[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16634-16635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7683]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Immigration and Naturalization Service
[INS No. 2044-00; AG Order No. 2295-2000]
RIN 1115-AE26
Designation of Angola Under the Temporary Protected Status
Program
AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Attorney General is authorized to grant Temporary
Protected Status (TPS) in the United States to eligible nationals of
designated foreign states or parts of such states (or to eligible
aliens who have no nationality and who last habitually resided in such
designated states) upon a finding that such states are experiencing
ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary
and temporary conditions. Due to the armed conflict in Angola, which
prevents the safe return of nationals of that country, this notice
designates Angola for the TPS program for a period of 12 months, until
March 29, 2001. This notice provides information regarding eligibility
and application procedures.
DATES: This designation is effective on March 29, 2000, and will remain
in effect until March 29, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Valverde, Residence and Status
Branch, Adjudications, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I
Street, NW., room 3214, Washington, DC 20536, telephone (202) 514-4754.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Why Did the Attorney General Decide To Designate Angola Under the
TPS Program?
Based on a thorough review by the Departments of State and Justice,
the Attorney General finds that there is significant ongoing armed
conflict in Angola, and that the return of aliens who are nationals of
Angola (as well as aliens having no nationality who last habitually
resided in Angola) would pose a serious risk to their personal safety.
A Department of State memorandum on Angola states that: ``Fighting is
now once again widespread throughout much of Angola. Some 70% of
Angola's area is currently outside effective government control. The
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has called for a
moratorium on returns to Angola as a result of the conflict and
resulting insecurity within the country.''
Based on these and other findings, the Attorney General has
determined that
[[Page 16635]]
the armed conflict in Angola and related extraordinary and temporary
conditions prevent the safe return of aliens who are nationals of
Angola (as well as aliens having no nationality who last habitually
resided in Angola). The Attorney General further finds that permitting
such aliens to remain temporarily in the United States is not contrary
to the national interests of the United States.
Who Is Eligible for TPS Under This Designation?
In order to be eligible for TPS under this designation, an alien
must:
Be a national of Angola (or an alien having no nationality
who last habitually resided in Angola);
Have been continuously physically present in the United
States since March 29, 2000.
Have continuously resided in the United States since March
29, 2000.
Be admissible as an immigrant except as provided under
section 244(c)(2)(A) of the Act, and not ineligible under section
244(c)(2)(B) of the Act; and must
Apply for TPS within the registration period which begins
on March 29, 2000, and ends on March 29, 2001.
Does Applying for TPS Affect an Application for Asylum or Any Other
Immigration Benefit?
No. Any national of Angola who has already applied for, or plans to
apply for asylum, but whose asylum application has not yet been
approved may also apply for TPS. An application for TPS does not affect
an application for asylum or any other immigration benefit. Denial of
an application for asylum or any other immigration benefit does not
affect an alien's ability to register for TPS, although the grounds of
denial of that application may also lead to denial of TPS. For example,
an alien who has been convicted of an aggravated felony is not eligible
for asylum or TPS.
How Do I Register for TPS?
Applicants from Angola may register for TPS by:
Filing an Application for Temporary Protected Status, Form
I-821, with a $50 filing fee and a $25 fingerprint fee;
Providing two identification photographs (1\1/2\" x 1\1/
2\");
Providing supporting evidence, as provided in 8 CFR 244.9
(evidence of identity and nationality, and proof of residence); and
Filing an Application for Employment Authorization, Form
I-765.
The chart below contains information regarding payment of the $100
fee for filing Form I-765, and information regarding fee waivers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If Then
------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are applying for employment You must complete and file
authorization through March 29, 2001. the Form I-765, Application
for Employment
Authorization, with the
$100 fee.
You already have employment authorization You must complete and file
or do not require employment the Form I-765, Application
authorization. for Employment
Authorization, without a
fee.
You are requesting a fee waiver for the You must complete and file
$50 fee for the Form I-821 and/or the the Form I-821, the Form I-
$100 fee for the Form I-765. 765, a the requisite fee
waiver request and
affidavit (and any other
information), in accordance
with 8 CFR 244.20.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where Should I Submit My Application for TPS?
You should submit your application for TPS at the Service district
office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
What Happens After March 29, 2000, the Date the Initial Designation
Expires?
Pursuant to section 244(b)(3)(A) of the Act, the Attorney General
will review, at least 60 days before March 29, 2001, the conditions in
Angola to determine whether the conditions for designation of Angola
under the TPS program continue to exist. Notice of that determination,
including the basis for the determination, will be published in the
Federal Register.
If the initial TPS designation is extended at that time, an alien
who is granted TPS must register for any extension of the TPS program
in order to maintain TPS. On the other hand, if the TPS designation is
not extended after March 29, 2001, those aliens granted TPS will revert
back to the immigration status they had prior to TPS, if still
available, unless they have been granted another benefit.
Notice of Designation of Angola Under the Temporary Protected
Status Program
By the authority vested in me as Attorney General under section 244
of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended (8 U.S.C. 1254a), I
find, after consultation with the appropriate agencies of the
Government, that:
(1) There is an ongoing armed conflict within Angola and, due to
such conflict, requiring the return of aliens who are nationals of
Angola (as well as aliens having no nationally who last habitually
resided in Angola) would pose a serious threat to their personal
safety;
(2) There exist extraordinary and temporary conditions in Angola
that prevent aliens who are nationals of Angola (as well as aliens
having no nationally who last habitually resided in Angola) from
returning to Angola in safety; and
(3) Permitting nationals of Angola (or aliens having no nationality
who last habitually resided in Angola) to remain temporarily in the
United States is not contrary to the national interests of the United
States. Accordingly, I order as follows:
(1) Angola is designated for TPS under section 244(b)(1)(A) and (C)
of the Act. Nationals of Angola (or aliens having no nationality who
last habitually resided in Angola) who have been ``continuously
physically present'' and have ``continuously resided'' in the United
States since March 29, 2000, may apply for TPS within the registration
period, which begins on March 29, 2000, and ends on March 29, 2001.
(2) I estimate that there are no more than 1,700 nationals of
Angola (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in
Angola) in the United States who are eligible for TPS.
(3) Information concerning the TPS program for nationals of Angola
(or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Angola)
will be available at the Service website, located at http://www.ins.usdoj.gov, or at local Immigration and Naturalization Service
offices upon publication of this notice.
Dated: March 22, 2000.
Janet Reno,
Attorney General.
[FR Doc. 00-7683 Filed 3-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-10-M