765, Application 
for Employment Authorization. See Chart 1 below to determine whether or 
not you must submit the one hundred-dollar ($100) filing fee with the 
Form I-765.

                                 Chart 1
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                   If                                  Then
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You are applying for employment          You must complete and file the
 authorization through November 2, 2000.  Form I-765, Application for
                                          Employment Authorization, with
                                          the one-hundred dollar ($100)
                                          fee.
You already have employment              You must complete and file the
 authorization or do not request          Form I-765, Application for
 employment authorization.                Employment Authorization,
                                          without a fee.
You are applying for employment          You must complete and file Form
 authorization and are requesting a fee   I-765, an appropriately
 waiver.                                  documented fee waiver request,
                                          and the requisite affidavit
                                          (and any other information),
                                          in accordance with 8 CFR
                                          244.20.
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To re-register for TPS, you also must include two identification 
photographs (1\1/2\'' x 1\1/2\'').

If I Do Not Currently Have TPS, How Do I Register?

    All applicants filing for TPS under the Burundi redesignation who 
have not previously been granted TPS must apply by filing Form I-821 
and the fifty-dollar ($50) fee. Additionally, you must submit the Form 
I-765 and a twenty-five dollar ($25) fingerprinting fee. See Chart 2 
below to determine if you must also submit the one hundred-dollar 
($100) filing fee for Form I-765, and to obtain information on 
requesting a fee waiver.

                                 Chart 2
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                   If                                  Then
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You are applying for employment          You must complete and file the
 authorization through November 2, 2000.  Form I-765, Application for
                                          Employment Authorization, with
                                          the one-hundred dollar ($100)
                                          fee.
You already have employment              You must complete and file the
 authorization or do not request          Form I-765, Application for
 employment authorization.                Employment Authorization,
                                          without a fee.
You are requesting a fee waiver for the  You must complete and file Form
 $50 fee of the Form I-821, $100 fee      I-821, Form I-765, and an
 for the Form I-765, and $25              appropriately documented fee
 fingerprinting fee.                      waiver request and the
                                          affidavit (and any other
                                          information), in accordance
                                          with 8 CFR 244.20.
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To register for TPS, you also must include two identification 
photographs (1\1/2\''  x  1\1/2\'') and supporting evidence, as 
provided in 8 CFR 244.9 (evidence of identity, nationality, and proof 
of residence).

When Must I Re-Register for TPS Under the Extension?

    For nationals of Burundi (and aliens having no nationality who last 
habitually resided in Burundi) who currently have TPS, the re-
registration period begins November 9, 1999 and lasts until December 9, 
1999. If you have TSP from the original designation but do not file 
during the re-registration period, you can still file a new application 
for TPS under the redesignation. If you are filing a new application, 
you will need to follow the instructions for applying under the 
redesignation.

When Must I Register for TPS Under the Redesignation?

    The registration period for nationals of Burundi applying for TPS 
under the redesignation begins November 9, 1999, and will remain in 
effect until November 2, 2000.

Where Must I File My Application for TPS Under This Extension and 
Redesignation?

    Applicants seeking to register for TPS or to extend their TPS must 
submit an application and accompanying materials to the Immigration and 
Naturalization Service (INS) district office that has jurisdiction over 
the applicant's place of residence.

What Are the Requirements for Nationals of Burundi To Demonstrate 
That They Have Been ``Continuously Physically Present'' and Have 
``Continuously Resided'' in the United States?

    All new applicants for TPS under the Burundi redesignation will 
have to demonstrate ``continuous physical presence'' and ``continuous 
residence'' in the United States since November 9, 1999. ``Continuously 
physically present'' means actual physical presence in the United 
States for the entire period specified. An alien, however, shall not 
shall be considered to have failed to maintain continuous physical 
presence in the United States by virture of brief, casual, and innocent 
absence. ``Continuously resided'' means residing in the United States 
for the entire period specified. An alien will not be considered to 
have failed to maintain continuous residence in the

[[Page 61125]]

United States by reason of a brief, casual, and innocent absence.

Notice of Extension of Designation and Redesignation of Burundi 
Under the TPS Program

    By the authority vested in me as Attorney General under Section 244 
of the Act, and as required by sections 244(b)(3)(A) and (C), and 244 
(b) (1) of the Act, I have consulted with the appropriate government 
agencies concerning the redesignation of Burundi under the TPS program 
and the extension of that country's current TPS designation. From these 
consultations, I find the following:
    (1) There exists an ongoing armed conflict in Burundi and that a 
return of aliens who are nationals of Burundi (and aliens having no 
nationality who last habitually resided in Burundi) 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 Burundi 
that prevent aliens who are nationals of Burundi (and aliens having no 
nationality who last habitually resided in Burundi) from returning to 
Burundi in safety; and
    (3) Permitting nationals of Burundi (and aliens having no 
nationality who last habitually resided in Burundi) to remain 
temporarily in the Untied States is not contrary to the national 
interest of the United States. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1) (A) and (C).
    Accordingly, I order as follows:
    (1) The designation of Burundi is extended under section 
244(b)(3)(A) and (C) of the Act for the 12-month period spanning from 
November 3, 1999, to November 2, 2000. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A) and (C). 
Nationals of Burundi (and aliens having no nationality who last 
habitually resided in Burundi) who received TPS during the initial 
designation period may apply for an extension of TPS during the 
registration period lasting from November 9, 1999 until December 9, 
1999.
    (2) Burundi is redesignated under section 244(b)(1) of the Act for 
TPS for a twelve-month period until November 2, 2000. 8 U.S.C. 
1254a(b)(1). Nationals of Burundi (and aliens having no nationality who 
last habitually resided in Burundi) who have been ``continuously 
physically present'' and have ``continuously resided'' in the United 
States since November 9, 1999, may apply for TPS within the 
registration period, which begins November 9, 1999, and ends November 
2, 2000.
    (3) I estimate that there are no more than 500 nationals of Burundi 
who have been granted TPS and who are eligible for re-registration, and 
no more than 500 nationals of Burundi who do not have TPS and are 
eligible for TPS under this redesignation.
    (4) In order to maintain TPS, a national of Burundi (or an alien 
having no nationality who last habitually resided in Burundi) who 
currently has TPS must re-register by filing Form I-821, together with 
Form I-765, within the period beginning November 9, 1999 and ending on 
December 9, 1999. Late re-registration applications will be allowed 
pursuant to 8 CFR 244.17(c). There is no fee for a Form I-821 filed as 
part of the re-registration application. A Form I-765 must be filed 
with the Form I-821. If the applicant requests employment 
authorization, he or she must submit one hundred dollars ($100) or a 
properly documented fee waiver request, pursuant to 8 CFR 244.20 with 
the Form I-765. An applicant who does not request employment 
authorization must nonetheless file Form I-765 along with Form I-821, 
but is not required to submit the fee.
    (5) A national of Burundi (or an alien having no nationality who 
last habitually resided in Burundi) filing for TPS under the 
redesignation must file Form I-821, together with Form I-765, within 
the period beginning November 9, 1999, and ending on November 2, 2000. 
A fifty-dollar ($50) fee must accompany Form I-821. A twenty-five 
dollar ($25) fingerprinting fee must also be submitted. If the 
applicant requests employment authorization, he or she must submit one 
hundred dollars ($100) or a properly documented fee waiver request, 
pursuant to 8 CFR 244.20, with the Form I-765. An applicant who does 
not request employment authorization must nonetheless file Form I-765 
along with Form I-821 but is not required to submit the fee. The 
applicant can also request a fee waiver for the twenty-five dollar 
($25) fee.
    (6) Pursuant to section 244(b)(3)(A) of the Act, the Attorney 
General will review, at least 60 days before November 2, 2000, the 
designation of Burundi under the TPS program to determine whether the 
conditions for designation continue to be met. 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). 
Notice of that determination will be published in the Federal Register. 
If there is an extension of designation, late initial registration for 
TPS will be allowed only pursuant to the requirements of 8 CFR 
244.2(f)(2).
    (7) Information concerning the redesignation of Burundi under the 
TPS program will be available at local INS offices upon publication of 
this notice.

    Dated: November 2, 1999.
Janet Reno,
Attorney General.
[FR Doc. 99-29248 Filed 11-8-99; 8:45 am]
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