AGENCY:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Through this Notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of Nepal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months, effective December 25, 2016, through June 24, 2018.

This extension allows eligible Nepalese nationals (and aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nepal) to retain TPS through June 24, 2018, so long as they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. The Secretary has determined that an extension is warranted because conditions in Nepal supporting its designation for TPS continue to be met.

Through this Notice, DHS also sets forth procedures necessary for nationals of Nepal (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nepal) to re-register for TPS and to apply for renewal of their Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Re-registration is limited to persons who have previously registered for TPS under the designation of Nepal and whose applications have been granted. Certain nationals of Nepal (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nepal) who have not previously applied for TPS may be eligible to apply under the late initial registration provisions, if they meet: (1) At least one of the late initial filing criteria; and, (2) all TPS eligibility criteria (including continuous residence in the United States since June 24, 2015, and continuous physical presence in the United States since June 24, 2015).

For individuals who have already been granted TPS under Nepal’s designation, the 60-day re-registration period runs from October 26, 2016 through December 27, 2016. USCIS will issue new EADs with a June 24, 2018 expiration date to eligible Nepal TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs under this extension. Given the timeframes involved with processing TPS re-registration applications, DHS recognizes that not all re-registrants will receive new EADs before their current EADs expire on December 24, 2016. Accordingly, through this Notice, DHS automatically extends the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of Nepal for 6 months, through June 24, 2017, and explains how TPS beneficiaries and their employers may determine which EADs are automatically extended and their impact on the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) and E-Verify processes.

DATES:

The 18-month extension of the TPS designation of Nepal is effective December 25, 2016, and will remain in effect through June 24, 2018. The 60-day re-registration period runs from October 26, 2016 through December 27, 2016. (Note: It is important for re-registrants to timely re-register during this 60-day period and not to wait until their EADs expire.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

• For further information on TPS, including guidance on the application process and additional information on eligibility, please visit the USCIS TPS Web page at http://www.uscis.gov/tps.

You can find specific information about the extension of Nepal’s designation for TPS by selecting “Nepal” from the menu on the left side of the TPS Web page.

• You can also contact Guillermo Roman-Riefkohl, TPS Program Manager at the Waivers and Temporary Services Branch, Service Center Operations Directorate, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20529-2060; or by phone at 202-272-1533 (this is not a toll-free number). Note: The phone number provided here is solely for questions regarding this TPS Notice. It is not for individual case status inquires.
• Applicants seeking information about the status of their individual cases can check Case Status Online, available at the USCIS Web site athttp://www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). Service is available in English and Spanish.
• Further information will also be available at local USCIS offices upon publication of this Notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Abbreviations

BIA—Board of Immigration Appeals

DHS—Department of Homeland Security

EAD—Employment Authorization Document

FNC—Final Nonconfirmation

Government—U.S. Government

IJ—Immigration Judge

INA—Immigration and Nationality Act

OSC—Department of Justice, Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices

SAVE—USCIS Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program

Secretary—Secretary of Homeland Security

TNC—Tentative Nonconfirmation

TPS—Temporary Protected Status

TTY—Text Telephone

USCIS—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

• TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of a country designated for TPS under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), or to eligible persons without nationality who last habitually resided in the designated country.
• During the TPS designation period, TPS beneficiaries are eligible to remain in the United States, may not beStart Printed Page 74471removed, and are authorized to work and obtain EADs, so long as they continue to meet the requirements of TPS.
• TPS beneficiaries may be granted travel authorization as a matter of discretion.
• The granting of TPS does not result in or lead to lawful permanent resident status.
• When the Secretary terminates a country’s TPS designation through a separate Federal Register notice, beneficiaries return to the same immigration status they maintained before TPS, if any (unless that status has since expired or been terminated), or to any other lawfully obtained immigration status they received while registered for TPS.

When and why was Nepal designated for TPS?

On June 24, 2015, the Secretary designated Nepal for TPS on environmental disaster grounds for a period of 18 months due to the conditions caused by a severe earthquake that occurred on April 25, 2015. See Designation of Nepal for Temporary Protected Status, 80 FR 36346 (Jun. 24, 2015).

What authority does the Secretary have to extend the designation of Nepal for TPS?

Section 244(b)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1), authorizes the Secretary, after consultation with appropriate U.S. Government (Government) agencies, to designate a foreign state (or part thereof) for TPS if the Secretary finds that certain country conditions exist.^[1] The Secretary can designate a foreign state for TPS based on one of three circumstances. One circumstance is if the Secretary finds that “. . . (i) there has been an earthquake, flood, drought, epidemic, or other environmental disaster in the state resulting in a substantial, but temporary, disruption of living conditions in the area affected, (ii) the foreign state is unable, temporarily, to handle adequately the return to the state of aliens who are nationals of the state, and (iii) the foreign state officially has requested designation under this subparagraph . . .” INA section 244(b)(1)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(B).

Following the designation of a foreign state for TPS, the Secretary may then grant TPS to eligible nationals of that foreign state (or eligible aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in that state). See INA section 244(a)(1)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(1)(A). Applicants must demonstrate that they satisfy all eligibility criteria, including that they have been “continuously physically present” in the United States since the effective date of the designation, which is either the date of the Federal Register notice announcing the designation or such later date as the Secretary may determine, and that they have “continuously resided” in the United States since such date as the Secretary may designate. SeeINA sections 244(a)(1)(A), (b)(2)(A), (c)(1)(A)(i-ii); 8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(1)(A), (b)(2)(A), (c)(1)(A)(i-ii).

Why is the Secretary extending the TPS designation for Nepal through June 24, 2018?

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015 affected more than 8 million people—roughly 25 to 33 percent of Nepal’s population—in 39 of Nepal’s 75 districts. Approximately 9,000 people died and 22,000 were injured. More than 755,000 homes were significantly damaged or destroyed. Although the Government of Nepal’s central ministries and agencies are back to functioning at pre-earthquake levels, reconstruction efforts have proceeded slowly. From late September 2015 until February 2016, earthquake relief and recovery efforts were impeded by civil unrest and the related obstruction of key crossings at the Nepal-India border. The border blockages created difficulties in the delivery of humanitarian relief and reconstruction supplies to earthquake-affected areas.

Life in the 14 districts most affected by the earthquake continues to be disrupted, as most damaged or destroyed homes, schools, health facilities, and other buildings have not yet been repaired or rebuilt. According to the International Organization for Migration, as of August 2, 2016, 18,200 earthquake-affected people remain displaced in camps, representing 15 percent of those who were displaced in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. The Global Report on Internal Displacement 2016 found that Nepal had the third highest level of new displacement related to natural disasters worldwide. The Government of Nepal has committed to using some of the $4.1 billion pledged by international donors to subsidize the rebuilding of 770,000 homes. However, distribution of grants for rebuilding only began in April 2016, 1 year after the earthquake. Because construction is difficult in monsoon season and winter, large-scale reconstruction is unlikely to begin before 2017. In May 2016, Nepal’s Prime Minister estimated that it would take 2 years to complete the reconstruction of private homes.

Sanitation was a challenge even before the earthquake in Nepal, and the earthquake significantly set back progress that had been made, destroying 75 percent of latrines in some affected villages. The earthquake’s impact on safe sanitation continues to be felt, especially in urban areas like the Kathmandu valley, where there are land constraints and higher population densities.

Hospitals, roads, and schools all suffered significant damage in the earthquake and are slated to be rebuilt over the next 5 years, according to the $8.3 billion reconstruction plan from Nepal’s Reconstruction Authority. One year after the earthquake, 35,000 classrooms were estimated to have been destroyed or severely damaged. The U.N. Development Program is still working to clear debris from damaged sites so that education services can be restored. In May 2016, the Prime Minister of Nepal estimated that the reconstruction of schools would take 3 years.

In summary, although conditions in Nepal have improved following the April 2015 earthquake that led to Nepal’s designation for TPS, the recovery and reconstruction process was delayed for several months due to civil unrest and the prolonged obstruction of Nepal’s border with India. Some progress in rebuilding has been made, but Nepal continues to experience large numbers of persons without permanent or safe housing and a strained infrastructure that negatively impacts housing, food, medicine, and education.

Based upon this review and after consultation with appropriate Government agencies, the Secretary finds that:

• There has been an earthquake, flood, drought, epidemic, or other environmental disaster in Nepal resulting in a substantial, but temporary, disruption of living conditions in the area affected. See INA section 244(b)(1)(B)(i), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(B)(i);
• Nepal is unable, temporarily, to handle adequately the return of aliens who are nationals of Nepal. See INA section 244(b)(1)(B)(ii), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(B)(ii); andStart Printed Page 74472
• There are approximately 8,950 beneficiaries under Nepal’s TPS designation.

Notice of the Extension of the TPS Designation of Nepal

By the authority vested in me as Secretary under INA section 244, 8 U.S.C. 1254a, I have determined, after consultation with the appropriate Government agencies, that conditions supporting Nepal’s June 24, 2015 designation for TPS continue to be met. See INA section 244(b)(3)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). On the basis of this determination, I am extending the existing designation of Nepal for TPS for 18 months from December 25, 2016 through June 24, 2018. See INA section 244(b)(3)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1245a(b)(3)(C).

Required Application Forms and Application Fees To Register or Re-Register for TPS

To register or re-register for TPS based on the designation of Nepal, an applicant must submit each of the following two applications:

1. Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821).

• If you are filing an application for late initial registration, you must pay the fee for the Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821). See 8 CFR 244.2(f)(2) and 244.6 and information on late initial filing on the USCIS TPS Web page at http://www.uscis.gov/tps.
• If you are filing an application for re-registration, you do not need to pay the fee for the Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821). See 8 CFR 244.17. and

2. Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765).

• If you are applying for late initial registration and want an EAD, you must pay the fee for the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) only if you are age 14 through 65. No fee for the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) is required if you are under the age of 14 or are 66 and older and applying for late initial registration.
• If you are applying for re-registration, you must pay the fee for the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) only if you want an EAD, regardless of age.
• You do not pay the fee for the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) if you are not requesting an EAD, regardless of whether you are applying for late initial registration or re-registration.

You must submit both completed application forms together. If you are unable to pay for the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) and/or biometrics fee, you may apply for a fee waiver by completing a Request for Fee Waiver (Form I-912) or submit a personal letter requesting a fee waiver, and provide satisfactory supporting documentation. For more information on the application forms and fees for TPS, please visit the USCIS TPS Web page athttp://www.uscis.gov/tps. Fees for the Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821), the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765), and biometric services are also described in 8 CFR 103.7(b)(1)(i).

Biometric Services Fee

Biometrics (such as fingerprints) are required for all applicants 14 years of age or older. Those applicants must submit a biometric services fee. As previously stated, if you are unable to pay for the biometric services fee, you may apply for a fee waiver by completing a Request for Fee Waiver (Form I-912) or by submitting a personal letter requesting a fee waiver, and providing satisfactory supporting documentation. For more information on the biometric services fee, please visit the USCIS Web site at http://www.uscis.gov. If necessary, you may be required to visit an Application Support Center to have your biometrics captured.

Re-Filing a Re-Registration TPS Application After Receiving a Denial of a Fee Waiver Request

USCIS urges all re-registering applicants to file as soon as possible within the 60-day re-registration period so that USCIS can process the applications and issue EADs promptly. Filing early will also allow those applicants who may receive denials of their fee waiver requests to have time to re-file their applications before the re-registration deadline. If, however, an applicant receives a denial of his or her fee waiver request and is unable to re-file by the re-registration deadline, the applicant may still re-file his or her application. This situation will be reviewed to determine whether the applicant has established good cause for late re-registration. However, applicants are urged to re-file within 45 days of the date on their USCIS fee waiver denial notice, if at all possible. See INA section 244(c)(3)(C); 8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(3)(C); 8 CFR 244.17(c). For more information on good cause for late re-registration, visit the USCIS TPS Web page athttp://www.uscis.gov/tps. Note: As previously stated, although a re-registering TPS beneficiary age 14 and older must pay the biometric services fee (but not the initial TPS application fee) when filing a TPS re-registration application, the applicant may decide to wait to request an EAD, and therefore not pay the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) fee, until after USCIS has approved the individual’s TPS re-registration, if he or she is eligible. If you choose to do this, you would file the Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821) with the fee and the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) without the fee and without requesting an EAD.

Mailing Information

Mail your application for TPS to the proper address in Table 1.

1. If you would like to send your application by U.S. Postal Service:

USCIS, P.O. Box 7555,

Chicago, IL 60680.

2. If you would like to send your application by non-U.S. Postal Service courier

Attn: Nepal TPS, 131 S. Dearborn 3rd Floor,

Chicago, IL 60603.

E-Filing

You cannot electronically file your application packet when applying for initial registration for TPS. Please mail your application packet to the mailing address listed in Table 1.

Supporting Documents

What type of basic supporting documentation must I submit?

To meet the basic eligibility requirements for TPS, you must submit evidence that you:

• Are a national of Nepal or an alien having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nepal. Such documents may include a copy of your passport if available, other documentation issued by the Government of Nepal showing your nationality (e.g., national identity card, official travel documentation issued by the Government of Nepal), and/or your birth certificate with English translation accompanied by photo identification. USCIS will also consider certain forms of secondary evidence supporting your Nepalese nationality. If the evidence presented is insufficient for USCIS to make a determination as to your nationality, USCIS may request additional evidence. If you cannot provide a passport, birth certificate with photo identification, or a national identity document with your photo or fingerprint, you must submit an affidavit showing proof of your unsuccessful efforts to obtain such documents and affirming that you are a national of Nepal. However, please be aware that an interview with an immigration officer will be required if you do not present any documentary proof of identity or nationality or if USCIS otherwise requests a personal appearance.See 8 CFR 103.2(b)(9), 244.9(a)(1);
• Have continuously resided in the United States since June 24, 2015. See INA section 244(c)(1)(A)(ii); 8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(1)(A)(ii); 8 CFR 244.9(a)(2); and
• Have been continuously physically present in the United States since June 24, 2015. See INA sections 244(b)(2)(A), (c)(1)(A)(i); 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(2)(A), (c)(1)(A)(i).

You must also present two color passport-style photographs of yourself. The filing instructions on the Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821) list all the documents needed to establish basic eligibility for TPS. You may also find information on the acceptable documentation and other requirements for applying for TPS on the USCIS Web site at http://www.uscis.gov/tps under “TPS Designated Country: Nepal.”

Do I need to submit additional supporting documentation?

If one or more of the questions listed in Part 4, Question 2 of the Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821) applies to you, then you must submit an explanation on a separate sheet(s) of paper and/or additional documentation. Depending on the nature of the question(s) you are addressing, additional documentation alone may suffice, but usually a written explanation will also be needed.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

How can I obtain information on the status of my EAD request?

To get case status information about your TPS application, including the status of a request for an EAD, you can check Case Status Online athttp://www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). If your Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) has been pending for more than 90 days and you still need assistance, you may request an EAD inquiry appointment with USCIS by using the InfoPass system at https://infopass.uscis.gov. However, we strongly encourage you first to check Case Status Online or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center for assistance before making an InfoPass appointment.

Am I eligible to receive an automatic 6-month extension of my current EAD through June 24, 2017?

Provided that you currently have TPS under the designation of Nepal, this Notice automatically extends your EAD by 6 months if you:

• Are a national of Nepal (or an alien having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nepal);
• Received an EAD under the initial designation of TPS for Nepal; and
• Have an EAD with a marked expiration date of December 24, 2016, bearing the notation “A-12” or “C-19” on the face of the card under “Category.”

Although this Notice automatically extends your EAD through June 24, 2017, you must re-register timely for TPS in accordance with the procedures described in this Notice if you would like to maintain your TPS.

When hired, what documentation may I show to my employer as proof of employment authorization and identity when completing Form I-9?

You can find a list of acceptable document choices on the “Lists of Acceptable Documents” for Form I-9. You can find additional detailed information on the USCIS I-9 Central Web page at http://www.uscis.gov/I-9Central. Employers are required to verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees by using Form I-9. Within 3 days of hire, an employee must present proof of identity and employment authorization to his or her employer.

You may present any document from List A (reflecting both your identity and employment authorization) or one document from List B (reflecting identity) together with one document from List C (reflecting employment authorization). Or you may present an acceptable receipt for List A, List B, or List C documents as described in the Form I-9 Instructions. An EAD is an acceptable document under “List A.” Employers may not reject a document based on a future expiration date.

If your EAD has an expiration date of December 24, 2016, and states “A-12” or “C-19” under “Category,” it has been extended automatically for 6 months by virtue of this Federal Register Notice, and you may choose to present your EAD to your employer as proof of identity and employment authorization for Form I-9 through June 24, 2017 (see the subsection titled “How do my employer and I complete the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) using an automatically extended EAD for a new job?” for further information). To minimize confusion over this extension at the time of hire, you should explain to your employer that USCIS has automatically extended your EAD through June 24, 2017. You may also show your employer a copy of this Federal RegisterNotice confirming the automatic extension of employment authorization through June 24, 2017. As an alternative to presenting your automatically extended EAD, you may choose to present any other acceptable document from List A, a combination of one selection from List B and one selection from List C, or a valid receipt.

What documentation may I show my employer if I am already employed but my current TPS-related EAD is set to expire?

Even though EADs with an expiration date of December 24, 2016, that state “A-12” or “C-19” under “Category” Start Printed Page 74474have been automatically extended for 6 months by this Federal Register Notice, your employer will need to ask you about your continued employment authorization once December 24, 2016, is reached to meet its responsibilities for Form I-9 compliance. Your employer may need to reinspect your automatically extended EAD to check the expiration date and code to record the updated expiration date on your Form I-9 if he or she did not keep a copy of this EAD when you initially presented it. However, your employer does not need a new document to reverify your employment authorization until June 24, 2017, the expiration date of the automatic extension. Instead, you and your employer must make corrections to the employment authorization expiration dates in Section 1 and Section 2 of Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) (see the subsection titled “What corrections should my current employer and I make to Form I-9 if my EAD has been automatically extended?” for further information). In addition, you may also show this Federal Register Notice to your employer to explain what to do for Form I-9.

By June 24, 2017, the expiration date of the automatic extension, your employer must reverify your employment authorization. At that time, you must present any document from List A or any document from List C on Form I-9 to reverify employment authorization, or an acceptable List A or List C receipt described in the Form I-9 Instructions. Your employer should complete either Section 3 of the Form I-9 originally completed for you or, if this Section has already been completed or if the version of Form I-9 has expired (check the date in the upper right-hand corner of the form), complete Section 3 of a new Form I-9 of the most current version. Note that employers may not specify which List A or List C document employees must present and cannot reject an acceptable receipt.

Can my employer require that I produce any other documentation to prove my status, such as proof of my Nepalese citizenship?

No. When completing Employment Form I-9, including re-verifying employment authorization, employers must accept any documentation that appears on the Lists of Acceptable Documents for Form I-9 that reasonably appears to be genuine and that relates to you or an acceptable List A, List B, or List C receipt. Employers may not request documentation that does not appear on the Lists of Acceptable Documents for Form I-9. Therefore, employers may not request proof of Nepalese citizenship or proof of re-registration for TPS when completing Form I-9 for new hires, making corrections, or reverifying the employment authorization of current employees. If presented with EADs that have been automatically extended, employers should accept such EADs as valid List A documents so long as the EADs reasonably appear to be genuine and to relate to the employee. Refer to the Note to Employees section of this Notice for important information about your rights if your employer rejects lawful documentation, requires additional documentation, or otherwise discriminates against you based on your citizenship or immigration status, or your national origin.

What happens after June 24, 2017, for purposes of employment authorization?

After June 24, 2017, employers may no longer accept the EADs that were issued under the initial TPS designation of Nepal and that this Federal RegisterNotice automatically extended. Before that time, however, USCIS will endeavor to issue new EADs to eligible TPS re-registrants who request them. These new EADs will have an expiration date of June 24, 2018, and can be presented to your employer for completion of Form I-9. Alternatively, you may choose to present any other legally acceptable document or combination of documents listed on the Lists of Acceptable Documents for Form I-9.

How do my employer and I complete Form I-9 using an automatically extended EAD for a new job?

When using an automatically extended EAD to complete Form I-9 for a new job prior to June 24, 2017, you and your employer should do the following:

1. For Section 1, you should:

a. Check “An alien authorized to work;”

b. Write your alien number (USCIS number or A-number) in the first space (your EAD or other document from DHS will have your USCIS number or A-number printed on it; the USCIS number is the same as your A-number without the A prefix); and

c. Write the automatically extended EAD expiration date (June 24, 2017) in the second space.

2. For Section 2, employers should record the:

a. Document title;

b. Document number; and

c. Automatically extended EAD expiration date (June 24, 2017).

By June 24, 2017, employers must reverify the employee’s employment authorization in Section 3 of Form I-9.

What corrections should my current employer and I make to Form I-9 if my EAD has been automatically extended?

If you are an existing employee who presented a TPS-related EAD that was valid when you first started your job, but that EAD has now been automatically extended, your employer may need to reinspect your automatically extended EAD if your employer does not have a copy of the EAD on file, and you and your employer should correct your previously completed Form I-9 as follows:

1. For Section 1, you should:

a. Draw a line through the expiration date in the second space;

b. Write “June 24, 2017,” above the previous date;

c. Write “TPS Ext.” in the margin of Section 1; and

d. Initial and date the correction in the margin of Section 1.

2. For Section 2, employers should:

a. Draw a line through the expiration date written in Section 2;

b. Write “June 24, 2017,” above the previous date;

c. Write “TPS Ext.” in the margin of Section 2; and

d. Initial and date the correction in the margin of Section 2.

By June 24, 2017, when the automatic extension of EADs expires, employers must reverify the employee’s employment authorization in Section 3.

If I am an employer enrolled in E-Verify, what do I do when I receive a “Work Authorization Documents Expiration” alert for an automatically extended EAD?

E-Verify automated the verification process for employees whose TPS status was automatically extended in a Federal Register notice. If you have an employee who is a TPS beneficiary who provided a TPS-related EAD when he or she first started working for you, you will receive a “Work Authorization Documents Expiring” case alert when the auto-extension period for this EAD is about to expire. By June 24, 2017, you must reverify employment authorization in Section 3. Employers should not use E-Verify for reverification.

Note to All Employers

Employers are reminded that the laws requiring proper employment eligibility verification and prohibiting unfair immigration-related employment practices remain in full force. This Notice does not supersede or in any way limit applicable employment Start Printed Page 74475verification rules and policy guidance, including those rules setting forth reverification requirements. For general questions about the employment eligibility verification process, employers may call USCIS at 888-464-4218 (TTY 877-875-6028) or email USCIS at I-9Central@dhs.gov. Calls and emails are accepted in English and many other languages. For questions about avoiding discrimination during the employment eligibility verification process, employers may also call the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) Employer Hotline, at 800-255-8155 (TTY 800-237-2515), which offers language interpretation in numerous languages, or email OSC at osccrt@usdoj.gov.

Note to Employees

For general questions about the employment eligibility verification process, employees may call USCIS at 888-897-7781 (TTY 877-875-6028) or email at I-9Central@dhs.gov. Calls are accepted in English and many other languages. Employees or applicants may also call the OSC Worker Information Hotline at 800-255-7688 (TTY 800-237-2515) for information regarding employment discrimination based upon citizenship status, immigration status, or national origin, including information regarding discrimination related to Form I-9 and E-Verify. The OSC Worker Information Hotline provides language interpretation in numerous languages.

To comply with the law, employers must accept any document or combination of documents from the Lists of Acceptable Documents for Form I-9 if the documentation reasonably appears to be genuine and to relate to the employee, or an acceptable List A, List B, or List C receipt described in the Form I-9 Instructions. Employers may not require extra or additional documentation beyond what is required for Form I-9 completion. Further, employers participating in E-Verify who receive an E-Verify case result of “Tentative Nonconfirmation” (TNC) must promptly and privately inform employees of the TNC and give such employees an opportunity to contest the TNC. A TNC case result means that the information entered into E-Verify from Form I-9 differs from Federal or state government records.

Employers may not terminate, suspend, delay training, withhold pay, lower pay or take any adverse action against an employee based on the employee’s decision to contest a TNC or because the case is still pending with E-Verify. A Final Nonconfirmation (FNC) case result is received when E-Verify cannot verify an employee’s employment eligibility. An employer may terminate employment based on a case result of FNC. Work-authorized employees who receive an FNC may call USCIS for assistance at 888-897-7781 (TTY 877-875-6028). An employee that believes he or she was discriminated against by an employer in the E-Verify process based on citizenship or immigration status, or based on national origin, may contact OSC’s Worker Information Hotline at 800-255-7688 (TTY 800-237-2515). Additional information about proper nondiscriminatory Form I-9 and E-Verify procedures is available on the OSC Web site athttp://www.justice.gov/crt/about/osc/ and the USCIS Web site athttp://www.dhs.gov/E-verify.

Note Regarding Federal, State, and Local Government Agencies (Such as Departments of Motor Vehicles)

While Federal Government agencies must follow the guidelines laid out by the Federal Government, state, and local government agencies establish their own rules and guidelines when granting certain benefits. Each state may have different laws, requirements, and determinations about what documents you need to provide to prove eligibility for certain benefits. Whether you are applying for a Federal, state, or local government benefit, you may need to provide the government agency with documents that show you are a TPS beneficiary and/or show you are authorized to work based on TPS. Examples are:

(1) Your unexpired EAD that has been automatically extended or your EAD that has not expired;

(2) A copy of this Federal Register Notice if your EAD is automatically extended under this Notice;

(3) A copy of your Application for Temporary Protected Status Notice of Action (Form I-797) for this re-registration;

(4) A copy of your past or current Application for Temporary Protected Status Notice of Action (Form I-797), if you received one from USCIS; and/or

(5) If there is an automatic extension of work authorization, a copy of the fact sheet from the USCIS TPS Web site that provides information on the automatic extension.

Check with the government agency regarding which document(s) the agency will accept. You may also provide the agency with a copy of this Federal RegisterNotice.

Some benefit-granting agencies use the USCIS Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE) to confirm the current immigration status of applicants for public benefits. In most cases, SAVE provides an automated electronic response to benefit granting agencies within seconds but occasionally verification can be delayed. You can check the status of your SAVE verification by using CaseCheck at the following link: https://save.uscis.gov/casecheck/, then by clicking the “Check Your Case” button. CaseCheck is a free and fast service that lets you follow the progress of your SAVE verification using your date of birth and one immigration identifier number. If a benefit-granting agency has denied your application based solely or in part on a SAVE response, the agency must offer you the opportunity to appeal the decision in accordance with the agency’s procedures. If the agency has received and acted upon or will act upon a SAVE verification and you do not believe the response is correct, you may make an InfoPass appointment for an in-person interview at a local USCIS office. Detailed information on how to make corrections, make an appointment, or submit a written request to correct records under the Freedom of Information Act can be found at the SAVE Web site at http://www.uscis.gov/save, then by choosing “For Benefit Applicants” from the menu on the left and selecting “Questions about your Records?”

Footnotes

link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/10/26/2016-25907/extension-of-the-designation-of-nepal-for-temporary-protected-status