[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 116 (Monday, June 17, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 36211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14102]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[DHS Docket No. ICEB-2013-0001]
RIN 1653-ZA05


Extension of Employment Authorization for Syrian F-1 Nonimmigrant 
Students Experiencing Severe Economic Hardship as a Direct Result of 
Civil Unrest in Syria Since March 2011

AGENCY: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice informs the public of the extension of an earlier 
notice, which suspended certain requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant 
students whose country of citizenship is Syria and who are experiencing 
severe economic hardship as a direct result of the civil unrest in 
Syria since March 2011. This notice extends the effective date of that 
notice.

DATES: This notice is effective June 17, 2013 and will remain in effect 
through March 31, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louis Farrell, Director, Student and 
Exchange Visitor Program; MS 5600, U.S. Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement; 500 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20536-5600; (703) 603-
3400. This is not a toll-free number. Program information can be found 
at http://www.ice.gov/sevis/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

What action is DHS taking under this notice?

    The Secretary of Homeland Security is exercising her authority 
under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9) to extend the temporary suspension of the 
applicability of certain requirements governing on-campus and off-
campus employment for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of 
citizenship is Syria and who are experiencing severe economic hardship 
as a direct result of the civil unrest in Syria since March 2011. See 
77 FR 20038 (Apr. 3, 2012). The original notice was effective from 
April 3, 2012 until October 3, 2013. Effective with this publication, 
suspension of the requirements is extended for 18 months from October 
3, 2013 through March 31, 2015.
    F-1 nonimmigrant students granted employment authorization through 
the notice will continue to be deemed to be engaged in a ``full course 
of study'' for the duration of their employment authorization, provided 
they satisfy the minimum course load requirement described in 77 FR 
20038. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F).

Who is covered under this action?

    This notice applies exclusively to F-1 nonimmigrant students whose 
country of citizenship is Syria and who were lawfully present in the 
United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status on April 3, 2012 under section 
101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 
1101(a)(15)(F)(i), and (1) are enrolled in an institution that is 
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified for enrollment of 
F-1 students, (2) are currently maintaining F-1 status, and (3) are 
experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the civil 
unrest in Syria since March 2011.
    This notice applies to both undergraduate and graduate students, as 
well as elementary school, middle school, and high school students. The 
notice, however, applies differently to elementary school, middle 
school, and high school students (see the discussion published at 77 FR 
20040 in the question, ``Does this notice apply to elementary school, 
middle school, and high school students in F-1 status?'').
    F-1 students covered by this notice who transfer to other academic 
institutions that are SEVP-certified for enrollment of F-1 students 
remain eligible for the relief provided by means of this notice.

Why is DHS taking this action?

    The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took action to provide 
temporary relief to F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of 
citizenship is Syria and who were experiencing severe economic hardship 
as a result of the civil unrest in Syria since March 2011. See 77 FR 
20038. It enabled these F-1 students to obtain employment 
authorization, work an increased number of hours while school was in 
session, and reduce their course load, while continuing to maintain 
their F-1 student status.
    Syria continues to experience civil unrest, with many people still 
displaced as a result. Furthermore, economic sanctions imposed by the 
international community have negatively affected the whole of the 
Syrian economy. Given the current conditions in Syria, affected 
students whose primary means of financial support comes from Syria may 
need to be exempt from the normal student employment requirements to be 
able to continue their studies in the United States and meet basic 
living expenses.
    The United States is committed to continuing to assist the people 
of Syria. DHS is therefore extending this employment authorization for 
F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Syria and who 
are experiencing severe economic hardship as a result of the civil 
unrest since March 2011.

How do I apply for an employment authorization under the circumstances 
of this notice?

    F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Syria who 
were lawfully present in the United States on April 3, 2012 and are 
experiencing severe economic hardship as a result of the civil unrest 
may apply for employment authorization under the guidelines described 
in 77 FR 20038. This notice extends the time period during which such 
F-1 students may seek employment authorization due to the civil unrest. 
It does not impose any new or additional policies or procedures beyond 
those listed in the original notice. All interested F-1 students should 
follow the instructions listed in the original notice.

Janet Napolitano,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-14102 Filed 6-14-13; 8:45 am]
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