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63 FR (12/11/1998) » 98-32758. Documentation of Immigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality ActInternational Organization and NATO Civilian Employee Special Immigrants
98-32758. Documentation of Immigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality ActInternational Organization and NATO Civilian Employee Special Immigrants
[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 238 (Friday, December 11, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68393-68394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32758]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 42
[Public Notice 2935]
Documentation of Immigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality
Act--International Organization and NATO Civilian Employee Special
Immigrants
AGENCY: Bureau of Consular Affairs, State.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Department's regulations to comply
with new statutory authority. The rule extends fourth preference
special immigrant classification to civilian employees of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) provided they meet certain
qualifying criteria.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The rule was effective as of October 21, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: H. Edward Odom, Chief, Legislation and
Regulations Division, Visa Services, Department of State, Washington,
DC 20520-0106, (202) 663-1204.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 421 of Subtitle B of the American
Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 in the Omnibus
Appropriations Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-277) enacted on October 21,
1998 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by adding a new
section (L) under section 101(a)(27). This new section entitles
civilian NATO employees, who meet certain requirements, to apply for
special immigrant status under INA 203(b)(4) as defined under INA
101(a)(27)(L). Subsection (L) extends special immigrant status to NATO
civilian employees who meet the same criteria as that required by
international organization employees under subsection (I). The
Department regulation at 22 CFR 42.32(d)(5) permits international
organization employees who are beneficiaries of a petition approved by
the Immigration and Naturalization Service to be classified as a fourth
preference special immigrant under INA 203(b)(4). The Department is,
therefore, amending the regulation to include civilian NATO employees
who have approved special immigrant petitions granting status under INA
101(a)(27)(L).
Final Rule
The implementation of this rule as a final rule, is based upon the
``good cause'' exceptions set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) and
553(d)(3). The provision of law being implemented became effective on
October 21, 1998, the date of the enactment of the Omnibus
Appropriation Act of 1998. Consular officers have been complying with
it based on guidance essentially akin to that in this final rule but
not yet codified in regulations. It is essential that a formal
regulatory order undergird their actions at the earliest possible date.
Promulgation of this rule without opportunity for public comment would
not be contrary to public interest since it expands the special
immigrant category to benefit additional qualified aliens as intended
by the Congress.
It has been determined that this rule will not have a significant
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of
the Regulatory Flexibility Act. This rule imposes no reporting or
recordkeeping action on the public requiring the approval of the Office
of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act
requirements. This rule is exempted from E.O. 12866 but has been
reviewed to ensure consistency therewith.
PART 42--VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION
AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED
List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 42
Aliens, Immigration, Passports and visas.
The Rule
In view of the foregoing, the Department of State amends 22 CFR
part 42 as follows:
1. The authority citation for Part 42 continues to read:
Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1104
2. Amend Sec. 42.32(d)(5) by revising paragraph (d)(5) to read as
follows:
Sec. 42.32 Employment-based preference immigrants.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(5) Certain international organization and NATO civilian
employees--(i) Entitlement to status. An alien is classifiable under
INA 203(b)(4) as a special immigrant defined in INA 101(a)(27)(I) or
(L) if the consular officer has received a petition approved by the INS
to accord such classification, or official notification of such
approval, and the consular officer is satisfied from the evidence
presented that the alien is within one of the classes described
therein.
(ii) Timeliness of application.
An alien accorded status under INA 203(b)(4) because of
qualification under
[[Page 68394]]
INA 101(a)(27)(I) or (L) must appear for the final visa interview and
issuance of the immigrant visa within six months of establishing
entitlement to status.
* * * * *
Dated: December 12, 1998.
Donna J. Hamilton,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-32758 Filed 12-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-06-P
Document Information
- Effective Date:
- 10/21/1998
- Published:
- 12/11/1998
- Department:
- State Department
- Entry Type:
- Rule
- Action:
- Final rule.
- Document Number:
- 98-32758
- Dates:
- The rule was effective as of October 21, 1998.
- Pages:
- 68393-68394 (2 pages)
- Docket Numbers:
- Public Notice 2935
- PDF File:
-
98-32758.pdf
- CFR: (1)
- 22 CFR 42.32