00-19179. Extension of Memorandum of Understanding for Fines Mitigation Under Section 273 of the Immigration and Nationality Act

AGENCY:

Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Air and sea transportation companies (carriers) may enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (Service). This MOU provides for mitigation of fines imposed under section 273 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) related to transporting passengers without passports or visas. By signing the MOU, the carrier agrees to perform certain measures aimed at intercepting improperly documented aliens at foreign ports-of-embarkation. These MOUs are currently set to expire on September 30, 2000. This notice serves to extend the expiration date until September 30, 2001.

DATES:

This notice is effective July 31, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Una Brien, National Fines Office, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1525 Wilson Blvd., Suite 425, Arlington, VA 22209, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under What Authority Can the Service Reduce Fines?

Pursuant to section 273(e) of the Act, a violation for section 273(a)(1) of the Act may be reduced, refunded, or waived in cases in which a carrier demonstrates that it screened all passengers on the vessel or aircraft in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Attorney General, or circumstances exist that the Attorney General determines would justify such reduction, refund, or waiver.

The Service published a final rule in the Federal Register at 63 FR 23643 (April 30, 1998) establishing procedures that carriers must undertake for the proper screening of passengers at the ports-of-embarkation to become eligible for a reduction, refund, or waiver of a fine imposed under section 273 of the Act.

The final rule provided that carriers that voluntarily signed an MOU with the Service would receive an automatic reduction, refund, or waiver of fines imposed under section 273 of the Act. By signing the MOU, the carrier agrees in writing to meet passenger screening standards stated in 8 CFR 273.3, to train employees in documentary requirements, and to pay fines and user fees promptly. The Service agrees to provide document training and information guides to carriers and to mitigate fines as appropriate.

How Does the Service Measure the Carrier's Screening Performance?

The numerical standard, or Acceptable Performance Level (APL), is calculated by adding the total number of section 273(a)(1) violations involving nonimmigrants for all carriers, divided by the total number of nonimmigrants transported by all carriers, multiplied by 1,000. Each carrier is then rated against the APL using individual Performance Levels (PL). A carrier's individual PL is calculated by applying the same formula used to calculate the APL.

Carriers that meet or exceed the APL may be eligible for automatic fines reductions if the carrier entered into an MOU with the Service.

If a carrier's PL is not at or better than the APL, the carrier may still receive an automatic fine reduction of 25 percent if it is signatory to and in compliance with the MOU.

In order to provide carriers with additional incentives to screen documents, a second reduction factor (APL2) was developed. The APL2 uses the same formula but only uses the number of violations and total passenger counts for carriers whose PL fails between 0 and the APL. These carriers will automatically receive an additional 25 percent reduction.

Why Is the Service Extending the Expiration Date for MOUs?

The Service is not contemplating any amendments to the current MOU before September 30, 2000. In this light, an extension of all existing MOUs will benefit both the Service and the carriers by avoiding the administrative costs that would result had the Service required that a new MOU be executed for each carrier. Carriers will remain eligible for automatic fine reductions during the extended period of the MOUs validity as long as the signatory carrier is in compliance with screening standards, training requirements, and payment requirements enumerated in the MOUs.

Will the Measurements for Screening Performance Be Changed?

The measurement for screening performance set forth in the Federal Register at 63 FR 23643 (April 30, 1998) will continue to remain in effect. The Service will inform carriers of any plans to change the methods used to calculate a carrier's screening performance by publishing a notice in the Federal Register.

Can a Carrier Sign Up for the MOU After September 30, 2000?

A carrier can apply to be signatory to the MOU at any time. A carrier must meet all requirements before their MOU will be approved. Generally, a carrier must have a PL either at or better than the Service's APL and must be current in its payment of all administrative fines, liquidated damages, and user fees. If a carrier does not have a PL or does not have a PL that meets the Service's APL, the carrier must submit evidence to demonstrate that they have screening procedures in place to prevent transporting improperly documented aliens to the United States. Once an MOU is approved, violations that occurred on or after the date of MOU signing will receive the automatic reductions.

How Does a Carrier or the Service Terminate an Existing MOU?

Either party may terminate an MOU upon 30 days written notice.

Dated: July 7, 2000.

Doris Meissner,

Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service.