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Home » 2009 Issues » 74 FR (01/15/2009) » E9-698. Visas: Documentation of Immigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended: Electronic Petition for Diversity Immigrant Status

  E9-698. Visas: Documentation of Immigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended: Electronic Petition for Diversity Immigrant Status  

  • Start Preamble

    AGENCY:

    State Department.

    ACTION:

    Final rule.

    SUMMARY:

    This rule makes final an interim rule published in the Federal Register on August 18, 2003, amending the Department's regulations pertaining to the manner in which aliens may petition for the opportunity to participate in the Diversity Visa Program. The rule changed the standard mail-in system previously used to an entirely electronic system for the purpose of making the process less prone to fraud, improve efficiency and significantly reduce the processing costs to the Government.

    DATES:

    Effective Date: This rule is effective on January 15, 2009.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Lauren Prosnik, Legislation and Regulations Division, Visa Services, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-0106, (202) 663-1202, e-mail (prosnikla@state.gov).

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Why is the Department promulgating this rule?

    The Department published an interim rule, Public Notice 4446 at 68 FR 49353, Aug. 18, 2003, with a request for comments. The comment period expired on October 17, 2003. No public comments were received during the comment period.

    What did the rule do?

    The rule amended the Department's regulations at 22 CFR 42.33 to establish an entirely electronic system utilizing a specifically designated Internet Web site, by which aliens can petition for the opportunity to participate in the Diversity Visa Program.

    Why was the petitioning process changed?

    There are three main benefits to changing the mail-in process to an electronic format. First, it helps eliminate multiple applications, prohibited under INA Section 204(a)(1)(I). Secondly, it greatly reduces the cost of administering the system. Finally, it benefits the petitioners by immediately notifying them of the receipt of the petition, impossible under the mail-in system.

    Start Part

    PART 42—VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED

    End Part Start Amendment Part

    Accordingly, the interim rule amending 22 CFR part 42 which was published at 68 FR 49353 on August 18, 2003, is adopted as final without change.

    End Amendment Part Start Signature

    Dated: January 2, 2009.

    Janice L. Jacobs,

    Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Department of State.

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. E9-698 Filed 1-14-09; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4710-06-P

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Document Information

Published:
01/15/2009
Department:
State Department
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
E9-698
Pages:
2369-2369 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Public Notice: 6457
RINs:
1400-AB84: Documentation of Immigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act--Electronic Petition for Diversity Immigrant Status
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1400-AB84/documentation-of-immigrants-under-the-immigration-and-nationality-act-electronic-petition-for-divers
PDF File:
e9-698.pdf
CFR: (1)
22 CFR 42