[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 124 (Friday, June 26, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38320-38321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-12649]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

22 CFR Parts 41 and 139

[Public Notice: 11106]
RIN 1400-AE56


Removal of Regulations Relating to the Irish Peace Process 
Cultural Exchange and Training Program

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Executive Orders 13771 and 13777, which 
direct federal agencies to review and eliminate outdated and 
unnecessary regulations, the Department of State (``Department'') is 
removing regulations related to an obsolete visa program. The Irish 
Peace Process and Cultural Training Program was established in 1998 and 
created what is commonly referred to as the Walsh Visa Program. This 
visa program expired on September 30, 2008, and the regulations for 
administering the program are obsolete. Accordingly, the Department is 
removing the regulations related to this visa program.

DATES: This rule is effective on June 26, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Taylor Beaumont, Acting Chief, 
Legislation and Regulations Division, Legal Affairs, Office of Visa 
Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs, 600 19th Street NW, Washington, 
DC 20522, 202-485-8910, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Irish Peace Process Cultural and 
Training Program Act of 1998, Public Law 105-319, created what is 
commonly referred to as the Walsh Visa Program. This program allowed 
young people from disadvantaged areas of Northern Ireland and 
designated counties of the Republic of Ireland suffering from sectarian 
violence and high structural unemployment to temporarily enter the 
United States to develop job skills and conflict resolution abilities 
in a diverse, cooperative, peaceful, and prosperous environment. At the 
conclusion of their stay, these young people were expected to return to 
their homes better able to contribute toward economic regeneration and 
the Irish peace process.
    The Department promulgated the regulations at 22 CFR part 139 to 
implement the Walsh Visa Program. At the same time, the Department 
promulgated the regulations in Part 41 related to the Q2 and Q3 
nonimmigrant visa classifications for eligible individuals. This visa 
program ended on September 30, 2008. Initially established with a 
September 20, 2005,

[[Page 38321]]

end date, the visa program was extended through September 30, 2008, by 
Public Law 108-449. The regulations for administering the program 
became obsolete upon the expiration of the program in 2008. The 
Department is therefore removing the program-related regulations at 22 
CFR part 139, and the corresponding visa regulations at 22 CFR part 41, 
including sections 41.57(b), 41.101(f), and the obsolete classification 
codes for Q2 and Q3 visas at 22 CFR 41.12.

Regulatory Findings

Administrative Procedure Act

    This rule is issued without prior notice and opportunity to 
comment, with an immediate effective date, pursuant to the 
Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 553(b) and (d). Under 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(B), agencies are exempt from notice and comment 
rulemaking when an agency finds for good cause that ``notice and public 
procedures are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public 
interest.'' The APA also authorizes agencies to dispose of a 30-day 
delay in effective date and make a rule effective immediately upon a 
showing of good cause. 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). The Department finds that 
good cause exists both to waive prior notice and comment and the 30-day 
delay of effective date on this rule because public comment is 
unnecessary. This program ended on September 30, 2008, making this rule 
obsolete. The program to which the rule relates is no longer 
authorized. Therefore, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(b) and (d), this 
rule is effective immediately and is not subject to the notice-and-
comment rule making procedures set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553.

Regulatory Flexibility Act/Executive Order 13272: Small Business

    Because this final rule is exempt from notice and comment 
rulemaking under 5 U.S.C. 553, it is exempt from the regulatory 
flexibility analysis requirements set forth by the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 603 and 604).

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local, and 
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 
million or more in any year and it will not significantly or uniquely 
affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary 
under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    This rule is not a major rule as defined in 5 U.S.C. 804, for 
purposes of congressional review of agency rulemaking under the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This rule will 
not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; 
a major increase in costs or prices; or adverse effects on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of 
United States-based companies to compete with foreign-based companies 
in domestic and import markets.

Executive Order 12866 and 13771: Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs

    The Department does not consider this rule to be a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, section 3(f), 
Regulatory Planning and Review. The Department has nevertheless 
reviewed the regulation to ensure its consistency with the regulatory 
philosophy and principles set forth in that Executive Order with the 
guidance therein. This rule withdraws defunct regulations and thus will 
not impose any costs on the public. This rule is an E.O. 13771 
deregulatory action.

Executive Orders 12372 and 13132: Federalism

    This rulemaking will not have substantial direct effects on the 
States, on the relationship between the national government and the 
States, or the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. Nor will the rule have federalism 
implications warranting the application of Executive Orders 12372 and 
13132.

Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal 
Governments

    The Department has determined that this rulemaking will not have 
tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct compliance 
costs on Indian tribal governments, and will not preempt tribal law. 
Accordingly, the requirements of Section 5 of Executive Order 13175 do 
not apply to this rulemaking.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not impose or revise any reporting or record-keeping 
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. chapter 
35.

List of Subjects

22 CFR Part 41

    Aliens, Nonimmigrants, Passports, Visas.

22 CFR Part 139

    Aliens, Passports, Visas.

    Accordingly, for the reasons set forth in the preamble, 22 CFR 
parts 41 and 139 are amended as follows:

PART 41--VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF NONIMMIGRANTS UNDER THE 
IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED

0
1. The authority citation for Part 41 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2651a; 8 U.S.C. 1104; Pub. L. 105-277, 112 
Stat. 2681-795 through 2681-801; 8 U.S.C. 1185 note (section 7209 of 
Pub. L. 108-458, as amended by section 546 of Pub. L. 109-295).


Sec.  41.12  [Amended]

0
2. In Sec.  41.12 amend the table by removing the classification 
symbols for Q2 and Q3.

0
3. Amend Sec.  41.57 by revising the section heading and removing and 
reserving paragraph (b) to read as follows:


 Sec.  41.57  International cultural exchange visitors.

* * * * *


Sec.  41.101  [Amended]

0
4. Amend Sec.  41.101 by removing and reserving paragraph (f).

PART 139--[REMOVED AND RESERVED]

0
5. Under the authority of Public Law 105-319, 112 Stat. 3013; 22 U.S.C. 
2651a, remove and reserve part 139.

Carl C. Risch,
Assistant Secretary, Consular Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2020-12649 Filed 6-25-20; 8:45 am]
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