[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16634-16635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7683]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service

[INS No. 2044-00; AG Order No. 2295-2000]
RIN 1115-AE26


Designation of Angola Under the Temporary Protected Status 
Program

AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Attorney General is authorized to grant Temporary 
Protected Status (TPS) in the United States to eligible nationals of 
designated foreign states or parts of such states (or to eligible 
aliens who have no nationality and who last habitually resided in such 
designated states) upon a finding that such states are experiencing 
ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary 
and temporary conditions. Due to the armed conflict in Angola, which 
prevents the safe return of nationals of that country, this notice 
designates Angola for the TPS program for a period of 12 months, until 
March 29, 2001. This notice provides information regarding eligibility 
and application procedures.

DATES: This designation is effective on March 29, 2000, and will remain 
in effect until March 29, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Valverde, Residence and Status 
Branch, Adjudications, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I 
Street, NW., room 3214, Washington, DC 20536, telephone (202) 514-4754.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Why Did the Attorney General Decide To Designate Angola Under the 
TPS Program?

    Based on a thorough review by the Departments of State and Justice, 
the Attorney General finds that there is significant ongoing armed 
conflict in Angola, and that the return of aliens who are nationals of 
Angola (as well as aliens having no nationality who last habitually 
resided in Angola) would pose a serious risk to their personal safety. 
A Department of State memorandum on Angola states that: ``Fighting is 
now once again widespread throughout much of Angola. Some 70% of 
Angola's area is currently outside effective government control. The 
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has called for a 
moratorium on returns to Angola as a result of the conflict and 
resulting insecurity within the country.''
    Based on these and other findings, the Attorney General has 
determined that

[[Page 16635]]

the armed conflict in Angola and related extraordinary and temporary 
conditions prevent the safe return of aliens who are nationals of 
Angola (as well as aliens having no nationality who last habitually 
resided in Angola). The Attorney General further finds that permitting 
such aliens to remain temporarily in the United States is not contrary 
to the national interests of the United States.

Who Is Eligible for TPS Under This Designation?

    In order to be eligible for TPS under this designation, an alien 
must:
     Be a national of Angola (or an alien having no nationality 
who last habitually resided in Angola);
     Have been continuously physically present in the United 
States since March 29, 2000.
     Have continuously resided in the United States since March 
29, 2000.
     Be admissible as an immigrant except as provided under 
section 244(c)(2)(A) of the Act, and not ineligible under section 
244(c)(2)(B) of the Act; and must
     Apply for TPS within the registration period which begins 
on March 29, 2000, and ends on March 29, 2001.

Does Applying for TPS Affect an Application for Asylum or Any Other 
Immigration Benefit?

    No. Any national of Angola who has already applied for, or plans to 
apply for asylum, but whose asylum application has not yet been 
approved may also apply for TPS. An application for TPS does not affect 
an application for asylum or any other immigration benefit. Denial of 
an application for asylum or any other immigration benefit does not 
affect an alien's ability to register for TPS, although the grounds of 
denial of that application may also lead to denial of TPS. For example, 
an alien who has been convicted of an aggravated felony is not eligible 
for asylum or TPS.

How Do I Register for TPS?

    Applicants from Angola may register for TPS by:
     Filing an Application for Temporary Protected Status, Form 
I-821, with a $50 filing fee and a $25 fingerprint fee;
     Providing two identification photographs (1\1/2\" x 1\1/
2\");
     Providing supporting evidence, as provided in 8 CFR 244.9 
(evidence of identity and nationality, and proof of residence); and
     Filing an Application for Employment Authorization, Form 
I-765.
    The chart below contains information regarding payment of the $100 
fee for filing Form I-765, and information regarding fee waivers.

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                    If                                  Then
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You are applying for employment             You must complete and file
 authorization through March 29, 2001.       the Form I-765, Application
                                             for Employment
                                             Authorization, with the
                                             $100 fee.
You already have employment authorization   You must complete and file
 or do not require employment                the Form I-765, Application
 authorization.                              for Employment
                                             Authorization, without a
                                             fee.
You are requesting a fee waiver for the     You must complete and file
 $50 fee for the Form I-821 and/or the       the Form I-821, the Form I-
 $100 fee for the Form I-765.                765, a the requisite fee
                                             waiver request and
                                             affidavit (and any other
                                             information), in accordance
                                             with 8 CFR 244.20.
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Where Should I Submit My Application for TPS?

    You should submit your application for TPS at the Service district 
office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.

What Happens After March 29, 2000, the Date the Initial Designation 
Expires?

    Pursuant to section 244(b)(3)(A) of the Act, the Attorney General 
will review, at least 60 days before March 29, 2001, the conditions in 
Angola to determine whether the conditions for designation of Angola 
under the TPS program continue to exist. Notice of that determination, 
including the basis for the determination, will be published in the 
Federal Register.
    If the initial TPS designation is extended at that time, an alien 
who is granted TPS must register for any extension of the TPS program 
in order to maintain TPS. On the other hand, if the TPS designation is 
not extended after March 29, 2001, those aliens granted TPS will revert 
back to the immigration status they had prior to TPS, if still 
available, unless they have been granted another benefit.

Notice of Designation of Angola Under the 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. 1254a), I 
find, after consultation with the appropriate agencies of the 
Government, that:
    (1) There is an ongoing armed conflict within Angola and, due to 
such conflict, requiring the return of aliens who are nationals of 
Angola (as well as aliens having no nationally who last habitually 
resided in Angola) would pose a serious threat to their personal 
safety;
    (2) There exist extraordinary and temporary conditions in Angola 
that prevent aliens who are nationals of Angola (as well as aliens 
having no nationally who last habitually resided in Angola) from 
returning to Angola in safety; and
    (3) Permitting nationals of Angola (or aliens having no nationality 
who last habitually resided in Angola) to remain temporarily in the 
United States is not contrary to the national interests of the United 
States. Accordingly, I order as follows:
    (1) Angola is designated for TPS under section 244(b)(1)(A) and (C) 
of the Act. Nationals of Angola (or aliens having no nationality who 
last habitually resided in Angola) who have been ``continuously 
physically present'' and have ``continuously resided'' in the United 
States since March 29, 2000, may apply for TPS within the registration 
period, which begins on March 29, 2000, and ends on March 29, 2001.
    (2) I estimate that there are no more than 1,700 nationals of 
Angola (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in 
Angola) in the United States who are eligible for TPS.
    (3) Information concerning the TPS program for nationals of Angola 
(or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Angola) 
will be available at the Service website, located at http://www.ins.usdoj.gov, or at local Immigration and Naturalization Service 
offices upon publication of this notice.

    Dated: March 22, 2000.
Janet Reno,
Attorney General.
[FR Doc. 00-7683 Filed 3-28-00; 8:45 am]
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