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