[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 21 (Thursday, January 31, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 888-957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-00302]



[[Page 887]]

Vol. 84

Thursday,

No. 21

January 31, 2019

Part II





 Department of Homeland Security





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8 CFR Part 214





 Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking To File H-1B 
Petitions on Behalf of Cap-Subject Aliens; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 21 / Thursday, January 31, 2019 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 888]]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

8 CFR Part 214

[CIS No. 2326-19; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2008-0014]
RIN 1615-AB71


Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking To File H-1B 
Petitions on Behalf of Cap-Subject Aliens

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends Department of Homeland Security 
(``DHS'' or ``the Department'') regulations governing petitions filed 
on behalf of H-1B beneficiaries who may be counted toward the 65,000 
visa cap established under the Immigration and Nationality Act (``H-1B 
regular cap'') or beneficiaries with advanced degrees from U.S. 
institutions of higher education who are eligible for an exemption from 
the regular cap (``advanced degree exemption''). The amendments require 
petitioners seeking to file H-1B petitions subject to the regular cap, 
including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, to first 
electronically register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 
(``USCIS'') during a designated registration period, unless the 
registration requirement is temporarily suspended. USCIS is suspending 
the registration requirement for the fiscal year 2020 cap season to 
complete all requisite user testing of the new H-1B registration system 
and otherwise ensure the system and process are operable.
    This final rule also changes the process by which USCIS counts H-1B 
registrations (or petitions, for FY 2020 or any other year in which the 
registration requirement will be suspended), by first selecting 
registrations submitted on behalf of all beneficiaries, including those 
eligible for the advanced degree exemption. USCIS will then select from 
the remaining registrations a sufficient number projected as needed to 
reach the advanced degree exemption. Changing the order in which USCIS 
counts these separate allocations will likely increase the number of 
beneficiaries with a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution 
of higher education to be selected for further processing under the H-
1B allocations. USCIS will proceed with implementing this change to the 
cap allocation selection process for the FY 2020 cap season (beginning 
on April 1, 2019), notwithstanding the delayed implementation of the H-
1B registration requirement.

DATES: This final rule is effective April 1, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Buten, Adjudications 
(Policy) Officer, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and 
Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts 
Avenue NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20529-2140; Telephone (202) 272-
8377.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Executive Summary
    A. Purpose and Summary of the Regulatory Action
    B. Legal Authority
    C. Summary of Changes From the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
    D. Summary of Costs and Benefits
    E. Effective Date
    F. Implementation
II. Background
    A. The H-1B Visa Program and Numerical Cap and Exemptions
    B. Current Selection Process
    C. Final Rule
III. Public Comments on the Proposed Rule
    A. Summary of Public Comments
    B. Statutory and Legal Issues
    C. General Support for the NPRM
    D. General Opposition to the NPRM
    E. H-1B Registration Requirement
    1. Support for Registration Program
    2. Opposition to Registration Program
    3. Announcement and Length of Registration Periods
    4. Required Registration Information
    5. Timeline for the Implementation of the H-1B Registration 
Requirement
    6. Fraud and Abuse Prevention for Registration Requirement
    a. Suggestions Related to Fee Collection
    b. Suggestions To Deter Fraud Related to Employers/Petitioners
    c. Suggestions To Deter Fraud Related to Beneficiaries
    7. Other Comments on H-1B Registration Program
    F. Selection, Notification, and Filing of H-1B Petitions
    1. Annual Cap Projections, Reserve Registrations, Registration 
Re-Opening
    2. Notification
    3. Filing Time Periods
    G. Advanced Degree Exemption Allocation Amendment
    1. Support for the Reversal of Selection Order
    2. Opposition to the Reversal of Selection Order
    3. Changed Order of Selecting Registrations or Petitions To 
Reach the Cap Allocations
    H. Other Issues Relating to the Rule
    1. Request to Extend the Comment Period
    2. Miscellaneous
    I. Public Comments on Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
    1. Costs of the Registration Requirement
    2. Benefits of the Registration Requirement
    3. Labor Market Impacts on the Reversal of Selection Order
    4. Other Costs and Benefits of the Reversal of Selection Order
    J. Public Comments and Responses to Paperwork Reduction Act
    K. Out of Scope
IV. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
    A. Executive Order 12866 and 13563
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    C. Executive Order 13771
    D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    E. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
    F. Congressional Review Act
    G. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)
    H. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)
    I. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
    J. Paperwork Reduction Act

I. Executive Summary

A. Purpose and Summary of the Regulatory Action

    DHS is amending its regulations to require petitioners seeking to 
file H-1B cap-subject petitions, which includes petitions subject to 
the regular cap and those asserting eligibility for the advanced degree 
exemption, to first electronically register with USCIS.
    This final rule also amends the process by which USCIS selects H-1B 
petitions toward the projected number of petitions needed to reach the 
regular cap and advanced degree exemption. Changing the order in which 
petitions are selected will likely increase the total number of 
petitions selected under the regular cap for H-1B beneficiaries who 
possess a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher 
education each fiscal year.

B. Legal Authority

    The Secretary of Homeland Security's authority for these regulatory 
amendments is found in various sections of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq., and the Homeland Security 
Act of 2002 (HSA), Public Law 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135, 6 U.S.C. 101 et 
seq. General authority for issuing this final rule is found in section 
103(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1103(a), which authorizes the Secretary to 
administer and enforce the immigration and nationality laws, as well as 
section 112 of the HSA, 6 U.S.C. 112, which vests all of the functions 
of DHS in the Secretary and authorizes the Secretary to issue 
regulations. Further authority for these regulatory amendments is found 
in:
    <bullet> Section 214(a)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1184(a)(1), which 
authorizes the Secretary to prescribe by regulation the

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terms and conditions of the admission of nonimmigrants;
    <bullet> Section 214(c) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1184(c), which, inter 
alia, authorizes the Secretary to prescribe how an importing employer 
may petition for an H nonimmigrant worker, and the information that an 
importing employer must provide in the petition; and
    <bullet> Section 214(g) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1184(g), which, inter 
alia, prescribes the H-1B and H-2B numerical limitations, various 
exceptions to those limitations, and criteria concerning the order of 
processing H-1B and H-2B petitions.

C. Summary of Changes From the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

    Following careful consideration of public comments received, 
including relevant data provided by stakeholders, DHS has made a few 
modifications to the regulatory text proposed in the Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (NPRM) published in the Federal Register on December 3, 
2018. See 83 FR 62406. Those changes include the following:
    <bullet> Initial registration period. In the final rule, DHS is 
responding to a public comment by revising proposed 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(3), a provision that identifies the initial 
registration period. In the NPRM, DHS proposed that USCIS would 
announce the start and end dates of the initial registration period on 
the USCIS website, but did not specify when these periods would be 
announced. In response to a comment suggesting that DHS include a 30-
day notice requirement prior to the commencement of the initial 
registration period, DHS is adding that USCIS will announce the start 
of the initial registration period at least 30 calendar days in advance 
of such date. In addition, DHS will publish a notice in the Federal 
Register to announce the initial implementation of the H-1B 
registration process in advance of the cap season in which such process 
will be implemented.
    <bullet> Limitation on requested start date. In the final rule, DHS 
is responding to public comment by revising proposed 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(4), a provision that identifies when a petitioner 
may submit a registration during the initial registration period. In 
the NPRM, DHS proposed that the requested start date for the 
beneficiary be the first business day for the applicable fiscal year. A 
commenter pointed out that this requirement created a mismatch in the 
date requirement for cap-gap protection and the proposed date 
requirement for this new registration process, which could make it 
impossible for H-1B petitioners and beneficiaries to receive the cap-
gap protections afforded by 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(vi). In order to correct 
this mismatch, DHS is removing the word ``business'' and revising the 
text to refer to the first day for the applicable fiscal year.
    <bullet> Filing period. In the final rule, DHS is responding to 
public comments by revising proposed 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(D)(2), a 
provision that indicates the filing period for H-1B cap-subject 
petitions. In the NPRM, DHS proposed that the filing period will be at 
least 60 days. In response to public comments stating that 60 days is 
an insufficient amount of time for a company to gather all the 
necessary documentation to properly file the petition, DHS is revising 
the filing period to be at least 90 days.\1\
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    \1\ In the NPRM, DHS discussed in the preamble to the proposal 
to stagger filing periods, such that the initial date after which 
petitions based on selected registrations could be filed would be 
spread out over time. However, in response to comments concerning 
the potential for negative impact for beneficiaries relying on 
existing cap-gap provisions in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(vi), DHS is not 
proceeding with staggered filing periods in this final rule.
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    <bullet> Eligible for exemption. In this final rule, DHS is making 
several non-substantive changes to the regulatory text as proposed to 
ensure that the terminology used is consistent with the statute when 
describing petitions, and associated registrations, filed on behalf of 
those who may be eligible for exemption under section 214(g)(5)(C) of 
the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(5)(C). For example, in 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(5), DHS deleted ``counted'' and replaced it with 
``eligible for exemption.'' Similar changes were made in 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(1), (h)(8)(iii)(A)(6)(i) and (ii), (h)(8)(iii)(D), 
and (h)(8)(iv)(B)(1).
    <bullet> Petitions determined not to be exempt. In this final rule, 
DHS is making non-substantive edits in 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iv)(B) to 
clarify how USCIS may process petitions, when the registration 
requirement is suspended, that claim exemption from the numerical 
restrictions but are determined not to be exempt.

With the exception of changes discussed in this final rule, DHS is 
finalizing this rule as proposed.

D. Summary of Costs, Benefits, and Transfers

    DHS is amending its regulations governing the process for petitions 
filed on behalf of cap-subject H-1B workers. Specifically, this final 
rule adds a registration requirement for petitioners seeking to file H-
1B cap-subject petitions on behalf of foreign workers. Additionally, 
this final rule changes the order in which H-1B cap-subject 
registrations will be selected towards the applicable projections 
needed to meet the annual H-1B regular cap and advanced degree 
exemption in order to increase the odds of selection for H-1B 
beneficiaries who have earned a master's or higher degree from a U.S. 
institution of higher education.
    All petitioners seeking to file an H-1B cap-subject petition will 
have to submit a registration, unless the registration requirement is 
suspended by USCIS consistent with this final rule. As required under 
this final rule and the registration requirement, when applicable, only 
those whose registrations are selected (termed ``selected registrant'' 
\2\ for purposes of this analysis) will be eligible to file an H-1B 
cap-subject petition for those selected registrations during the 
associated filing period. Therefore, as selected registrants under the 
registration requirement, selected petitioners will incur additional 
opportunity costs of time to complete the electronic registration 
relative to the costs of completing and filing the associated H-1B 
petition, the latter costs being unchanged from the current H-1B 
petitioning process. Conversely, those who complete registrations that 
are unselected because of excess demand (termed ``unselected 
registrant'' for purposes of this analysis) will experience cost 
savings relative to the current process, as they will no longer have to 
complete an entire H-1B cap-subject petition that ultimately does not 
get selected for USCIS processing and adjudication as done by current 
unselected petitioners, unless the registration requirement is 
suspended.
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    \2\ DHS notes that one entity may submit multiple registrations 
which could result in a mix of selected and unselected outcomes. For 
the purpose of this analysis, the terms ``selected registrant'' and 
``unselected registrant'' refer to the originator of a submission 
based on its outcome and should not be deemed a unilateral label for 
a single entity. Using this terminology it is possible for a single 
entity to experience impacts simultaneously as a selected registrant 
and as an unselected registrant.
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    To estimate the costs of the registration requirement, DHS compared 
the current costs associated with the H-1B petition process to the 
anticipated costs imposed by the additional registration requirement. 
DHS compared costs specifically for selected and unselected petitioners 
because the impact of the registration requirement to each population 
is not the same. Current costs to selected petitioners are the sum of 
filing fees associated with each H-1B cap-subject petition and the 
opportunity cost of time to complete all associated forms. Current 
costs to unselected petitioners are only the opportunity cost of time 
to complete forms and cost to

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mail the petition since USCIS returns the H-1B cap-subject petition and 
filing fees to unselected petitioners.
    Under this final rule, when registration is required, the 
opportunity cost of time associated with registration will be a cost to 
all petitioners (selected and unselected), but those whose 
registrations are not selected will be relieved from the opportunity 
cost associated with completing and mailing the entire H-1B cap-subject 
petitions. Therefore, DHS estimates the costs of this rule to selected 
petitioners for completing an H-1B cap-subject petition as the sum of 
new registration costs and current costs. DHS estimates that the costs 
of this final rule to unselected petitioners, when registration is 
required, will only result from the estimated opportunity costs 
associated with registration. Overall, when registration is required, 
unselected petitioners will experience a cost savings relative to the 
current H-1B cap-subject petitioning process; DHS estimates these cost 
savings by subtracting new registration costs from current costs of 
preparing an H-1B cap-subject petition. These estimated quantitative 
cost savings will be a benefit that will accrue to only those with 
registrations that were not selected.
    Currently, the aggregate cost for all selected petitioners to 
complete entire H-1B cap-subject petitions is estimated to be between 
$132.9 million and $165.5 million, depending on who petitioners use to 
prepare a petition. These current costs to complete and file an H-1B 
cap-subject petition are based on a 5-year petition volume average and 
may differ across sets of fiscal years. Current costs are not changing 
for selected petitioners as a result of this final rule. Rather, the 
registration requirement under this final rule, except when suspended, 
would add a new opportunity cost of time to selected petitioners who 
will continue to face current H-1B cap-subject petition costs. DHS 
estimates the added opportunity cost of time to selected petitioners to 
comply with the registration requirement in this final rule would range 
from $6.2 million to $10.3 million, again depending on who petitioners 
use to submit a registration and prepare a petition. Therefore, under 
this final rule, and when required to register, DHS estimates the 
adjusted aggregate total cost for all selected petitioners to complete 
their entire H-1B cap-subject petitions will be between $134.7 million 
and $171.4 million. Since these petitioners already file Form I-129, 
only the registration costs of $6.2 million to $10.3 million are 
considered new costs.
    When registration is required under this final rule, unselected 
petitioners will experience an overall cost savings, despite new 
opportunity costs of time associated with the registration requirement. 
Currently for unselected petitioners, the total cost associated with 
the H-1B process is $53.5 million to $85.6 million, depending on who 
petitioners use to prepare the petition. The difference between total 
current costs for selected and unselected petitioners in an annual 
filing period consists of fees returned to unselected petitioners. DHS 
estimates the total costs to unselected petitioners for registration, 
when required, will range from $6.2 million to $10.1 million. DHS 
estimates a cost savings will occur because unselected petitioners will 
avoid having to file an entire H-1B cap-subject petition and only have 
to submit a registration, unless the registration requirement is 
suspended. Therefore, the difference between total current costs and 
total new costs for all unselected petitioners when registration is 
required will represent a cost savings ranging from $47.3 million to 
$75.5 million, again depending on who petitioners use to submit the 
registration.
    The government will also benefit from the registration requirement 
and process by no longer having to receive, handle, and return large 
numbers of petitions that are currently rejected because of excess 
demand (unselected petitions), except in those instances when the 
registration requirement is suspended. These activities will save DHS 
an estimated $1.6 million annually when registration is required. USCIS 
will, however, have to expend a total of about $1.5 million in the 
initial development of the registration website. This cost to the 
government is considered a one-time cost. DHS recognizes that there 
could be some additional unforeseen development and maintenance costs 
or costs from refining the registration system in the future. However, 
DHS cannot predict what these costs would be at this time and so was 
not able to estimate these costs. Currently there are no additional 
costs for annual maintenance of the servers because the registration 
system will be run on existing servers. Since these costs are already 
incurred regardless of this rulemaking, DHS did not add any estimated 
costs for server maintenance.
    Assuming that there is no expansion in the number of registrations, 
the net quantitative impact of this registration requirement is an 
aggregate cost savings to petitioners and to government ranging from 
$43.4 million to $62.7 million annually. Using lower bound figures, the 
net quantitative impact of this registration requirement is cost 
savings of $434.2 million over ten years. Discounted over ten years, 
these cost savings would be $381.2 million based on a discount rate of 
3 percent and $325.7 million based on a discount rate of 7 percent. 
Using upper bound figures, the net quantitative impact of this 
registration requirement is cost savings of $626.8 million over ten 
years. Discounted over ten years, these cost savings will be $550.5 
million based on a discount rate of 3 percent and $470.6 million based 
on a discount rate of 7 percent.
    DHS notes that these overall cost savings result only in years when 
registration is required and the demand for registrations and the 
subsequently filed petitions exceeds the number of available visas 
needed to meet the regular cap and the advanced degree exemption. For 
years where DHS has demand that is less than the number of available 
visas, this registration requirement would result in increased costs. 
For this final rule to result in net quantitative cost savings, at 
least 110,182 petitions (registrations and subsequently filed petitions 
under the final rule, unless the registration requirement is suspended) 
will need to be received by USCIS based on lower bound cost estimates. 
For upper bound cost estimates, USCIS will need to receive at least 
111,137 registrations and subsequently filed petitions for this rule to 
result in net quantitative cost savings.
    The change to the petition selection process under this final rule 
could result in greater numbers of highly educated workers with degrees 
from U.S. institutions of higher education entering the U.S. workforce 
under the H-1B program. USCIS estimates that the change will result in 
an increase in the number of H-1B beneficiaries with a master's degree 
or higher from a U.S. institution of higher education selected by 16 
percent (or 5,340 workers each year). If there is an increase in the 
number of H-1B beneficiaries with a master's degree or higher from a 
U.S. institution of higher education, wage transfers may occur. These 
transfers would be borne by companies whose petitions, filed for 
beneficiaries who are not eligible for the advanced degree exemption 
(e.g. holders of bachelors degrees and holders of advanced degrees from 
foreign institutions of higher education), might have been selected and 
ultimately approved but for the reversal of the selection order.

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    This final rule will also allow for the H-1B cap and advanced 
degree exemption selections to take place in the event that the 
registration system is inoperable for any reason and needs to be 
suspended. If temporary suspension of the registration system is 
necessary, then the costs and benefits described in this analysis 
resulting from registration for the petitioners and government will not 
apply during any period of temporary suspension. However, the reverse 
selection order will still take place and is anticipated to yield a 
higher proportion of H-1B beneficiaries with a master's degree or 
higher from a U.S. institution of higher education being selected.

E. Effective Date

    This final rule will be effective on April 1, 2019, 60 days from 
the date of publication in the Federal Register.

F. Implementation

    The changes in this final rule will apply to all Form I-129 H-1B 
cap-petitions, including those for the advanced degree exemption, filed 
on or after the effective date of the final rule. The treatment of Form 
I-129 H-1B cap-petitions filed prior to the effective date of this 
final rule will be based on the regulatory requirements in place at the 
time the petition is properly filed. DHS has determined that this 
manner of implementation best balances operational considerations with 
fairness to the public.
    USCIS will be suspending the registration requirement until it can 
complete all requisite user testing of the new H-1B registration system 
and otherwise ensures the system and process are fully operable, and 
addresses concerns raised by commenters in response to the proposed 
rule. DHS will publish a notice in the Federal Register to announce the 
initial implementation of the registration process in advance of the H-
1B cap season in which the registration process will be first 
implemented. USCIS will also engage in stakeholder outreach and provide 
training to the regulated public on the registration system in advance 
of its implementation. Consistent with this final rule, USCIS will 
formally announce the temporary suspension of the registration 
requirement for FY 2020 on the USCIS website following the effective 
date of the final rule.

II. Background

A. The H-1B Visa Program and Numerical Cap and Exemptions

    The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire 
foreign workers to perform services in a specialty occupation, services 
related to a Department of Defense (DOD) cooperative research and 
development project or coproduction project, or services of 
distinguished merit and ability in the field of fashion modeling. See 
INA 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b); Public Law 101-
649, section 222(a)(2), 104 Stat. 4978 (Nov. 29, 1990); 8 CFR 214.2(h). 
A specialty occupation is defined as an occupation that requires (1) 
theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized 
knowledge and (2) the attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree in 
the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum qualification 
for entry into the occupation in the United States. See INA 214(i)(l), 
8 U.S.C. 1184(i)(l).
    Congress has established limits on the number of workers who may be 
granted initial H-1B nonimmigrant visas or status each fiscal year 
(commonly known as the ``cap''). See INA section

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214(g), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g). The total number of workers who may be 
granted initial H-1B nonimmigrant status during any fiscal year 
currently may not exceed 65,000. See INA section 214(g), 8 U.S.C. 
1184(g). Certain petitions are exempt from the 65,000 numerical 
limitation. See INA section 214(g)(5) and (7), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(5) and 
(7). The annual exemption from the 65,000 cap for H-1B workers for 
those who have earned a qualifying U.S. master's or higher degree may 
not exceed 20,000 workers.\3\ See INA section 214(g)(5)(C), 8 U.S.C. 
1184(g)(5)(C).
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    \3\ The total number of workers who may be issued an initial H-
1B visa or provided initial H-1B status in a given year is limited 
to 85,000 (up to 65,000 under the regular cap plus the 20,000 
advanced degree exemption). However, there are various other 
exemptions that expand this total. Other exemptions from the 
numerical allocations include those under INA 214(g)(5)(A) and (B), 
as well as an exemption, with certain exceptions, for those 
previously counted under the numerical allocations but who are 
applying for time remaining on their 6-year period of authorized 
admission.
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B. Current Selection Process

    Under the current H-1B cap filing and selection process, USCIS 
monitors the number of H-1B petitions it receives at each service 
center in order to manage the H-1B allocations. Petitioners may file H-
1B petitions as early as six months ahead of the actual date of need 
(commonly referred to as the employment start date). See 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(9)(i)(B). Because of this, USCIS routinely receives hundreds 
of thousands of H-1B petitions in early April each year (for visas 
allocated for the following fiscal year) and this period is informally 
recognized as an H-1B ``cap season.'' Currently, USCIS monitors the 
number of H-1B cap-subject petitions received and notifies the public 
of the date that USCIS received a sufficient number of petitions needed 
to reach the numerical limit (the ``final receipt date''). See 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(8)(ii)(B). USCIS then may randomly select from the cap-subject 
petitions received on the final receipt date the projected number of 
petitions needed to reach the limit.
    If USCIS receives sufficient H-1B petitions to reach the projected 
number of petitions to meet both the regular cap and the advanced 
degree exemption for the upcoming fiscal year within the first five 
business days, USCIS first randomly selects H-1B petitions subject to 
the advanced degree exemption. Id. Once the random selection process 
for the advanced degree exemption is complete, USCIS then conducts the 
random selection process for the regular cap, which includes the 
remaining unselected petitions filed for, but not selected in, the 
advanced degree exemption. Once the random selection process for the 
regular cap is complete, USCIS rejects all remaining H-1B cap-subject 
petitions not selected during one of the random selections. See 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(8)(ii)(D).

C. Final Rule

    Following careful consideration of public comments received, DHS 
has made a few modifications to the regulatory text proposed in the 
NPRM (as described above in Section I.C.). The rationale for the 
proposed rule and the reasoning provided in the background section of 
that rule remain valid with respect to these regulatory amendments. 
Section III of this final rule includes a detailed summary and analysis 
of public comments that are pertinent to the proposed rule and DHS's 
role in administering the Registration Requirement for Petitioners 
Seeking To File H-1B Petitions on Behalf of Cap-Subject Aliens. A brief 
summary of comments deemed by DHS to be out of scope or unrelated to 
this rulemaking, making a detailed substantive response unnecessary, is 
provided in Section III.J. Comments may be reviewed at the Federal 
Docket Management System (FDMS) at http://www.regulations.gov, docket 
number USCIS-2008-0014.

III. Public Comments on the Proposed Rule

A. Summary of Public Comments

    In response to the proposed rule, DHS received 817 comments during 
the 30-day public comment period. Of these, 11 comments were duplicate 
submissions and approximately 321 were letters submitted through mass 
mailing campaigns. DHS considered all of these comment submissions. 
Commenters consisted of individuals (including U.S. workers), law 
firms, labor organizations, professional organizations, advocacy 
groups, nonprofit organizations, and representatives from State and 
local governments. Some commenters expressed support for the rule and/
or offered suggestions for improvement. Of the commenters opposing the 
rule, many commenters expressed opposition to a part of or all of the 
proposed rule. Some just expressed general opposition to the rule 
without suggestions for improvement. For many of the public comments, 
DHS could not ascertain whether the commenter supported or opposed the 
proposed rule. A number of comments received addressed subjects beyond 
those covered by the proposed rule, and were deemed out of scope.
    DHS has reviewed all of the public comments received in response to 
the proposed rule and is addressing relevant comments in this final 
rule.\4\ DHS's responses are grouped by subject area, with a focus on 
the most common issues and suggestions raised by commenters. DHS is not 
addressing comments seeking changes in U.S. laws, regulations, or 
agency policies that are out of scope and unrelated to the changes to 8 
CFR part 214 it proposed in the NPRM.
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    \4\ DHS published a proposed rule in 2011 which, similar to this 
rule, proposed to require employers seeking to file H-1B cap-subject 
petitions to first electronically register with USCIS during a 
designated registration period. Registration Requirement for 
Petitioners Seeking to File H-1B Petitions on Behalf of Aliens 
Subject to the Numerical Limitations 76 FR 11686 (Mar. 3, 
2011)(hereafter the ``2011 NPRM''). DHS sought and received public 
comments on the proposed rule in 2011. However, the 2011 NPRM has 
been withdrawn, and superseded by the December 3, 2018 NPRM, and 
comments to the 2011 NPRM will not be addressed here.
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B. Statutory and Legal Issues

    Comment: A few commenters stated that the proposed reversal of 
selection order was within USCIS's congressional authority under the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). For example, a company commented 
that reordering the lottery is within the reasonable discretion of the 
Department under the INA. The commenter argued that ambiguity and 
silence in the statute is properly read as Congressional delegation to 
DHS and USCIS to construct a reasonable H-1B allocation process.
    Response: DHS agrees with the commenter that the reversal of the 
selection order is permissible based on the general authority provided 
to DHS under sections 103(a), 214(a) and (c) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1103, 
1184(a) and (c), and section 112 of the HSA, 6 U.S.C. 112. As discussed 
in more detail in response to the next comment, DHS also agrees that 
the statute is not clear as to how the numerical allocations must be 
counted, and that reversal of the selection order is a reasonable 
interpretation of ambiguous statutory text.
    Comment: Many commenters, including companies, attorneys, 
professional associations, and trade associations, questioned whether 
USCIS has the statutory authority to reverse the selection order. Some 
commenters stated changes to the cap and selection order can only be 
made through Congress. A form letter campaign and other commenters 
argued that existing law clearly indicates individuals with a U.S. 
master's degree or higher are not

[[Page 895]]

subject to the H-1B cap until after 20,000 exempted visas are issued. 
Many commenters referenced the statutory language in 8 U.S.C. 
1184(g)(5) as the basis for their argument that USCIS may lack the 
statutory authority to conduct the general visa lottery for the 65,000 
H-1B visas prior to the lottery for the 20,000 U.S. master's degree 
petitions that are exempt from the general lottery. For example, an 
attorney argued that under 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(5), a U.S. master's degree 
holder cannot be considered under the regular cap of 65,000 visas until 
the master's allocation of 20,000 has first been extinguished. Another 
commenter argued that USCIS is misinterpreting its authority as granted 
by Congress. The commenter stated that Congress did not mandate an 
additional 20,000 visas be granted to beneficiaries with a U.S. 
advanced degree, but rather that up to 20,000 beneficiaries with a U.S. 
advanced degree would be considered cap-exempt annually. The commenter 
asserted that any effort to subject a beneficiary with a U.S. advanced 
degree to the annual regular H-1B cap before the advanced degree visas 
are allocated is beyond the authority Congress has granted USCIS. In 
addition, the commenter asserted that the proposed selection method 
also fails to account for variations in filing levels. Specifically, in 
years when insufficient filings are made to exhaust the advanced degree 
exemption allocation, the selection process described could allocate 
cap visas to advanced degree applicants who would otherwise be 
considered cap-exempt, thus leaving cap-exemptions available and unused 
for beneficiaries with a U.S. advanced degree. The proposal also would 
potentially reserve remaining visas for beneficiaries with a U.S. 
advanced degree even if their employer filed the petition after an 
employer filing for a beneficiary who does not have a U.S. advanced 
degree, which the commenter asserted is also in violation of Congress' 
directive that visas be allocated to petitions in the order received. A 
trade association requested that USCIS provide a more robust legal 
explanation to justify how its proposed changes to the counting of 
visas is not only consistent with Congress' intentions, but also 
Congress' action in creating 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(5)(C).
    Response: DHS believes that changing the order in which 
registrations or petitions, as applicable, are selected will result in 
a selection process that is a reasonable interpretation of the statute 
and more consistent with the purpose of the advanced degree exemption.
    The statute is ambiguous as to the precise manner by which 
beneficiaries with a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution 
of higher education must be counted toward the numerical allocations. 
The statute states that the 65,000 numerical limitation does not apply 
until 20,000 qualifying beneficiaries are exempted, but is otherwise 
silent as to whether they must be exempted prior to, concurrently with, 
or subsequent to the 65,000 numerical limitation being counted and/or 
reached, or some combination thereof. This ambiguity was recognized by 
DHS when it initially determined how the exemption should be 
administered.\5\ According to INA sec. 214(g)(5)(C), 8 U.S.C. 
1184(g)(5)(C), ``The numerical limitations contained in paragraph 
(1)(A) shall not apply to any nonimmigrant alien issued a visa or 
otherwise provided status under section 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of this 
title who . . . has earned a master's or higher degree from a United 
States institution of higher education (as defined in section 1001(a) 
of Title 20) until the number of aliens who are exempted from such 
numerical limitation during such year exceeds 20,000.'' The numerical 
limitation of paragraph (1)(A) provides the total number of aliens who 
may be issued an H-1B visa or otherwise provided H-1B status. The 
numerical limitation, once it has been reached, means that no 
additional aliens, beyond the 65,000 limit, may be issued an initial H-
1B visa or otherwise provided H-1B status unless they are exempt from 
the numerical limitation. A limited basis for exemption from the 
numerical limitation, for petitioners who are otherwise subject to the 
cap, is provided in INA sec. 214(g)(5)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(5)(C), for 
beneficiaries who have earned a master's or higher degree from a U.S. 
institution of higher education, until the number of such aliens 
exempted exceeds 20,000. This final rule, therefore, implements a 
process for counting petitions towards the numerical allocations in a 
manner that reasonably interprets the statute. DHS believes this 
approach is most consistent with the overall statutory framework as it 
counts all petitions filed by cap-subject petitioners until the 
numerical limitation is reached, and once that numerical limitation is 
reached, and otherwise precludes additional petitions, allows for an 
additional 20,000 petitions consistent with INA sec. 214(g)(5)(C), 8 
U.S.C. 1184(g)(5)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See 70 FR 23,775 (2005)(``Congress did not specify any 
procedures for implementation or dictate the manner in which USCIS 
should allocate H-1B numbers made available pursuant to the new 
exemption.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DHS also disagrees with the assertion that the selection order as 
proposed in the NPRM and as set forth in this final rule fails to 
account for variations in filing levels. DHS notes that the H-1B 
numerical limitation has been met before the end of the applicable 
fiscal year in each year since 1997.\6\ USCIS has also received a 
sufficient number of petitions to reach the numerically limited 
exemption under INA sec. 214(g)(5)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(5)(C) in each 
year from FY 2008 through FY 2019. While DHS recognizes that it is 
theoretically possible that a high rate of selection of submissions 
eligible for the advance degree exemption under the H-1B regular cap 
could result in an insufficient number of remaining submissions to meet 
the projected number needed to reach the advance degree exemption at 
the end of the annual initial registration period, the result is that 
USCIS would continue to allow for submissions through the end of the 
applicable fiscal year or until such time as USCIS has received enough 
registrations or petitions, as applicable, to meet the projected number 
need to reach the numerically limited cap exemption. DHS believes that 
historical filing rates indicate that such an occurrence (i.e. failing 
to receive enough registrations or petitions to meet the advanced 
degree exemption) is unlikely to happen at the current numerical 
allocation amounts. Rather, historical filing rates indicate that USCIS 
will continue to receive an excess number of H-1B filings to meet the 
numerical allocations. Further, reversing the selection order, such 
that all submissions are counted toward the projected number needed to 
reach the numerical limitation first, and then counting the remaining 
submissions, if eligible, towards the numerically limited cap 
exemption, ensures that the chance for selection under the regular cap 
for beneficiaries with a master's or higher degree from a U.S. 
institution of higher education is not reduced by the order of 
selection, as discussed in section IV.A.4.b. of this rule. DHS believes 
that administering the numerically limited cap exemption in a way that 
does not reduce the odds of selection for beneficiaries with a U.S. 
advanced degree under the regular cap is most appropriate and maximizes 
the overall odds of selection for such beneficiaries under the 
numerical allocations. Doing so also outweighs the potential that H-1B 
demand might

[[Page 896]]

decrease so significantly from that experienced over the course of the 
last decade to a level where both numerical allocations are not met by 
the end of the applicable fiscal year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See Walker Macy v. USCIS, 243 F.Supp.3d 1156, 1163 (D. Or. 
2017).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DHS also disagrees that the statute requires that initial H-1B 
visas be allocated to petitions in the order received. The statute 
states that aliens subject to the H-1B cap shall be issued visas or 
otherwise provided status in the order in which petitions are filed. 
This statutory provision, and more specifically the term ``filed'' as 
used in INA 214(g)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(3), is ambiguous.\7\ Further, a 
literal application of this statutory language would lead to an absurd 
result. The Department of State (``DOS'') does not issue H-1B visas, 
and USCIS does not otherwise provide H-1B status, based on the order in 
which petitions are filed. Such a literal application would necessarily 
mean that processing delays pertaining to a petition earlier in the 
petition filing order would preclude issuance of a visa or provision of 
status to all other H-1B petitions later in the petition filing order. 
The longstanding approach to implementing the numerical limitation has 
been to project the number of petitions needed to reach the numerical 
limitation. Under this final rule, USCIS will continue to count 
submissions towards the projected number needed to generate a 
sufficient number of petition approvals to reach the numerical 
limitation but without exceeding the numerical limitation. DHS is not 
changing the approach to administering the numerical allocations as it 
relates to the use of projections. As such, under this final rule, 
unless the requirement is suspended, petitioners will be required to 
register and USCIS will select a sufficient number of registrations 
projected as needed to reach the numerical allocations. Only those 
petitioners with selected registrations will be eligible to file. Once 
filed, petitions will generally be processed in the order in which they 
are filed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See Walker Macy v. USCIS, 243 F.Supp.3d 1156, 1163 (D. Or. 
2017).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comment: A commenter challenged the proposed changes in the cap 
allocation selection order as contrary to the Congressional intent for 
the H-1B visa classification. The commenter, relying on general 
legislative history for the H-1B program, noted that Congress did not 
intend that H-1B visas be given on a ``preferential basis to the most 
skilled and highest-paid petition beneficiaries,'' and that ``Congress 
has never limited use of H-1B visas to the best and brightest.'' The 
commenter indicated that DHS should ignore E.O. 13788 to the ``extent 
it mandates preference for the `best and the brightest' among H-1B 
applicants'' and said that the ``President lacks the authority, through 
his executive agencies, to implement a change in law that is contrary 
to legislative intent.''
    Response: DHS disagrees with the commenter's views that 
Congressional intent and legislative history preclude the changes DHS 
is making to the cap allocation selection order. While DHS agrees that 
Congress has not limited the H-1B classification to the ``best and 
brightest'' foreign nationals, nothing in the statute or legislative 
history precludes DHS from administering the cap allocation in a way 
that increases the odds of selection for beneficiaries with a master's 
or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education. As 
discussed elsewhere in this final rule, DHS is reversing the cap 
selection order to prioritize beneficiaries with a master's or higher 
degree from a U.S. institution of higher education in accordance with 
congressional intent, as the numerically limited exemption from the cap 
for these beneficiaries was created by Congress and appears in the INA. 
The reversal of the selection order is permissible based on the general 
authority provided to DHS under sections 103(a), 214(a) and (c) of the 
INA, 8 U.S.C. 1103, 1184(a) and (c), and section 112 of the HSA, 6 
U.S.C. 112. DHS believes that reversing the cap selection order is 
consistent with E.O. 13788, which instructs DHS to ``suggest reforms to 
help ensure that H-1B visas are awarded to the most-skilled or highest-
paid petition beneficiaries.'' The reversal of the selection order will 
likely have the effect of increasing the total percentage of master's 
degree holders in the H-1B population. In the aggregate, master's 
degree holders will tend to be more skilled and earn higher wages. 
Contrary to the commenter's assertion, this final rule does not limit 
eligibility for the H-1B classification to the ``best and the 
brightest.''
    Comment: Some commenters said the proposed selection method would 
violate the requirement in 8 U.S.C. 1184(g) to process H-1B petitions 
in the order they are received. A professional association commented 
that when describing its authority for the proposed rule USCIS had 
failed to reference 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(3), which states that cap-subject 
H-1B nonimmigrants ``shall be issued visas (or otherwise provided 
nonimmigrant status) in the order in which petitions are filed . . . '' 
The commenter concluded that the proposed H-1B registration system, 
which would mandate selection of ``registrations'' over ``petitions,'' 
is arguably unlawful. An individual commenter argued the use of a 
lottery selection process violates the Immigration and Nationality Act 
(INA) at 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(3), which states that aliens who are subject 
to the numerical limitations shall be issued visas ``in the order in 
which petitions are filed.'' Moreover, the commenter stated that the 
numerical limit refers to the number of visas and status, not the 
number of petitions. An individual commenter similarly stated that the 
proposed system would violate this provision because employers would 
not be able file a petition unless they have registered and been 
selected through the registration process. A law institute commented 
that the use of the new selection process in years when there is no 
lottery appears to be in excess of DHS' authority and that DHS should 
either provide a sufficient legal justification for changing how visas 
are counted in years where there is no lottery or not use this process 
in such years.
    Response: DHS disagrees with the commenter's assertions. The use of 
a random selection process has been found to not violate INA 214(g)(3), 
8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(3). See Walker Macy v. USCIS, 243 F.Supp.3d 1156, 1163 
(D. Or. 2017). Further, DHS believes that a similar approach to 
selection of registrations, whereby USCIS will randomly select 
registrations submitted electronically over a designated period of time 
to ensure the fair and orderly administration of the numerical 
allocations, is defensible under the general authority provided to DHS 
in INA 214(a), 8 U.S.C. 1184(a).
    DHS also disagrees with the commenter's assertion that use of the 
new selection process in years of low demand is in excess of DHS' 
authority. As stated, DHS is relying on its general authority to 
implement the registration process as an antecedent procedural 
requirement that must be met before a petition is deemed to be properly 
filed. See INA 103(a), 214(a) and (c)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1103(a), 1184(a) and 
(c)(1). In years where demand is low, and an insufficient number of 
registrations have been received during the annual initial registration 
period to meet the number projected as needed to reach the regular H-1B 
cap, USCIS would select all of the registrations properly submitted 
during the initial registration period and notify all of the 
registrants that they may proceed with the filing of the H-1B cap 
petition. Once H-1B petitions have been properly filed, USCIS would 
generally process the petitions in the order that they have been filed. 
Registrations submitted after the initial registration

[[Page 897]]

period would continue to be selected on a rolling basis until such time 
as a sufficient number of registrations have been received. To ensure 
fairness, USCIS may randomly select from among the registrations 
received on the final registration date a sufficient number to reach 
the projected number. Contrary to the commenter's assertion, DHS is not 
changing the way visas are counted, but is merely using its general 
authority to create a more efficient process for administering the H-1B 
numerical allocations but otherwise continuing the historical use of 
projections to estimate the number of petition approvals that will 
likely be needed to reach, but not exceed, the H-1B numerical 
limitations. As stated in response to similar comments, a literal 
application of the statutory language in INA 214(g)(3), 8 U.S.C. 
1184(g)(3), as the commenter suggests, would lead to an absurd result. 
DOS does not issue H-1B visas, and USCIS does not otherwise provide H-
1B status, based on the order in which petitions are filed. Such a 
literal application would necessarily mean that processing delays 
pertaining to a petition earlier in the petition filing order would 
preclude issuance of a visa or provision of status to all other H-1B 
petitions later in the petition filing order.
    Comment: An individual commenter argued that the use of a lottery 
selection process is not inconsistent with 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(5), and 
that arguments to the contrary are incorrect.
    Response: DHS agrees with the commenter's assertions that the use 
of a random selection process is not inconsistent with the existing 
statute and is a reasonable manner in which to administer the numerical 
limitations as it ensures that the allocations can be administered in a 
fair and efficient manner given the excess demand experienced each year 
for H-1B visas.

C. General Support for the NPRM

    Comment: Some commenters expressed general support for the 
regulation. A few of these commenters stated that the rule should be 
implemented in time for the upcoming H-1B cap filing season. Other 
commenters offered additional non-substantive rationale for their 
support of the rule including: It would help track visas and prevent 
overstay issues; it would eliminate fraudulent H-1B filings and allow 
for the best candidates to obtain visas; it would cause an increase in 
U.S. wages; it would stop visa abuse and flooding of applications by 
certain companies; it would prioritize students studying in the United 
States and increase their chances to stay and work in the U.S.; and it 
would streamline the H-1B cap-petition process.
    Response: DHS agrees with the commenters that this rule will 
streamline the H-1B cap selection process and will increase the 
likelihood of retaining beneficiaries in the United States who have 
earned a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher 
education. An increase in the overall percentage of H-1B aliens with a 
master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education 
could increase wages assuming that beneficiaries with bachelor's 
degrees, advanced degrees from U.S. for-profit universities or foreign 
advanced degrees are paid less than and replaced by beneficiaries with 
master's or higher degrees from U.S. institutions of higher education. 
DHS, however, will be suspending the registration requirement for the 
FY 2020 H-1B cap in order to further test the system. As such, the 
efficiency gains DHS anticipates will result from the streamlined cap 
selection process will not be realized until the registration 
requirement applies and registration prior to the filing of an H-1B 
cap-petition is required. DHS anticipates that this will occur starting 
with the FY 2021 H-1B cap.
    DHS disagrees with the commenters' assertions that this rule will 
help to track visas, prevent H-1B nonimmigrants from staying beyond 
their authorized period of stay, or eliminate fraudulent H-1B 
petitions. This final rule simply provides for a registration 
requirement for H-1B cap-petitioners and reverses the order in which 
USCIS counts submissions toward the annual H-1B numerical allocations. 
Additional changes to strengthen the H-1B program and prevent fraud and 
abuse are outside the scope of this final rule.

D. General Opposition to the NPRM

    Comment: A few commenters expressed general opposition to the 
regulation and criticized the H-1B program, arguing it prioritizes low-
cost foreign workers over American workers. Some commenters suggested 
suspending the H-1B program, and a few commenters stated the rule is 
not merit-based. Some commenters also argued the rule does not do 
enough to prevent outsourcing, and fraud issues. Another commenter 
remarked that the rule needed input from lawyers and affected U.S. 
employers before implementation.
    Response: DHS believes that this final rule is merit-based in that 
it will likely increase the number of beneficiaries with a master's or 
higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education to be 
selected for further processing under the H-1B allocations. DHS 
disagrees that this rule prioritizes foreign workers. Rather, this 
final rule simply creates a registration process to streamline the 
existing H-1B cap selection process, and reverses the order in which 
submissions are counted toward the H-1B numerical allocations, but does 
not change the overall number of foreign workers that may be hired 
under existing statutory authority. Moreover, DHS does not have the 
statutory authority to suspend the H-1B program. Additional changes to 
strengthen the H-1B program and prevent fraud and abuse are outside the 
scope of this final rule but will indeed be pursued in a separate 
notice of proposed rulemaking. DHS disagrees with the commenter's 
assertion that implementation should not occur until input has been 
received from lawyers and affected U.S. employers. Among the 
commenters, DHS was able to identify numerous lawyers and affected U.S. 
companies, as well as trade associations, who submitted comments on the 
proposed rule and DHS has carefully considered their input in this 
rulemaking. DHS, however, will issue a notice in the Federal Register 
prior to implementation of the registration requirement to provide 
advance notice to affected stakeholders of the implementation of the 
registration requirement. This notice, however, would just pertain to 
the initial implementation of the registration requirement. Once 
implemented, further details will be provided on the USCIS website 
consistent with this final rule.

E. H-1B Registration Requirement

1. Support for Registration Program
    Comment: Several commenters expressed support for the registration 
requirement. A few commenters stated the electronic registration 
process will be easier and more cost-effective. An attorney stated that 
the proposed system was an improvement as it would reduce waste and 
increase efficiency. Another commenter asserted that the registration 
process would relieve uncertainty for employers and employees, and 
mitigate burdens on USCIS.
    Response: DHS agrees with the commenters. The registration process, 
once implemented, will provide petitioners and USCIS with a more 
efficient and cost-effective way to administer the H-1B cap selection 
process, and should reduce some of the uncertainty in the petitioning 
process.

[[Page 898]]

2. Opposition to Registration Program
    Comment: An individual commenter stated that the proposed rule 
would make it easier for employers to file H-1B petitions and hire 
foreign workers, which is not in line with the Administration's ``Hire 
American, Buy American[sic]'' agenda.
    Response: This rule is consistent with the goals of Executive Order 
13788, Buy American and Hire American, and therefore DHS disagrees with 
the commenter. This final rule does not alter the substantive 
requirements for the H-1B nonimmigrant classification, and thus does 
not make it ``easier'' to hire foreign workers. The registration 
process, once implemented, will be a more efficient process for 
administering the H-1B numerical allocations than the system that is 
currently in place. Increased governmental efficiency does not conflict 
with the Buy American and Hire American Executive Order. Further, the 
reversal of the cap selection order is expected to result in a greater 
number of beneficiaries with a master's or higher degree from a U.S. 
institution of higher education being selected and is therefore in line 
with the executive order's directive to ``help ensure that H-1B visas 
are awarded to the most-skilled or highest-paid petition 
beneficiaries.''
3. Announcement and Length of Registration Periods
    Comment: An individual commenter who supported the rule said it is 
unclear whether the cut-off time for registration will be announced up-
front (e.g., few days earlier). A company stated that the proposed rule 
introduced uncertainties that must be clarified with specificity, and 
submitted a list of procedural uncertainties about the proposed 
registration system. An advocacy group stated that aspects of the new 
registration system would create timing issues, for which it requested 
that USCIS issue clarifications. The group asked for clarification 
regarding:
    <bullet> The registration count and whether it would always be 
completed by the end of March and when notification to selected 
registrants would be provided.
    <bullet> How frequently the agency will check registration numbers 
and petition filing numbers and on what dates each year.
    <bullet> Whether the agency will notify the public as to the number 
of registrations and associated petitions that have been filed.
    <bullet> How much advance notice will be provided concerning any 
reopening of registration.
    <bullet> How much advance notice will be given concerning the 
availability of H-1B numbers allowing further selected registrants 
during a fiscal year, beyond the initial selection of registrations.
    Response: USCIS will announce the start date of the initial 
registration period on the USCIS website for each fiscal year at least 
30 days in advance of the opening of the registration period. In each 
fiscal year, the registration period will begin at least 14 calendar 
days before the first day of petition filing and will last at least 14 
calendar days. USCIS will also separately announce the final 
registration date in any fiscal year on the USCIS website. If USCIS 
determines that it is necessary to keep the registration period open at 
the end of the initial registration period, the final registration date 
will be determined once USCIS has received the number of registrations 
projected as needed. USCIS, however, will not be able to identify the 
final registration date in advance as the date would be contingent on 
the number of registrations received. Similarly, if USCIS determines 
that it is necessary to re-open the registration period, it will 
announce the start of the re-opened registration period on its website 
before the start of the re-opened registration period. See 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(7). USCIS, however, will not be able to identify 
the final registration date for the re-opened registration period as 
that date would also be contingent on the number of registrations 
received.
    Comment: Several commenters, including a form letter campaign, 
stated that USCIS should not be able to announce changes to the program 
on its website. The commenters asserted this could disrupt the H-1B 
planning process for businesses, notably smaller companies who do not 
have the resources to make such changes quickly. Similarly, an attorney 
stated that the applicable statute and law do not permit USCIS to make 
announcements on its website substantially changing the way the lottery 
is run each year so that ``applications would need to be filed again''.
    Response: DHS disagrees that making announcements consistent with 
established regulatory procedure that is being codified through notice 
and comment rulemaking constitutes making changes (substantive or 
procedural) to the program. In this rule DHS is codifying the procedure 
it will use to announce pertinent information regarding the H-1B cap 
process in the Code of Federal Regulations, and is simultaneously 
announcing and explaining these procedures in the Federal Register 
publication of this final rule. The regulations codified therein 
explicitly identify the USCIS website as the source of this type of 
information in the future. DHS believes that authorizing USCIS to post 
H-1B cap related announcements on the USCIS website is consistent with 
the way in which USCIS has historically communicated with the regulated 
public about the H-1B cap allocations and provides a timely and 
efficient method of communication of program-related information to the 
public as well as transparency. The public frequently turns to the 
USCIS website for information and routinely uses the USCIS website for 
general information on immigration benefits, rules, and processes; 
applicable statutes and regulations; downloadable immigration forms; 
specific case status information; and processing times at the various 
Service Centers and district offices. USCIS currently notifies the 
public when it will begin accepting petitions subject to the cap for a 
given fiscal year and when numerical limits have been reached through 
its website. USCIS has historically and also would currently use its 
website to inform the public of potential re-opening of the cap filing 
period. Maintaining this practice therefore would be consistent with 
settled expectations and USCIS' existing legal authority. If USCIS does 
in the future determine that it is necessary to suspend the 
registration process, USCIS will make the announcement on its website 
as soon as practicable, and will take into consideration the 
possibility that the opening of the petition filing season may need to 
be temporarily delayed to allow sufficient time for the preparation and 
orderly filing of H-1B cap-subject petitions.
    Comment: A trade association noted that no advance notice 
requirement language is included in the proposed regulatory text. The 
commenter stated that the 30-day notice prior to the commencement of 
the initial registration period must be codified in the proposed 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(iii)(8)(A)(3), reasoning that without the inclusion of this 
language, USCIS could announce the initial registration on the day the 
agency would begin receiving registrations.
    Response: DHS thanks the commenter for noting the absence of the 
30-day minimum timeframe and has made edits in this final rule to the 
regulatory text as proposed to ensure that the regulated public is 
provided with at least 30 days advance notice of the first date of the 
initial registration period. DHS disagrees, however, that 30-days 
advance notice should be required prior to re-opening the registration 
period consistent with this final rule. DHS believes that 30-days 
advance notice

[[Page 899]]

prior to re-opening the registration period is unnecessary and could 
undermine USCIS's ability to select additional registrations and invite 
additional petitions in a timely manner, thereby frustrating the 
purpose of re-opening the registration period. Even though 30-days 
advance notice will not be provided when USCIS re-opens the 
registration period, USCIS will ensure that the announcement of the 
reopening of the registration period in any fiscal year is made as 
early as practicable to afford maximum advance notice to the regulated 
public.
    Comment: Many commenters, including trade associations, a 
university, a law firm, and individuals expressed concern that the 
proposed duration of the registration period would be too short. A law 
firm requested that the registration period be open for at least 30 
days, arguing that the proposed 14-day initial registration period is 
insufficient time for law firms to review a potentially large volume of 
cases. A form letter campaign suggested 60-day advance notice and a 30-
day registration period. An individual commenter recommended a 45-day 
advance notice and a 30-day registration period. A trade association 
recommended a 30-day registration period beginning on a scheduled start 
date announced no later than January 15 each year.
    Response: The annual initial registration period will last for a 
minimum period of 14 calendar days, but where practicable USCIS will 
provide more time. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(3). DHS believes that 
14 calendar days is a sufficient amount of time to complete the 
registration process. The registration does not require extensive 
information and will not take a lot of time for completion and 
submission. Additionally, USCIS will provide at least 30 days advance 
notice of the opening of the initial annual registration period for the 
upcoming fiscal year via the USCIS website (www.uscis.gov). USCIS will 
conduct stakeholder outreach prior to the initial implementation of the 
registration system to allow stakeholders the opportunity to 
familiarize themselves with the electronic registration process. DHS 
notes that the 30-day period of advance notice of the opening of the 
initial registration period is the minimum amount of time that USCIS 
must provide, but USCIS is not precluded from providing notice more 
than 30 days in advance if USCIS determines that additional notice is 
needed to adjust to circumstances at that time. DHS believes the 
minimum 30 days advance notice will give petitioners sufficient time to 
prepare registrations given that, once registration is required and 
implemented, there should be a settled expectation that registration 
will be required, unless suspended, and most employers or attorneys 
will have already begun to identify H-1B beneficiaries for the upcoming 
cap by the time that the announcement is made such that additional 
preparation to submit registrations should not be overly burdensome.
4. Required Registration Information
    Comment: A professional services company, multiple business 
associations, multiple law firms, and an individual commenter said it 
would be helpful to have a Petitioner account so that petitioners do 
not have to enter their corporate information for every single 
beneficiary. A business association said that petitioners should be 
allowed to submit all of its beneficiaries via a bulk submission 
process, and that DHS use audits to detect patterns of abuse. An 
individual commenter requested that USCIS provide a tool for 
beneficiaries to view their status.
    Response: As noted, USCIS will be suspending the registration 
requirement for the FY 2020 cap season (beginning April 1, 2019) to 
complete all requisite user testing of the new H-1B registration system 
and otherwise ensure the system and process are operable. As the 
testing continues, USCIS is exploring a number of options for efficient 
operation, use, and maintenance of the system. USCIS will not require 
petitioners to enter their corporate information for every beneficiary.
    Comment: A business association said that the required registration 
information specifically enumerated in the preamble is sufficient, and 
that the regulatory text should be revised to remove the `catch-all' 
line referring to `any additional basic information requested by the 
registration system' to promote certainty. A company also suggested 
that the reference to `any additional basic information' would cause 
uncertainty, and requested that USCIS provide 90 days' notice of 
updates to required information prior to the registration period. An 
advocacy group said that USCIS should not be able to change 
registration prerequisites, and that USCIS should publish the form that 
will be used and allow public comment on its contents.
    Response: As noted, USCIS will be suspending the registration 
requirement for the FY 2020 cap season (beginning April 1, 2019) to 
complete all requisite user testing of the new H-1B registration system 
and otherwise ensure the system and process are operable. As the 
testing continues, USCIS is exploring a number of options for efficient 
operation and maintenance of the system. As indicated in our responses 
to the comments pertaining to the Paperwork Reduction Act and the 
information collections impacted by this rule, while USCIS is seeking 
OMB approval of the new H-1B Registration Tool information collection 
as currently proposed, if USCIS determines that collecting additional 
information is necessary for the effective operation of the 
registration process, USCIS will comply with the PRA and request OMB 
approval of any material modifications to that information collection. 
The H-1B Registration Tool information collection instrument for which 
DHS is currently seeking OMB approval will be posted to www.reginfo.gov 
when the final rule publishes and be available for review by the 
public.
    Comment: A few commenters suggested that USCIS require the 
beneficiary's passport number or Social Security Number and check for 
duplicates to prevent multiple employers from registering to file an H-
1B cap-petition for the same beneficiary. Another individual commenter 
said there is not enough information required to submit a registration, 
which could cause the system to be flooded by frivolous registrations. 
A form letter campaign suggested that the registration should require 
at least the job title, work site address, and salary offered and 
employers must attest that the position as described has been offered 
to the beneficiary being registered. An individual commenter said 
registration should require at least the job title and SOC code from 
the LCA, employer address, work site address, LCA Wage Level, and 
whether the employer is H-1B dependent. Similarly, another commenter 
suggested that employers should be required to submit a basic 
application similar to the I-129 application form and certify under 
penalty of perjury that it has a bona fide job offer to the employee.
    A few unions stated that DHS should require employers to disclose 
any recent or ongoing labor violations or disputes, including EEOC 
complaints, wage or safety violations, unfair labor practices, or 
collective bargaining negotiations. A business association suggested 
that DHS require information related to country of residence and 
specific educational qualifications (e.g., bachelor's, Master's, Ph.D., 
date conferred, name and location of institution).

[[Page 900]]

    Response: DHS agrees that sufficient information should be required 
to enable USCIS to identify the beneficiary of the registration, check 
for duplicate registrations submitted by the same prospective 
petitioner, and to match selected registrations with subsequently filed 
H-1B petitions, without overly burdening the employer or collecting 
unnecessary information. This final rule requires that each 
registration include, in addition to other basic information, the 
beneficiary's full name, date of birth, country of birth, country of 
citizenship, gender, and passport number. USCIS intends to check the 
system for duplicate registrations during the registration phase 
similarly to how USCIS currently checks for duplicate H-1B petition 
filings. At this time DHS does not believe that requesting additional 
information about the beneficiary or the petitioner is necessary to 
effectively administer the registration system. Some of the additional 
information proposed by commenters is information that USCIS would 
require and review to determine eligibility in the adjudication of the 
H-1B petition. Establishing eligibility is not a requirement for 
submitting a registration. USCIS believes the current required 
information is sufficient to identify the registrant and limit 
potential fraud and abuse of the registration system. If USCIS 
determines that collecting additional information is necessary for the 
effective operation of the registration process, USCIS will comply with 
the PRA and request OMB approval of any material modifications to that 
information collection. DHS is not amending the regulations to prohibit 
multiple employers from filing an H-1B cap-petition for the same 
beneficiary. DHS regulations, however, already preclude the filing of 
multiple H-1B cap-subject petitions by related entities for the same 
beneficiary, unless the related petitioners can establish a legitimate 
business need for filing multiple cap-petitions for the same 
beneficiary, and that regulation remains unchanged by this final rule. 
This final rule authorizes USCIS to collect sufficient information for 
each registration to mitigate the risk that the registration system 
will be flooded with frivolous registrations. For example, each 
registration will require completion of an attestation, and individuals 
or entities who falsely attest to the bona fides of the registration 
and submitted frivolous registrations may be referred to appropriate 
federal law enforcement agencies for investigation and further action 
as appropriate.
    Comment: Some commenters provided input on addressing errors. A 
company, multiple business associations, and an advocacy group 
suggested that non-material errors might occur and should not affect a 
beneficiary's chances of being selected in the lottery, and that USCIS 
should allow petitioners to correct these errors for [registrations] 
that are selected when filing the H-1B petition. A law firm suggested 
that the only material errors that should result in the rejection of 
filing are errors in the employer's name and beneficiary's name. The 
commenter explained that information such as birth date could be 
accidently misfiled because of listing conventions in different 
countries and need not disqualify someone's ability to file. A 
professional services company said USCIS should make publicly available 
reasonable remedies to resolve errors made in good faith by petitioning 
employers.
    Similarly, some commenters provided input on editing registrations. 
A couple of companies said business needs might change, and that 
employers should be able to edit registrations for errors or changes in 
business needs prior to the close of the registration period. A law 
firm requested that USCIS issue clarifications on how to edit 
registrations, and suggested that withdrawing and re-submitting a 
registration should not be counted as multiple filings. The firm also 
suggested that USCIS establish a warning system for when multiple 
filings are mistakenly submitted, and that the system allow petitioners 
to identify cap-subject or master's-cap eligible petitions from the 
outset. However, another attorney questioned whether employers would be 
stuck with cap designations if such a feature is included, and 
cautioned that the registration process would force employers and H-1B 
candidates to make early decisions that may change later on.
    Response: USCIS is exploring a number of options for efficient 
operation, use, and maintenance of the system. USCIS is considering 
ways to allow petitioners to correct typographical errors, and may 
allow petitioners to contact USCIS where they believe such an error was 
made on a registration. USCIS will allow petitioners to edit a 
registration up until the petitioner submits the registration. A 
petitioner may delete a registration and resubmit it prior to the close 
of the registration period. USCIS will provide guidance on how to use 
the registration system and edit registrations prior to opening the 
registration system for the initial registration period.
    Comment: A professional association and a law firm said the 
registration process should include an eligibility assessment for 
positions and candidates, so that employers who are not well-versed in 
immigration and H-1B requirements do not take up H-1B cap space. 
Similarly, an individual commenter stated that the information captured 
in the current system would not be enough to reduce the burden on USCIS 
by rejecting non-meritorious petitions.
    Response: As noted elsewhere in this rule, submission of the 
registration is merely an antecedent procedural requirement to properly 
file the petition. It is not intended to replace the petition 
adjudication process or assess the eligibility of the beneficiary for 
the offered position. The purpose of the information provided at the 
time of registration is to allow USCIS to efficiently identify the 
prospective H-1B petitioner and the named beneficiary, eliminate 
duplicate registrations, to select sufficient registrations toward the 
H-1B cap and the advanced degree exemption, and to match selected 
registrations with subsequently filed H-1B petitions. As such, DHS is 
declining to adopt the suggestion of including an eligibility 
assessment as part of the registration process. DHS also declines to 
adopt the suggestions to collect additional information regarding the 
petitioner, beneficiary or proffered position that would go beyond 
these needs. The selection process is intended to impose little burden, 
as it is a random process that does not assess eligibility. DHS 
recognizes that submission of non-meritorious petitions, whether under 
the new registration process or under the current process, creates an 
additional administrative burden. This rule, however, is not designed 
to relieve the burden of adjudicating non-meritorious petitions. The 
registration process under this final rule is designed to relieve the 
burden of having to receive several hundred thousand H-1B cap petitions 
in order to administer the cap selection process.
    In addition, USCIS may reopen the registration process if necessary 
to ensure sufficient number of registrations are selected toward the 
number projected as needed to reach the numerical allocations (as may 
be the window for filing petitions). Thus, ``cap space'' will not go 
unutilized because of the submission of non-meritorious registrations 
or petitions.
    Comment: A law firm suggested that the regulation should be amended 
to allow lawyers to file registrations, as they are in the best 
position to advise

[[Page 901]]

employers about the qualifications for H-1B status. The commenter also 
suggested that USCIS should develop adequate protections to ensure that 
only authorized company representatives are able to file petitions, 
warning that without such protections, someone could use an employer's 
easily-discoverable employer identification number to file hundreds of 
inappropriate submissions or self-register for H-1B slots.
    Response: As discussed elsewhere in this preamble, the regulation 
will allow attorneys to submit registrations on behalf of petitioning 
clients, upon completion of a Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance 
as Attorney or Accredited Representative, for each petitioning client. 
USCIS is exploring a number of options for efficient operation, use, 
and maintenance of the system, as well as additional fraud and abuse 
prevention measures.
    Comment: A law firm requested that USCIS ask for beneficiaries' 
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) number during 
registration to ensure that information is updated in SEVIS if an 
individual is selected in the lottery.
    Response: The registration system is only a preliminary step 
towards filing of an H-1B cap petition. As noted previously in this 
preamble, USCIS is only collecting information that is necessary to 
identify the beneficiary and petitioner for the purpose of effectively 
conducting the cap allocation selection process and confirming that H-
1B cap-subject petitions are based on a selected registration when 
registration is required. Because a SEVIS number is not necessary for 
the cap selection process, USCIS declines to collect it at this time.
5. Timeline for the Implementation of the H-1B Registration Requirement
    Comment: A number of commenters requested that DHS delay the 
implementation of the registration process past the FY 2020 cap season, 
until FY 2021. Most noted that adjusting to a new system so close to 
the H-1B cap filing season would be difficult and noted the timeframes 
necessary to prepare petitions and the time, effort, and resources 
already spent in preparing for the FY 2020 cap season. One commenter 
also noted that cost-savings would not be achieved for the FY 2020 cap 
season since petitioners have already begun preparing H-1B cap 
petitions for the upcoming filing season. Commenters also requested 
that DHS announce as soon as possible whether it intends to implement 
or suspend the registration process for the FY 2020 cap season to 
remove uncertainty for the regulated public and give petitions an 
adequate opportunity to prepare H-1B petitions.
    Response: Based on comments received and ongoing review of the 
registration system, USCIS will be suspending the registration 
requirement until such time that the system has been fully tested and 
modified to address concerns raised by commenters. DHS will publish a 
notice in the Federal Register before the registration requirement is 
implemented. USCIS will also conduct outreach and training on the new 
registration system to the regulated public which will be offered in 
advance of the cap season during which the registration process will be 
implemented for the first time.
    Comment: A business association stated that there is inadequate 
time for USCIS to comply with the requirements of the Administrative 
Procedure Act and/or evaluate all comments received on the proposed 
rule in time to make changes that would take effect before the start of 
the 2020 H-1B cap season. Additionally, several commenters asserted 
that adopting a new registration process for FY 2020 cap-subject H-1B 
petitions would insert unnecessary uncertainty, as there simply is not 
enough time to finalize the registration requirement and system for the 
FY 2020 H-1B cap, and, if DHS wanted such a system implemented for the 
FY 2020 cap, it should have published the proposed rule much sooner 
than it did. A commenter also noted that there is insufficient time for 
USCIS to substitute a two-step registration system for the current one-
step procedure.
    Response: DHS is publishing this final rule having carefully 
considered public comments received during the comment period. As a 
result of considering concerns raised by commenters regarding the short 
timeframe for the implementation of the registration process in 
addition to other concerns regarding disruption to petitioners that 
could be caused by a late announcement of the requirement to register 
for an upcoming cap season, USCIS will be suspending the registration 
process until such time that the system has been fully tested to be 
reliably operable, and, as necessary, modified to address concerns 
raised by commenters. DHS will publish a notice in the Federal Register 
in advance of the first registration period to announce the 
implementation of the registration process. Once the registration 
process has been implemented, if USCIS determines that it needs to 
suspend the registration process in the future, USCIS will make an 
announcement of such suspension as soon as it becomes aware of 
circumstances necessitating such suspension, and will announce the 
first date on which petitions may be filed taking into consideration 
the amount of time needed to facilitate the orderly filing of H-1B cap-
subject petitions without prior registration. As indicated elsewhere in 
this final rule, DHS anticipates that USCIS will use this option rarely 
and reserve it for circumstances where the registration system is 
inoperable.
    Comment: A business association stated that there is inadequate 
time for a sufficient ``debugging'' effort that typically takes months 
or years. Some commenters urged for testing of the registration system 
prior to implementation or suggested that DHS should postpone 
implementation until system testing and stakeholder engagement has been 
conducted. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of 
Advocacy said USCIS should test the electronic registration system 
before implementation, to prevent errors and delays in this program. 
Another commenter said any proposed system should be tested and 
announced at least 6 to 12 months before implementation. Two business 
associations said USCIS would be better served to define, test, and 
implement the proposed registration system over the next 15 months to 
be operational in March of calendar year 2020. Other commenters, 
including an advocacy group, a professional association, and business 
commenters, expressed the following concerns when requesting additional 
testing of the system prior to implementation:
    <bullet> Testing is needed to ensure that the system is not flooded 
with registrations.
    <bullet> Past automation efforts at USCIS as part of its long-term 
Transformation Program over the course of the past 13 years have been 
riddled with glitches, processing inefficiencies, and poor stakeholder 
involvement, and such negative experiences should dictate to DHS that 
the proposed H-1B electronic registration process should be 
thoughtfully and thoroughly tested prior to implementation.
    <bullet> The agency's track record when it comes to rolling out 
technology has been disappointing, and USCIS electronic filing 
initiatives have failed to live up to their promise and were delivered 
with insufficient testing and feedback.
    <bullet> Employers and law firms should be active participants in 
the testing and vetting process, as they will be the front-end users of 
the system and are best positioned to identify issues that might not be 
clear on the back end.

[[Page 902]]

Furthermore, to ensure efficiency, employers and law firms should be 
given the opportunity to see the electronic form and registration 
portal, and familiarize themselves with them, well in advance of any 
registration period.
    <bullet> USCIS needs to give itself adequate time to test and 
troubleshoot this electronic registration system before it mandates its 
use and also needs to be transparent with the regulated community about 
the system and its test results.
    <bullet> The USCIS Ombudsman 2018 Annual Report warns against 
implementing untested, deadline-driven electronic programs.
    <bullet> There is insufficient time to test the online system--
based on final system requirements--before the FY20 registration 
process will begin.
    Response: The final rule includes the possibility that the 
registration requirement could be suspended if USCIS experienced 
technical challenges with the H-1B registration process and/or the new 
electronic system that would be used to submit H-1B registrations, or 
where the system otherwise is inoperable for any reason, including if 
it was not fully operational by April 1, 2019. Based on comments 
received and ongoing review of the registration system, USCIS will be 
suspending the registration requirement until such time that the system 
has been fully tested and modified to address concerns raised by 
commenters. DHS will publish a Federal Register Notice in advance of 
implementing the registration system to ensure the public has 
sufficient preparation time to become familiar with and utilize the 
electronic registration system. USCIS will also conduct outreach and 
training on the new registration system to the regulated public which 
will be offered in advance of the cap season during which the 
registration process will be implemented for the first time.
    Comment: A business association made the following recommendations 
relating to timeline for implementation of the registration system: (1) 
Prioritize the Electronic Immigration System (ELIS) and postpone 
consideration of a stand-alone, online lottery H-1B registration system 
until that system can be implemented in closer coordination with ELIS, 
and (2) allow for adequate time to fully vet, test, and troubleshoot 
the online registration system and delay finalization of the online 
registration proposal until the agency is confident that there will not 
be a need to revert to the current system. Similarly, a professional 
association urged USCIS to place this proposed rule on indefinite hold, 
at least until electronic filing is fully implemented and the 
administrative costs and burdens can be reassessed under the new 
system. A business association stated that USCIS should work with 
stakeholders to develop a workable electronic filing system, and then 
determine if an electronic registration is necessary. A professional 
association supported the goal of establishing an electronic filing 
system for the H-1B cap selection process, and urged that a 
registration portal and electronic filing process be developed in 
tandem.
    Response: USCIS has decided to suspend the registration requirement 
until such time that the registration system is fully tested to be 
reliably operable, and, as necessary, modified to address commenters 
concerns. DHS will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing 
the implementation of the registration process in advance of the first 
cap season during which the registration process will be implemented. 
However, submission of the registration, when registration is required, 
is merely an antecedent procedural requirement to properly file the 
petition. It is not intended to replace the adjudication process. USCIS 
is committed to fully transitioning to a digital environment for 
processing of immigration benefit requests. As such transition is made, 
USCIS expects further efficiencies to be realized in the adjudication 
process. However, because the registration process has distinct 
benefits for the regulated public as well as USCIS, and because it is 
on a different development timeline from USCIS efforts to transition 
filing of all immigration benefit requests to an electronic 
environment, USCIS plans to implement the registration process 
independently from electronic filing. As noted earlier in the 
discussion of public comments, USCIS will be delaying the 
implementation of the registration process until it is confident that 
the registration system is reliably operable and with sufficient 
advanced notice to the regulated public published in the Federal 
Register.
    Comment: An attorney stated that if USCIS decides to suspend the 
registration process in March, there is no feasible way companies and 
law firms can pull together a considerable amount of H-1B petitions for 
submission during the first five business days of April. While in 
general agreement with the rule, the commenter disagreed with the 
ability of USCIS to suspend the registration requirement. Multiple 
commenters, including companies, individuals, and a form letter 
campaign stated that allowing USCIS to suspend the registration process 
for a given fiscal year would create uncertainty every fiscal year 
since, from one year to the next, an employer and prospective H-1B 
beneficiaries could never be sure whether they will need to register or 
file petitions. The commenters concluded that allowing suspension of 
the registration process in any given fiscal year will make it even 
more difficult for businesses to hire necessary talent to meet their 
business needs and thus remain competitive in the global marketplace. 
Similarly, another commenter said the ability of USCIS to ``suspend'' 
the implementation of the registration process makes the entire process 
unreliable and unpredictable, which creates chaos within the H-1B Cap 
process.
    Response: DHS appreciates the commenter's concern about the 
challenges that employers and law firms may face if the registration 
requirement is not suspended far enough in advance of when the H-1B cap 
petition process would begin. To provide sufficient advance notice for 
the upcoming H-1B cap season, DHS is confirming in this final rule that 
USCIS will be suspending the registration requirement for the FY 2020 
cap season to allow potential H-1B petitioners sufficient time to 
prepare complete petitions for the FY 2020 H-1B cap. DHS, however, 
believes that it is important to provide USCIS with the flexibility to 
suspend the registration requirement at any time if the system becomes 
inoperable for any reason. DHS believes that this flexibility is needed 
to ensure that employers are not precluded from proceeding with the 
petition process in the event that circumstances render the system 
inoperable.
    Comment: An individual commenter asked whether potential H-1B 
beneficiaries will continue to have until the filing date to get their 
degree or if USCIS will instead require that an H-1B beneficiary must 
be eligible for the H-1B benefit upon registration submission. A 
company requested that USCIS clarify the date by which a beneficiary 
must complete degree requirements, by the registration date or complete 
petition filing date. A law firm also asked if beneficiaries would have 
to be qualified for a position at the time they are registered.
    Response: This final rule does not alter the general requirement 
for establishing eligibility at the time the petition is filed, but 
merely sets forth an antecedent procedural step that must be followed 
in order to establish eligibility to file an H-1B cap petition, thereby 
providing for a more efficient cap selection process for petitioners 
and

[[Page 903]]

USCIS. Eligibility for H-1B classification does not need to be 
demonstrated at the time a registration is submitted.
    Comment: A professional services company suggested that trainings, 
demonstrations, sample forms and a list of required information should 
be made available to petitioners before the registration period. A law 
firm and an individual attorney also requested that training tools, 
demonstrations, samples or special instructions be made available to H-
1B petitioners to ensure that they can properly complete the new 
registration requirement.
    Response: As noted, USCIS will be suspending the registration 
requirement until the registration system is fully tested to ensure 
that it is reliably operable and, if necessary, to allow time for any 
system modifications as a result of commenter concerns raised in 
response to the proposed rule. DHS will publish a notice in the Federal 
Register announcing the initial implementation of the registration 
process in advance of the cap season in which USCIS will first 
implement the registration process. As the testing continues, USCIS is 
exploring a number of options for efficient operation and maintenance 
of the system. USCIS will also engage in stakeholder outreach and 
provide training to the regulated public on the new registration system 
in advance of the initial implementation of the registration process.
    Comment: One individual commenter recommended conducting two rounds 
of registrations, with limits in the first registration on the number 
of registrations that an employer can submit and on the number of 
registrations that can be selected on behalf of a single beneficiary.
    Response: DHS thanks the commenter for these suggestions. While the 
registration process already contemplates the selection of additional 
registrations if DHS does not select a sufficient number to meet the 
cap projections, as well as the reopening of the registration process 
to ensure sufficient number of registrations are selected toward the 
cap, DHS does not have the authority to place quotas or limits on 
employers or beneficiaries, beyond what it authorized by Congress in 
the INA.
    Comment: An attorney expressed concerns about an electronic filing 
system, and asserted that there are no forms currently available that 
can be readily submitted electronically by an attorney on behalf of 
their client, which can interfere with attorney-client relationships. 
Another attorney stated that IT complications with government-run 
websites forced multiple colleagues out of practice in the past year.
    Response: As noted, USCIS will be suspending the registration 
requirement for the FY 2020 cap season (beginning April 1, 2019) to 
complete all requisite user testing of the new H-1B registration system 
and otherwise ensure the system and process are operable. As the 
testing continues, USCIS is exploring a number of options for efficient 
operation and maintenance of the system. USCIS is confident that this 
suspension will address concerns related to the electronic filing 
system.
6. Fraud and Abuse Prevention for Registration Requirement
a. Suggestions Related to Fee Collection
    Comment: Some commenters said DHS should charge a non-refundable 
fee for the electronic registration or collect the petition processing 
fee during registration to deter potential abuse of the registration 
process. Additionally, some commenters said DHS should require all of 
the H-1B petition filing fees at the time of registration, which could 
be refunded if not selected. Similarly, a couple of commenters 
suggested that the fee payment be required as a condition of 
registration, but only deducted once a registrant is selected (i.e., 
non-selected registrants would not have payment required).
    Response: As noted, USCIS will be suspending the registration 
requirement for the FY 2020 cap season (beginning April 1, 2019) to 
complete all requisite user testing of the new H-1B registration system 
and otherwise ensure the system and process are operable. The 
suspension of the registration process will be formally announced on 
the USCIS website after this final rule goes into effect. As the 
testing continues, USCIS is exploring a number of options for efficient 
operation and maintenance of the system, as well as additional fraud 
and abuse prevention measures. Under this final rule, DHS will not be 
charging a fee for registration at this time. DHS recognizes that some 
employers may be more willing to submit a registration, once the 
registration process is implemented, than they are willing to submit a 
complete H-1B cap-petition with filing fees, as well as the potential 
for employers to submit non-meritorious registrations. DHS has taken 
steps, however, to prevent speculative or frivolous registrations. As 
noted elsewhere in this rule, DHS will require registrants to attest 
that they intend to file an H-1B petition for the beneficiary in the 
position for which the registration is filed. This attestation is 
intended to ensure that each registration is connected with a bona fide 
job offer and, if selected, will result in the filing of an H-1B 
petition. DHS may consider charging a fee in the future to recover the 
costs of processing registrations as well as recover costs of building, 
operating, and maintaining the registration system. DHS would propose 
such a fee by publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register. DHS cannot adopt the commenter's suggestion to require 
petitioners to include petition filing fees at the time of registration 
due to current system limitations and requirements. In addition, 
requiring USCIS to refund or hold funds would not be operationally 
efficient and would require USCIS to incur additional expenses, as 
USCIS incurs a cost any time it is required to refund a fee to an 
applicant or petitioner.
    Comment: Some commenters said any registrant who is selected and 
chooses not to submit an H-1B petition for its selected registration(s) 
should be required to pay H-1B petition filing fees. One of these 
commenters said this situation is no different from one in which a 
petitioner files the H-1B petition, with all fees and documents, and 
later requests for a withdrawal of the petition before adjudication, in 
which case USCIS does not refund the fees. This commenter suggested 
that the selected registrants pay all the required filing fees, such as 
the $460 base filing fee, the $1,500/$750 ACWIA fee, as applicable, and 
the $4,000 Public Law 114-113 fee, as applicable, even if they do not 
file a petition. Another commenter said selected registrants who do not 
submit an H-1B petition should be fined 2-3 times the amount of the 
filing fee. A business association stated that, to the extent a penalty 
is imposed, there should be an avenue for appeal. However, another 
commenter said petitioners should be eligible for a refund of all fees 
if they file but subsequently withdraw the petition, but they should be 
required to submit reasons and detailed information in the withdrawal.
    Response: DHS declines to adopt the commenters' suggestions to 
collect petition filing fees at time of registration. DHS does not view 
registration as the same as filing a petition. Submission of the 
registration is merely an antecedent procedural requirement to properly 
file the petition. DHS also declines to include a fine in the rule, to 
the extent it has such authority, for petitioners who do not file 
subsequent petitions given that there may be legitimate reasons why a 
petition is not filed following

[[Page 904]]

registration (e.g. the beneficiary may have decided to pursue other 
employment opportunities or the business environment has changed). 
However, DHS notes that there may be monetary fines/criminal penalties 
under 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(3) which apply generally to statements/
representations made to the Federal Government, and registrants that 
engage in a pattern and practice of submitting registrations for which 
they do not file a petition following selection may be referred for 
investigation of potential abuse of the system. However, as discussed 
elsewhere in this rule, DHS may consider charging a separate 
registration fee in the future.
    Comment: One commenter expressed concern that DHS would return the 
petition filing fees on un-selected H-1B petitions. The commenter 
asserted that, in order to cut down on temptation to game the system 
with redundant registrations for the same job, the Fraud Prevention Fee 
and the appropriate ACWIA fees should be forfeited for any 
registration, petition, or application.
    Response: DHS will not be collecting fees at the time of 
registration, but rather when the petition is filed, consistent with 
current practice. Although DHS currently will not be requiring any fees 
at the time of registration, DHS is looking at other ways to prevent 
potential fraud and abuse of the registration system and process. DHS 
may consider charging a fee in the future, and will notify stakeholders 
by publishing a notice in the Federal Register if and when a fee is 
proposed.
b. Suggestions To Deter Fraud Related to Employers/Petitioners
    Comment: One commenter stated that, since the current I-129 form 
does not require any unique identification of a proposed alien 
beneficiary unless the alien is in the United States already, employers 
may enter fictitious H-1B petitions into the lottery, and then create 
fraudulent documents to transform an actual alien into the ``person'' 
named in the lottery. The commenter supported the inclusion of passport 
number as required information, but said DHS should go even further and 
require the employer to submit a photograph of the proposed beneficiary 
when submitting a registration.
    Response: As stated elsewhere in this rule, DHS does not believe 
that requesting additional information about the beneficiary or the 
petitioner is necessary to effectively administer the registration 
system. USCIS believes the current required information is sufficient 
to identify the registrant and limit potential fraud and abuse of the 
registration system. If USCIS determines that collecting additional 
information is necessary for the effective operation of the 
registration process, USCIS will comply with the PRA and request OMB 
approval of any material modifications to that information collection. 
This final rule authorizes USCIS to collect sufficient information for 
each registration to mitigate the risk of fraud and abuse. Each 
registration requires completion of an attestation, and individuals or 
entities who falsely attest to the bona fides of the registration and 
submit frivolous registrations may be referred to appropriate federal 
law enforcement agencies for investigation and further action as 
appropriate. DHS further notes that selected registrants who 
subsequently file an H-1B petition will be required to make additional 
attestations, under penalty of perjury, when signing and submitting the 
Form I-129 petition. The existing attestation on Form I-129 requires 
the petitioner to attest that the petition and documents submitted in 
support of the petition are true and correct. If a petitioner submits 
fraudulent documents to establish the identity of the beneficiary, the 
petitioner will be investigated and referred for further action, as 
appropriate.
    Comment: Some commenters expressed general concern that the rule 
cannot prevent fraudulent employers and ``body shops'' from potentially 
abusing the registration system. Several commenters said USCIS should 
limit the allowed registrations per employer to deter against USCIS 
being flooded with registrations when there are not an equivalent 
number of jobs, particularly by staffing companies or large employers 
in industries where labor is fungible. One commenter expressed similar 
concerns about employers registering for lots of prospective workers, 
stating that once their registrations are selected, these employers 
with a registration in hand can carry out their original speculation 
much more effectively. Another commenter asked how USCIS would protect 
against the unauthorized practice of law by ``notorio's,'' [sic] and 
how USCIS could know if the registration system would crash causing all 
submissions to be lost.
    Response: This final rule requires registrants to attest that they 
intend to file an H-1B petition for the beneficiary in the position for 
which the registration is filed. This attestation is intended to ensure 
that each registration is connected with a bona fide job offer and, if 
selected, will result in the filing of an H-1B petition. If USCIS finds 
that petitioners are registering numerous beneficiaries but are not 
filing petitions for selected beneficiaries at a rate indicative of a 
pattern and practice of abuse of the registration system, USCIS will 
investigate those practices and hold petitioners accountable for not 
complying with the attestations, consistent with its existing authority 
to prevent and deter fraud and abuse. See DHS Delegation 0150.1(II)(I). 
For example, USCIS may refer the matter to a law enforcement agency for 
further review and enforcement action. See Id. Finally, USCIS has 
robust anti-fraud measures in place and will act appropriately should 
it notice abuse or other issues, such as the unauthorized practice of 
law.
    Comment: Multiple commenters, some of whom supported the goal of 
moving to an electronic registration process, expressed general concern 
that the reduced paperwork burden and absence of fees would create a 
low bar for entry to the registration system, which could lead to a 
flood of (potentially non-meritorious) H-1B petitions, thus increasing 
burden and defeating the purpose of selecting skilled advanced degree 
holders selected. A company asserted that the registration process must 
necessarily impose a low burden in order to achieve the cost benefits 
and efficiencies the rule seeks to achieve, but the ease of that 
process is in direct tension with the goal of ensuring that only 
legitimate registrations are made. Several commenters, including 
companies, a business association, and SBA Office of Advocacy, said 
small businesses are particularly concerned about the potential that 
other registrants, particularly large companies that are H-1B dependent 
or rely heavily upon the H-1B program, could flood the registration 
system to the detriment of small businesses. A professional association 
stated that a very small number of companies that can employ economies 
of scale and utilize systems to file a large number of registrations to 
generate a higher yield, could effectively force small employers out of 
the H-1B program altogether.
    Response: To address potential issues of ``flooding the system'' 
with non-meritorious registrations, the final rule prohibits a 
petitioner from submitting more than one registration for the same 
beneficiary during the same fiscal year, prohibits the substitution of 
beneficiaries, and requires each registrant to make an attestation in 
the system indicating their intent to file an H-1B petition for the 
beneficiary in the position for which the registration is submitted. 
This attestation is intended to ensure that each registration is

[[Page 905]]

connected with a bona fide job offer and, to the extent selected, will 
result in the filing of an H-1B petition. Once the registration system 
is implemented, it is possible that DHS may receive more registrations 
than it would have received petitions for the cap filing season; 
however, this is not a certainty and DHS does not anticipate a 
significant increase in overall petitions due to the registration 
requirement. DHS anticipates that the registration requirement will 
result in a more streamlined process of receiving and processing H-1B 
cap-subject petitions.
    Further, the registration requirement provides for an initial 
registration period that will last for at least 14 days, which is 
intended to, among other things, ensure that the process is fair and 
orderly and doesn't unfairly disadvantage small businesses who might 
not be as well-positioned as a large company or experienced H-1B 
petitioner to submit registrations immediately upon the opening of the 
registration period.
    Comment: A law firm said the current proposal does not indicate 
what precisely will happen in the case of duplicate registrations 
(i.e., petitioners that submit more than one registration for the same 
beneficiary). The commenter expressed concern that the second 
registration may be submitted to ``correct'' an error discovered in the 
first registration, and suggested that users discard the first 
registration and proceed with the subsequent registration. An 
individual commenter said all duplicate registrations must be filtered 
out before conducting the lottery.
    Referencing the requirement barring employers from submitting two 
petitions for the same beneficiary, a couple of companies asked how 
petitioners are supposed to avoid inadvertently submitting a petition 
for a beneficiary who also is a beneficiary under an affiliate 
company's petition. The commenter asserted that, while appropriate, 
this requirement increases the burden on employers and will be 
difficult for employers to meet. An individual commenter said employers 
will not be able to prevent a single beneficiary accepting multiple job 
offers with several petitioners who unknowingly filed H-1B petitions 
for the same beneficiary.
    Response: Under this final rule, if a specific petitioner submits 
more than one registration per beneficiary in the same fiscal year, all 
registrations filed by that petitioner relating to that beneficiary for 
that fiscal year will be considered invalid. See 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(8)(iii)(A)(2). The current regulations also prohibit a 
petitioner from filing more than one H-1B petition in the same fiscal 
year on behalf of the same beneficiary if the beneficiary is subject to 
either the regular cap or advanced degree exemption, see 8 CFR 
214.2(h)(2)(i)(G). USCIS will continue to apply the regulatory 
prohibition on the filing of multiple H-1B cap petitions for the same 
beneficiary. If the petitioner (including related entities, such as a 
parent, company, subsidiary or affiliate) files more than one H-1B cap 
petition for the same beneficiary in the same fiscal year, all of the 
H-1B cap petitions filed for that beneficiary by the related entities 
would be denied or revoked, unless the petitioner is able to 
demonstrate a legitimate business need for filing multiple petitions. 
USCIS notes that there is no prohibition on a prospective H-1B 
beneficiary considering job opportunities with multiple employers which 
may seek to extend a job offer. A petitioner will be able to edit a 
registration up until the petitioner submits the registration. A 
petitioner may delete a registration and resubmit it prior to the close 
of the registration period.
    Comment: Other commenters expressed concern about the influx of 
registrations for unqualified or cap-exempt beneficiaries. An 
individual commenter expressed concerns that some employers who are not 
familiar with H-1B eligibility requirements might submit registrations 
without regard as to whether the beneficiaries are likely to qualify 
for the H-1B classification, thereby flooding the system with 
registrations that, if selected, are likely to result in a denial of a 
subsequently filed petition. The commenter stated that, in the current 
system, these same employers are likely to consult with counsel prior 
to incurring the time and expense of submitting an H-1B petition with 
filing fees, and during such consultation those employers would become 
aware of the eligibility requirements such that they would be less 
likely to file a petition that may be selected under the H-1B numerical 
allocations. A law firm and a professional association said none of the 
information required to submit a successful registration requires the 
employer to even minimally evaluate whether the position in question is 
of ``H-1B caliber,'' or whether the employee has the proper education 
and credentials to qualify for H-1B status. By not forcing employers to 
go through an initial eligibility assessment, there is no incentive for 
employers who are not well-versed in H-1B law to abstain from randomly 
registering any position that they believe might qualify for an H-1B. 
In addition, these commenters said there are no regulations or clear 
guidance to assist employers in determining whether they would qualify 
for cap-exemption as a nonprofit organization ``related to or 
affiliated with'' an institution of higher education, so if a 
petitioner has any doubt as to its cap-exempt status, it will elect to 
proceed with caution and register.
    Response: DHS recognizes that some employers may be more willing to 
submit a registration, once the registration process is implemented, 
than they are willing to submit a complete H-1B cap-petition with 
filing fees. DHS has taken steps, however, as described in more detail 
above, to prevent speculative or frivolous registrations. However, 
because the registration system is not intended to replace the petition 
system, DHS will not have a means for up-front determining whether a 
registration is meritorious until after it is selected and a petition 
resulting from such registration is properly filed. DHS recognizes that 
some registrations will not lead to approved H-1B cap-petitions, and 
will therefore hold unselected registrations in reserve and will 
conduct additional selections if necessary.
    Comment: An individual commenter said DHS should build a database 
to link the identity of the beneficiaries and the petitioners to 
determine whether multiple petitioners share the same set of 
beneficiaries. The commenter said these petitioners should be required 
to submit additional information to prove they are not abusing the 
system and be notified that H-1B transfers would not be processed 
between these petitioners for these beneficiaries, unless further 
evidence is provided. This commenter also said DHS should closely 
monitor, analyze, and require more information from companies with less 
petitioning history, high petition denial ratios, and relatively low 
prevailing wages in their respective industries.
    Response: The regulations do not currently restrict multiple 
unrelated employers from petitioning for the same beneficiary or 
beneficiaries, and DHS does not intend to impose such a limitation in 
the registration process in this final rule. As described elsewhere, 
DHS will be putting measures in place to discourage non-meritorious 
registrations, and taking appropriate action against those who do file 
non-meritorious registrations, but will not adopt the commenter's 
suggestion of requiring additional evidence at the time of registration 
because doing so is inconsistent with creating a streamlined

[[Page 906]]

process for administering the H-1B allocations.
    Comment: Some commenters, including a form letter campaign, said 
the labor condition application (LCA), which is a critical source of 
data on employers who seek to hire H-1B workers and what positions and 
wages they are offering, requires third-party placement disclosure up 
front and includes the location of the end client, should be required 
when filing the registration to deter staffing companies from filing 
registrations based on purely speculative employment. A union stated 
that the LCA is the primary tool that exists within the H-1B program, 
and it would be counterproductive to further undermine the utility of 
the LCA, and by extension the role of the DOL in overseeing the 
program, by allowing pre-registration without requiring that this basic 
threshold be met. Another union similarly stated that, while 
understanding DHS rationale for a more efficient administrative process 
for the agency, removing the LCA filing from the initiation of the H-1B 
petitioning process is not a productive trade off, as this information 
is essential to maintaining the integrity of the H-1B petition filing 
process and the overall H-1B program.
    Response: The period of employment on an LCA may not exceed three 
years for an LCA issued on behalf of an H-1B nonimmigrant. Thus, if an 
LCA is required with the electronic registration, and the registration 
is submitted prior to April 1, a petitioner would not be able to 
request a full three years of H-1B classification for the beneficiary. 
DHS has decided not to require an LCA with the filing of a registration 
so that petitioners can, if appropriate, request the full three years 
in H-1B status. DHS believes that the measures described above are 
sufficient to deter companies from filing registrations based on purely 
speculative employment.
    Comment: To deter abuse of an electronic system, an individual 
commenter suggested that, during registration, every petitioner must 
provide evidence of a certified LCA, degree certificate, a bona fide 
job offer letter and a client job offer letter if the beneficiary would 
be placed with a third-party client.
    Response: DHS is not adopting this recommendation. For the reasons 
stated above, a certified LCA will not be required prior to submission 
of a registration. DHS believes that requiring the evidence listed by 
the commenter at the registration stage would significantly increase 
costs to both USCIS and employers, and would therefore significantly 
reduce the overall benefit of the electronic registration system.
    Comment: An attorney suggested that failing to submit a petition 
upon selection should result in USCIS refusing to consider any other H-
1B candidates selected for processing for that employer.
    Response: The rule requires registrants to attest that they intend 
to file an H-1B petition for the beneficiary in the position for which 
the registration is filed. However, USCIS recognizes that there may be 
some legitimate reasons that a petitioner cannot ultimately file for 
the beneficiary once a registration is selected and therefore, USCIS is 
not imposing a ban on accepting other petitions from that employer. If 
USCIS finds that petitioners are registering numerous beneficiaries but 
are then not filing petitions for selected beneficiaries, USCIS will 
investigate those practices and could hold petitioners accountable for 
not complying with the attestations and may refer the matter to a law 
enforcement agency for further review and possible enforcement action.
    Comment: A business association stated that, even if the government 
observes manipulation of the online registration system, USCIS will not 
be able to prevent those employers from flooding the system to improve 
their chances of being selected under the H-1B allocations. The 
commenter therefore requested that USCIS (1) provide additional 
information to the public about the effectiveness of the government's 
legal authorities and operational tools to prevent such abuses, and (2) 
then allow the public additional time to analyze and submit comments on 
whether the benefits of the proposal outweigh potential unintended 
consequences.
    Response: As noted, USCIS will be suspending the registration 
requirement for the FY 2020 cap season (beginning April 1, 2019) to 
complete all requisite user testing of the new H-1B registration system 
and otherwise ensure the system and process are operable. As the 
testing continues, USCIS is exploring a number of options for efficient 
operation and maintenance of the system. To mitigate the potential for 
abuse of the system, and to ensure that the benefits of the system are 
not outweighed by the potential that unscrupulous registrants may try 
to game the system, this final rule requires registrants to attest that 
they intend to file an H-1B petition for the beneficiary in the 
position for which the registration is filed. This attestation is 
intended to ensure that each registration is connected with a bona fide 
job offer and, if selected, will result in the filing of an H-1B 
petition. If USCIS finds that petitioners are registering numerous 
beneficiaries but are not filing petitions for selected beneficiaries 
at a rate indicative of a pattern and practice of abuse of the 
registration system, USCIS will investigate those practices and hold 
petitioners accountable for not complying with the attestations, 
consistent with its existing authority to prevent and deter fraud and 
abuse. See DHS Delegation 0150.1(II)(I). For example, USCIS may refer 
the matter to a law enforcement agency for further review and 
enforcement action. See Id.
    Comment: Some commenters said there are insufficient safeguards and 
clarity in the rule to adequately address system fraud and abuse. An 
industry association stated that, while the NPRM mentions the 
possibility of investigations if USCIS detects patterns of abuse, the 
rule does not clarify what enforcement mechanism can be used to protect 
the integrity of the registration system.
    A few industry associations supported attestation requirements 
requiring a petitioner to affirmatively declare or certify that there 
is a bona fide opportunity for each entry submitted, as well as the 
intent to file H-1B petitions that are selected.
    Referencing the NPRM statement that USCIS will monitor whether 
selected registrations are corresponding with actual H-1B visa petition 
filings, some commenters requested additional clarity on how this data 
will be tracked, the criteria the agency will use to determine whether 
there is potential abuse of the program, and the threshold for 
penalties.
    A company provided the following suggestions for an integrity-based 
incentives structure to prevent abuse of the registration system: (1) 
Base such a structure on an investigative trigger point, such as where 
an employer fails to submit petitions for more than ten percent of its 
accepted registrations, (2) consider bars to future filings for 
employers who cannot provide legitimate business or other valid reasons 
for a pattern of registrations for beneficiaries for whom it does not 
submit a petition after acceptance, and (3) establish notice and a 
mechanism for pursuing civil and criminal penalties for knowingly false 
statements in the registration process.
    A couple of companies said it is unclear how USCIS will enforce the 
rule barring parent companies, subsidiaries, and affiliate companies 
from submitting a petition for the same beneficiary.
    A union stated that such investigation and enforcement cannot be 
undertaken

[[Page 907]]

without adequate resources and staff, and no revenue source has been 
stipulated for this essential work. Similarly, an attorney stated that 
the proposal only makes fraud detection more difficult by requiring 
investigators to weed out fraudulent cap registrations from innocent 
ones. Another union suggested that compliance and enforcement efforts 
should be funded through a registration fee and any fines collected.
    Response: DHS does not believe that further changes are needed at 
this time but may consider further revisions in a future rulemaking 
action. DHS has explained, in response to other comments in this rule, 
its authority to investigate and refer matters to law enforcement 
agencies for further action, as appropriate. DHS does not believe that 
it is necessary or prudent to set a benchmark, such as 10 percent as 
the commenter suggested, before investigating or suspecting that a 
petitioner violated the attestation or otherwise abused the system. 
Cases of potential abuse will involve a case-by-case review of the 
facts involved, including any mitigating facts or circumstances. For 
example, a small business that only submits two registrations, both of 
which are selected, but only files one petition for valid reasons would 
have a fifty percent failure to file rate, but the relevance of that 
percentage would be vastly different than a large petitioner with 
hundreds of selected registrations but a similar fifty percent failure 
to file rate. Lastly, DHS notes that this final rule does not change 
how USCIS will enforce the existing rules prohibiting a petitioner 
(including related entities) from filing multiple H-1B cap-petitions 
for the same beneficiary in the same fiscal year, absent a legitimate 
business need to do so. USCIS will continue to enforce the existing 
prohibition, codified at 8 CFR 214.2(h)(2)(i)(G). If a petitioner 
(including related entities) files multiple petitions in violation of 8 
CFR 214.2(h)(2)(i)(G), USCIS will deny or revoke all petitions filed on 
that beneficiary's behalf by the petitioner.
    Comment: A labor union commented that registration will only be 
effective in protecting workers from fraud and abuse of the system if 
it allows for public access to employer information at the initial 
registration phase, and also creates an active mechanism for public 
objection and comment that will be taken into consideration by those 
ultimately approving H-1B petitions. Similarly, another labor union 
suggested that DHS make the information in the proposed registration 
system public and available as registrations are filed, selected, and 
``H-1B visas are awarded.''
    Response: DHS appreciates the commenters' concerns and suggestions 
but will not be adopting the suggestions given that the amount of 
information gathered as part of this streamlined registration process 
would not be sufficient to provide for meaningful consideration of the 
issues raised by the commenters. For example, the employer will not be 
required to provide information regarding the wage offered, or other 
details regarding the terms or conditions of the offered employment. 
Additionally, the registration process will not involve an adjudication 
of eligibility, but merely a random selection of registrations 
submitted. DHS will, however, consider making available to the public 
data collected through the registration system. Further, DHS is 
considering a separate notice of proposed rulemaking to strengthen the 
H-1B program, and some of the commenters' concerns and suggestions may 
be more within the scope of that separate rulemaking.
    Comment: Two commenters urged that, before a final rule is 
promulgated, USCIS needs to develop meaningful solutions that will 
guarantee the integrity of the registration process. Similarly, a 
professional organization stated that USCIS should reach out to U.S. 
employers and immigration attorneys to obtain feedback and workable 
solutions to address these issues and better ensure the integrity of 
the system.
    Response: USCIS will be suspending registration for FY 2020 as we 
seek to ensure that the system is secure, efficient for both 
stakeholders and USCIS, and the integrity of the H-1B program is 
maintained. We are considering all comments in this regard. If comments 
or issues raised warrant further public review, DHS will seek it via 
standard administrative procedures, which may include future 
rulemaking. Note that DHS will continuously seek improvements to the 
system, both prior to and after it is required for use by the public. 
Whether such improvements require a future rulemaking depend on the 
changes or efficiencies sought. Therefore, future rulemaking on this 
issue is a possibility even after full implementation for use.
    Comment: SBA Office of Advocacy and a trade association expressed 
concern that USCIS is seeking feedback from the public on ``ways to 
enhance the integrity of the registration system and reduce potential 
for abuse,'' but is only giving the public 30 days to recommend 
solutions to fix this proposal and may implement this proposal in the 
upcoming season despite these concerns.
    Response: USCIS will be suspending registration as we seek to 
ensure that the system is secure, efficient for both stakeholders and 
USCIS, and the integrity of the H-1B program is maintained. We are 
considering all comments in this regard. If comments or issues raised 
warrant further public review, DHS will seek it via standard 
administrative procedures, which may include future rulemaking. Note 
that DHS will continuously seek improvements to the system, both prior 
to and after it is required for use by the public. Whether such 
improvements require a future rulemaking depend on the changes or 
efficiencies sought. Therefore, future rulemaking on this issue is a 
possibility even after full implementation for use.
c. Suggestions To Deter Fraud Related to Beneficiaries
    Comment: Several commenters said DHS should limit the number of 
applications filed per beneficiary to deter flooding of the 
registration system with multiple applications sponsored by different 
companies for one beneficiary. Similarly, another commenter said a 
beneficiary should be counted as only ``one person'' in the selection 
process regardless of the number of H-1B registrations or petitions 
filed for that beneficiary, and if any one of the registrations or 
petitions filed on behalf of that beneficiary is found to be invalid/
fraudulent, all applications for that beneficiary should be rejected 
and the number made available to other candidates. A law firm said 
employers would like to avoid a situation in which a beneficiary gets 
two cap cases selected and chooses a different employer and suggested 
that USCIS create a process to catch duplicates from different 
companies. However, the commenter expressed concern that USCIS might 
err and reject the registration for a beneficiary who has the same name 
as another beneficiary but is actually a different person, concluding 
that the registration system should control for this possibility. Some 
commenters stated that, should the beneficiary wish to accept a 
different job offer, USCIS should allow for a change of employer 
petition to be filed that is not subject to the cap. Another suggestion 
was to alert the beneficiary that they are associated with multiple 
petitions, require the beneficiary to choose one within a specified 
period of time (e.g., 30 days), and revoke the un-used registrations to 
allow more cases to be selected.
    Another commenter asked if the necessary precautions have been

[[Page 908]]

considered to ensure that a beneficiary does not submit a registration 
on behalf of the petitioner to avoid having duplicate registrations. 
One commenter said limiting a beneficiary to one registration will make 
it easier for DHS to complete its data mining and monitor filing rates 
of individual employers, and another commenter said there should be 
direct denial of petitions that have multiple filings for the same 
beneficiary. A professional association stated that it is unclear 
whether protections are in place to prevent sabotage of the system and 
ensure that only authorized company representatives and attorneys can 
submit registrations, and without such protections, the system is open 
to abuse. A law firm stated that USCIS should ensure a password 
protected and employer-verified ``Employer Profile'' in which either 
the employer and/or their authorized representatives are given 
protected and confidential access with a username and password.
    Response: DHS notes that under the current process, with limited 
exceptions, multiple unrelated employers presently may file H-1B cap 
petitions for the same beneficiary. DHS believes that the registration 
process should similarly not preclude more than one unrelated employer 
from registering for the same beneficiary. DHS believes that such a 
limitation could disadvantage employers, such as small businesses, who 
might be unable or not as well-positioned to submit a registration 
before another employer seeking to hire the same beneficiary. If USCIS 
does a sweep for duplicate petitions, it will only look for 
registrations from the same employer for the same beneficiary. DHS 
believes that the information collected at the time of registration is 
sufficient to control for the possibility that a petitioner might 
submit registrations in the same fiscal year for two different 
beneficiaries that have the same name. As petitioners or authorized 
representatives will be required to complete registration on behalf of 
beneficiaries, USCIS does not anticipate duplicate registrations from 
both the petitioner and the beneficiary. As described elsewhere, DHS 
will be putting measures in place to discourage non-meritorious 
registrations, and will take appropriate action against those who do 
file non-meritorious registrations. USCIS is exploring a number of 
options for efficient operation, use, and maintenance of the system.
    Comment: A commenter said employers should be required to attest 
that they have not submitted H-1B petitions based on false resumes, 
fake experience, and/or fake training. The commenter said that fraud 
has plagued the H-1B process and this is good first step but there 
needs to be more scrutiny.
    Response: DHS notes that petitioners are already required to 
certify, under penalty of perjury, when completing the Form I-129 
petition that any supporting documents submitted with the petition are 
complete, true and correct. During the course of an H-1B petition 
adjudication, USCIS will review the beneficiary's qualifications. Any 
attempts to submit fraudulent evidence will be handled and reviewed 
under the current adjudication process and in coordination with the 
USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate. Additionally, 
as stated in the Unified Agenda, in a separate proposed rulemaking, DHS 
will propose to revise the definition of employment and employer-
employee relationship to better protect U.S. workers and wages.
7. Other Comments on H-1B Registration Program
    Comment: A business association stated that the final rule should 
acknowledge that USCIS has no authority to determine which employers 
can submit registrations.
    Response: DHS agrees with this commenter and has neither proposed 
in the NPRM nor included any limitation in this final rule regarding 
which employers can submit registrations.

F. Selection, Notification, and Filing

1. Annual Cap Projections, Reserve Registrations, Registration Re-
Opening
    Comment: An individual commenter stated that any ``application'' 
rejected or withdrawn after the H-1B selection process should be 
subtracted from the selected cap petitions count and the numbers be 
made available for wait-list candidates. Another individual commenter 
said that more H-1B petitions would be filed under the electronic 
submission process, and that many would be weak or non-meritorious and 
rejected. In that case, the commenter asked if USCIS would allow more 
unselected petitions into the system, or whether fewer H-1B visas would 
be granted in the end. An individual commenter suggested that 
unselected H-1B petitions should be granted the chance to apply for an 
open spot if a cap-selected case is denied on merits.
    Response: USCIS randomly selects a certain number of H-1B cap-
subject petitions projected as needed to meet the numerical limitation. 
USCIS makes projections on the number of H-1B cap-subject petitions 
necessary to meet the numerical limit, taking into account historical 
data related to approvals, denials, revocations, and other relevant 
factors.\8\ USCIS uses these projections to determine the number of 
petitions to select to meet, but not exceed, the 65,000 regular cap and 
20,000 advanced degree exemption, although the exact percentage and 
number of petitions may vary depending on the applicable projections 
for a particular fiscal year. Similarly, in years when USCIS uses the 
registration system, it will project how many registrations need to be 
selected in order to meet, but not exceed the numerical limitations. 
Unselected registrations will remain on reserve for the applicable 
fiscal year. If USCIS determines that it needs to increase the number 
of registrations projected to meet the regular cap or advanced degree 
exemption, and select additional registrations, USCIS would select from 
among the registrations that are on reserve a sufficient number to meet 
the cap or advanced degree exemption, or re-open the registration 
period if additional registrations are needed to meet the new projected 
amount.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(ii)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comment: A business association requested that USCIS provide 
additional clarity on how it will select extra registrations in years 
of high demand. A law firm identified issues regarding availability, 
allocation and wait lists, and submitted several specific questions 
with a request that USCIS address the concerns therein. For example, if 
the registration period is closed, and the H-1B petition is denied, how 
quickly will the number go back into the pool for the next person on 
the wait list, e.g., after the period for appeal has passed? Will there 
be a prohibition against the petitioner filing a new H-1B petition on 
behalf of the named beneficiary under that registration until the next 
fiscal year? If the registration period is still open, and the H-1B 
petition is denied, resulting in the number going back into the pool, 
may the petitioner submit a second registration for the named 
beneficiary, and file a new H-1B petition if the new registration is 
selected?
    Response: As stated above, if USCIS determines that it needs to 
increase the number of registrations projected to meet the regular cap 
or advanced degree exemption, and select additional registrations, 
USCIS would select from among the registrations that are on reserve a 
sufficient number to meet the cap or advanced degree exemption, or re-
open the registration period if additional registrations are needed to 
meet the new projected amount. Although USCIS has not determined the

[[Page 909]]

specific amount of time it will take to go to the reserve pool for 
additional registrations, USCIS intends to monitor the selected of 
number of registrations closely to determine if more registrations will 
need to be selected such that a sufficient number of petitions are 
filed to meet the number of petitions projected as needed to reach the 
regular cap or advanced degree exemption. As stated elsewhere, DHS is 
prohibiting petitioners from submitting more than one registration for 
the same beneficiary during the same fiscal year.
2. Notification
    Comment: A law firm requested that USCIS notify selected 
petitioners by mail, noting the importance of establishing a reliable 
method of reaching and informing those on the reserve list. Another law 
firm suggested that the filing notification should be accessed online, 
similar to the CBP I-94 system. Since proof of selection must be 
submitted with the petition filing, the commenter argued that an email 
notification could be easily lost or deleted, the commenter urged that 
users have online access to get a copy of the notification. An 
individual commenter suggested that an electronic notification of 
selection should be issued to the employer, attorney and beneficiary to 
ensure that all parties are aware of, and prepared for, the appropriate 
next steps. Two companies argued that the proposed requirement to 
submit a copy of the registration information with a filed petition is 
unnecessary and burdensome. A law firm urged USCIS to provide 
additional means to obtain copies of selection notices because of the 
unreliability of email, and the possibility that a company's authorized 
representative might change. The commenter suggested that selection 
notices should be accessible via a secure portal on the USCIS website, 
or USCIS should provide a method for requesting a duplicate copy of the 
selection notice. Alternatively, USCIS should include a field for 
attorney or accredited representative in the registration, so that 
multiple parties receive the selection notice. Finally, a law firm 
requested that USCIS provide guidelines indicating the time period for 
notifying petitioners.
    Response: As noted, USCIS will be suspending the registration 
requirement for the FY 2020 cap season (beginning April 1, 2019) to 
complete all requisite user testing of the new H-1B registration system 
and otherwise ensure the system and process are operable. Petitioners 
and their representatives will be able to login and see registrations 
and/or selection notices and print a copy of these selection notices if 
needed. USCIS will not be separately notifying the beneficiary and DHS 
does not believe that it is necessary to do so given that the 
petitioner is the affected party in the administrative proceeding. DHS 
believes that requiring petitioners to submit a copy of the 
registration with the associated petition is necessary to ensure 
efficient and timely processing and adjudication of the petition. 
Otherwise, there may be substantial delay in verifying and matching a 
filed petition with a specific registration. As the testing continues, 
USCIS is exploring a number of additional options for efficient 
operation and maintenance of the system and may consider further 
revisions in a PRA or future rulemaking action.
3. Filing Time Periods
    Comment: A number of commenters stated that, once a case is 
selected, there will be little time to actually prepare the case and 
file it within the deadline USCIS will set. The commenters asserted 
that 60 days will not always be enough time, and employers and their 
counsel with large volumes to file will be overwhelmed. Many 
commenters, including business or trade associations, advocacy 
organizations, professional associations, companies, and attorneys, 
commented that 60 days will be an insufficient amount of time for a 
company to gather all the necessary documentation to properly file the 
petition. For large companies that have several hundred registrations 
selected and must file all of those petitions within a 60-day period, 
those companies could easily be overwhelmed with such a large workload 
in a very compressed time period. The commenter also stated that the 
filing periods could cause uncertainty for their business because it 
could potentially produce a situation where even more petitions are not 
approved by the time the company expected the worker to commence 
employment. Additionally, a few commenters, including a trade 
association, a professional association, a law firm, and an attorney, 
argued that 90 days will be a more sufficient amount of time to 
complete a filing. The professional association further recommended 
that USCIS should allow for a 30-day extension of filing periods if, 
for whatever reason, the petitioner is unable to meet a filing 
deadline. Some commenters, including trade or business associations, 
advocacy groups, a professional association, and a company, recommended 
a 120-day period to file an H-1B visa petition after a registration is 
selected. SBA Office of Advocacy said USCIS should set a timeline with 
specific dates for this H-1B visa registration and petition process so 
that businesses can plan their workforce and budgets properly. A trade 
association commented that the petition preparation process, which 
includes filing a LCA with the U.S. Department of Labor and a 
prevailing wage determination, can take up to 6-months for some 
employers. A business association argued the compressed 60-day filing 
period could cause processing delays associated with outstanding 
petitions, which could make it difficult for companies to anticipate 
projected staff and workforce needs because of uncertainty if a 
petition will be approved or not. A law firm expressed concern with the 
variable nature of the length of filing period, reasoning that USCIS 
designation of a filing period on a case-by-case basis would cause 
unnecessary confusion for employers with multiple H-1B filings.
    A company commented that because it would be difficult to complete 
the large number of H-1B visa petitions that it submits annually in a 
60-day period, the company would be forced to prepare all potential 
cases in advance of finding out which registrants had been selected. 
The company argued that having to prepare all of its petitions due to 
the brief filing window defeats one of the main goals of the 
registration process, which is eliminating wasted preparation work. 
Other commenters, including trade associations, advocacy groups, 
professional associations, and a company, expressed similar concerns 
about the proposed filing period negating the promised benefits of the 
rule because companies would have to perform preparation work prior to 
finding out which registrants had been selected.
    An advocacy group argued that the proposed 60-day filing window is 
aggravated by USCIS' recent policy memoranda, including the policy memo 
``Issuance of Certain RFEs and NOIDs; Revisions to Adjudicator's Field 
Manual (AFM), Chapter 10.5(a), Chapter 10.5(b).'' The commenter stated 
that the policy memoranda updates guidance to adjudicators, granting 
them both broad discretion to deny cases without first issuing request 
for evidence (RFE) or notices of intent to deny (NOID). The commenter 
went on to say that, if this rule were to become final as proposed, 
petitioners who neglect to provide certain evidence due to the rushed 
proposed timelines could be outright denied, instead of issued an RFE 
and given an opportunity to address whatever deficiency the officer 
found.

[[Page 910]]

    Response: DHS appreciates these comments and has reconsidered the 
period of time that will be granted for filing a petition. DHS is 
changing the timeframe for the filing of petitions in response to these 
comments and will provide for at least 90 days to file a petition for 
which a registration has been selected. After such selection, 
petitioners will be notified by USCIS of the exact amount of time 
allowed for filing the petition, which will in all cases be at least 90 
days, but may be longer at the discretion of USCIS. In addition, in 
response to certain concerns raised, including cap-gap relief as 
further explained below, USCIS will not implement the staggered filing 
system as detailed in the proposed rule. If their registration is 
selected, petitioners may file the relevant H-1B as allowed under 
current regulations, no more than 6 months prior to the date of need 
(commonly referred to as the employment ``start date'' indicated on the 
petition). Therefore, petitioners filing a petition based on a 
selection from the initial registration period may file such petitions 
on April 1 (if a business day) or the first business day thereafter, as 
is allowable under current regulations. DHS notes that the period of at 
least 90 days to file an H-1B cap-subject petition after registration 
selection also applies to those selections that occur outside of 
initial registration selection (e.g. selections following a re-opening 
of the registration period). In each instance, following selection of 
the registration, the employer will be given at least 90 days to file 
the H-1B cap-subject petition on the basis of that registration 
selection.
    Comment: A few commenters stated that the proposed registration 
requirement and filing window significantly shifts the timetable for 
submitting and receiving decisions on H-1B petitions later into the 
year. The commenters asserted that the extended filing deadline 
significantly pushes the timeline for submitting H-1B petitions later 
into the year and shrinks the period of time USCIS has to adjudicate 
the petitions before the start of the fiscal year on October 1. The 
commenters argued that this would almost certainly cause petition 
filings to be postponed and adjudication of petitions to be delayed, 
forcing a greater number of U.S. employers and prospective H-1B 
employees to wait beyond the start of the fiscal year on October 1 for 
decisions on their petitions. A few commenters, including a law firm 
and advocacy group, stated that the proposal to allow staggered filing 
windows would further exacerbate delays in the adjudication of 
petitions beyond October 1. A trade association commented that the 
proposed filing windows beginning in April would only cause further 
delay since the current processing time is around 9 months. Two trade 
associations recommended that USCIS conduct the lottery as early as 
January or February. A trade association noted that, if USCIS is unable 
to move the date of the lottery, then the agency should verify that the 
lottery and the confirmation of its corresponding results will occur on 
April 1 (or the next business day if April 1 falls on a weekend).
    Response: As noted above, petitioners will have at least 90 days to 
file a petition for which a registration has been selected. After such 
selection, petitioners will be notified by USCIS of the exact amount of 
time allowed for filing the petition, which will in all cases be at 
least 90 days but may be longer at the discretion of USCIS. Further, 
USCIS will not implement the staggered petition filing system as 
detailed in the proposed rule. Petitioners filing a petition based on a 
selection from the initial registration period may file such petitions 
beginning on April 1 (if a business day) or the first business day 
thereafter, as is allowable under current regulations. Based on a 
concern from the SBA Office of Advocacy, and other commenters that 
extending the registration period too far in advance may be detrimental 
to small businesses that are not able to project and identify potential 
beneficiaries as early as larger businesses, USCIS believes that the 
current timeframe of opening the registration period at least 14 
calendar days before the earliest date on which H-1B cap-subject 
petitions may be filed for a particular fiscal year is an appropriate 
time for the registration and lottery.
    Comment: An individual commenter stated 60 days is plenty of time 
to gather documents, create the petition, and file. Another commenter 
asserted that 60 days is too much time, as an LCA only takes a week to 
be certified, and said that 30 days would be a reasonable time.
    Response: While USCIS agrees with the commenter that 60 days would 
likely be sufficient, it understands that many commenters do not share 
this viewpoint and have requested a longer period. Therefore, USCIS has 
extended the filing period to at least 90 days.
    Comment: A business association asserted that a 4-month filing 
period after registration is selected and delaying implementation of 
the regulation would allow for sufficient time for employers to gather 
proper documentation and allow the government time to adjudicate H-1B 
Petitions before the beginning of the next fiscal year. The commenter 
also argued the proposed filing windows beginning in April would only 
cause further delay since the current processing time is around 9 
months.
    Response: As noted above, USCIS is not implementing the staggered 
filing aspect of the proposed regulation at this time. USCIS will 
announce in the Federal Register when the registration process will be 
implemented for the first time in advance of the cap season in which it 
will be operationalized. In addition, petitioners may file the petition 
based on a selected registration up to six months before to the 
employment start date, as is already allowable under current 
regulations. Further, the filing window will be at least 90 days for 
all petitions. This should provide sufficient time for petitioners to 
gather necessary documents and file their petitions. It further allows 
for USCIS to better manage and resource the adjudications process so 
that such adjudications are done as efficiently as possible. 
Importantly, it also allows those requiring ``cap gap protection'' (as 
explained further below) to file the petitions and have beneficiaries 
continue work authorization as allowed under current regulations.
    Comment: Many commenters expressed concerns about how the proposed 
filing time period would impact cap-gap beneficiaries. A few 
commenters, including a law firm and a company, commented that the 
foreseeable delays in H-1B visa petition adjudication that is likely to 
result because of the proposed filing time periods would cause many 
prospective H-1B employees not to receive a decision by October 1 when 
their cap-gap extension and employment authorization would expire. 
Specifically, the commenters argued that F-1 students relying on the 
cap-gap extension until October 1 will face many difficulties, such as 
financial loss, interruption to their lives, and uncertainty about 
their ability to remain in the country, as of a result of anticipated 
delays in the adjudication process. An individual commenter said that 
the proposed rule overlooked the interaction between the new 
registration requirement and ``cap gap'' currently provided to 
international student graduates with expiring F-1 status and Optional 
Practical Training (``OPT'') provided under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(vi). The 
commenter urged DHS to clarify in the regulations which document will 
trigger ``cap gap'' relief: the notice that the electronic registration 
has been

[[Page 911]]

selected or the actual H-1B petition receipt notice. The commenter 
recommended that the electronic registration notice trigger the ``cap 
gap'' relief to provide predictability and peace of mind for students 
and their employers who may have to wait at least 60 days after April 1 
in order to file their H-1B petition in order to qualify for ``cap 
gap'' relief. The commenter also suggested that the regulations could 
be revised to terminate ``cap gap'' if the selected employer ultimately 
fails to file the H-1B petition. Another commenter expressed concern 
over how the regulation would impact international students on an F-1 
visa authorized to work under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) 
program. Another commenter warned that the H-1B start-date would affect 
OPT status, and requested that USCIS remove the OPT extension cap in 
the event of a delay to the H-1B start date. A law firm addressed 
uncertainty around how F-1 students will claim cap-gap extensions, 
including which documents to use to prove cap-gap eligibility. The firm 
notes that under the established system, proper filing of H-1B 
petitions and I-797 receipt notices from USCIS were used to extend F-1 
status, and the new proposed system does not address this issue. The 
firm questioned whether students can use selection notices to claim 
cap-gap extensions, and whether students with applications on reserve 
are eligible for cap-gap extensions. The firm cautioned that the lack 
of clarity around the effect of the proposed change on cap-gap 
extension timelines and eligibility puts F-1 students with pending H-1B 
petitions at risk of inadvertently accruing unlawful presence in the 
United States. Accordingly, the firm requested that USCIS amend the 
rules governing the cap-gap extension before, or concurrent with, the 
rollout of the proposed changes. Finally, an attorney stated that the 
rule does not address how the system will interface with cap-gap work 
authorization, raising questions about whether cap-gap extensions will 
be granted upon registration or selection in the lottery, whether cap-
gap extensions will be granted if registration is suspended, and 
whether cap-gap extensions will be granted if processing is not 
completed by the start of the fiscal year.
    Various potential solutions were recommended to deal with this 
issue, including the following:
    <bullet> A trade association and a professional association 
requested that USCIS extend the cap-gap work authorization through the 
date that a decision is issued on a beneficiary's H-1B visa petition.
    <bullet> A trade association urged USCIS to ensure that cap-gap 
protections take effect once a pre-registration is filed, preceding the 
official petition filing, on behalf of the student beneficiary.
    <bullet> An advocacy group requested that the rule be revised to 
add text establishing that in the case of an F-1 nonimmigrant on either 
post completion 12-month OPT or a STEM OPT extension that the petition 
filing date be deemed to be the earlier of the practical training end 
date or the filing date.
    <bullet> A couple companies commented that employers need cap-gap 
to apply to selected registrations as well as properly filed petitions 
if USCIS implements this rule.
    Response: DHS appreciates these thoughtful comments and 
observations and will not be implementing the staggered filing process 
as proposed. Therefore, as is allowed under current regulations, 
petitioners will be able to file a petition based on a selected 
registration as much as 6 months prior to the start date even in years 
where USCIS uses the registration system. Accordingly, petitioners will 
be able to avail the beneficiary of any applicable cap gap protection 
of 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(vi) upon the filing of the H-1B cap-petition, as 
they currently may under the existing regulations. DHS believes that 
the timing of the annual initial registration period, which will occur 
before April 1 each year, allows for selection to occur prior to when 
H-1B cap-petitions may be filed, such that petitioners, if their 
registration is selected, have the ability to file as soon as eligible 
(i.e. April 1 or the next business day if April 1 falls on the weekend 
or a holiday). Petitioners with selected registrations will not have to 
wait for an applicable staggered filing window to begin. Removing the 
staggered filing concept will effectively maintain the status quo as it 
relates to cap-gap relief and provide petitioners with selected 
registrations with the flexibility to choose to file the associated H-
1B cap-petition as soon as eligible to file or to wait to file at any 
other point during the applicable filing period.
    DHS believes that the elimination of the staggered filing window 
concept moots out commenters' suggestions to revise the cap-gap 
provisions to provide cap-gap relief based on the selection of a 
registration rather than the filing of a petition. To the extent that 
such suggestions are not moot, DHS declines to revise the cap-gap 
provisions to rely upon the submission of a registration request or 
registration selection because DHS does not believe that extending the 
authorized period of stay or employment authorization of an F 
nonimmigrant should be based on submission of a registration or 
registration selection. Registration is designed to be a streamlined 
process to make the H-1B cap-selection process more efficient, and 
relying upon this process to extend immigration benefits is 
inconsistent with the narrow purpose of the requirement. Further, DHS 
believes that relying on registration to extend immigration benefits, 
such as those provided by cap-gap, would increase the risk for fraud 
and abuse of the system given that unscrupulous individuals could seek 
to submit fake, abusive or frivolous registrations simply to obtain 
such benefits.
    Regarding the suggestion that current regulations be amended to 
allow for cap gap relief beyond October 1 due to lengthy adjudications, 
USCIS believes the new registration process and 90-day filing window 
will afford USCIS the ability to adjudicate the cap-subject H-1B 
petitions more efficiently. DHS believes, however, that comments 
related to cap-gap relief generally, such as suggestions to revise the 
cap-gap provisions to allow for cap-gap relief beyond October 1 and to 
the date of adjudication are outside the scope of this rulemaking. As 
noted above, future rulemakings are under consideration, including 
possible changes to the cap-gap relief regulations.
    Comment: An individual commenter asked whether USCIS would be in 
charge of parsing through applications, if they were randomly selected, 
or if there was an algorithm which would judge the quality of each 
application.
    Response: USCIS will have a random registration selection process. 
USCIS will not evaluate the ``quality'' of the registration other than 
as discussed in this rule (e.g., to eliminate duplicate submissions). 
USCIS has experience in conducting a random selection in administering 
the H-1B cap and will continue to use a random selection process when 
selecting registrations.
    Comment: An organization stated April 1 should be the first day to 
submit LCAs, not to file H-1B petitions. The commenter argued that, 
according to a Department of Labor regulation (20 CFR 655.730 (b)), an 
LCA should be submitted to ETA no earlier than 6 months before the date 
of the period of intended employment, so April 1 would allow for H-1B 
visas to begin October 1, the start of the fiscal year.
    Response: The period of employment on a certified LCA may not 
exceed three years. DHS will not require the submission of an LCA with 
a

[[Page 912]]

registration so that petitioners can, if appropriate, request the full 
three years in H-1B status. Thus, a petitioner will be able to register 
prior to April 1, then if selected, may request the certification of an 
LCA by DOL prior to filing an H-1B petition. As noted above, 
petitioners will have at least 90 days to file a petition based on a 
registration selection. Therefore, petitioners could choose to submit 
an LCA to DOL on or after April 1, which would allow for an LCA 
validity period beginning October 1 under DOL regulations. Note that 
the LCA must be submitted and certified before the H-1B petition is 
filed in accordance with the registration selection notice with USCIS.
    Comment: Some commenters, including a trade association, a 
professional association, an advocacy group, a company, and a law firm, 
encouraged USCIS to reinstate premium processing for H-1B petitions to 
mitigate the effects of the anticipated delays caused by the proposed 
changes. An advocacy group and professional association commented that 
the proposed rule should be revised to codify mandatory access to 
premium processing for all H-1B petitions other than those that are 
extension requests to continue employment with the same employer. A 
trade association requested that the regulatory text explicitly provide 
employers with access to premium processing for any H-1B petition that 
is subject to the numerical limitations in either the H-1B cap or the 
advanced degree exemption.
    However, because of the significant cost of premium processing, a 
few commenters, including a trade association and a company, expressed 
hesitation for relying on premium processing as the solution to the 
timing issues created by the proposed filing window.
    Response: Mandatory access to premium processing would impede 
USCIS' ability to manage workloads across all benefit types as needed 
and as filing surges arise. Therefore, DHS is not adopting this 
suggestion.
    Comment: An advocacy group encouraged USCIS to consult with DOL, 
reasoning in part that DOL's insight and involvement could help craft 
clearer, more realistic timelines for filing.
    Response: DOL reviewed and commented on the proposed rule as part 
of the inter-agency clearance process and was consulted during the 
process of drafting the proposed rule.
    Comment: A law firm requested that the filing period be split into 
at least two periods similar to the H-2B program to allow petitioners 
adequate time to prepare and file H-1B petitions for selected 
registrants. An individual commenter in support of the proposed rule 
encouraged USCIS to take this opportunity to implement a quarterly 
registration system that provides U.S. employers with access to H-1Bs 
throughout the year and eliminates the de facto blackout period 
resulting from the current annual lottery system.
    Response: As noted above, the registration system will be suspended 
for FY 2020 to allow petitioners sufficient time to prepare for 
registration. In addition, DHS is finalizing a filing window of at 
least 90 days to provide petitioners with adequate time for preparation 
and filing of petitions once a registration has been selected. 
Regarding the requests for semi-annual or quarterly cap allocation, the 
commenter appears to promote greater access to H-1B workers throughout 
the fiscal year. Unlike in the H-2B semi-annual visa cap, DHS does not 
have the statutory authority to do a semi-annual or quarterly cap 
allocation in order to distribute the visas throughout the fiscal year. 
H-1B visas become available for the new fiscal year on October 1 and 
are available until they have been used. Therefore, USCIS cannot 
implement a quarterly or semi-annual registration system without 
additional statutory authority. Note also that as the H-1B visa cap 
does not apply to all H-1B petitions, employers may hire H-1B workers 
at any time during the fiscal year if particular employment 
circumstances do not warrant a count against that fiscal year's annual 
limitation.

G. Advanced Degree Exemption Allocation Amendment

1. Support for the Reversal of Selection Order
    Comment: Many commenters expressed support for the reversal of the 
selection order because it prioritizes applicants who invested in 
advanced degrees from U.S. institutions. Several commenters said the 
rule could help reduce or prevent jobs from being outsourced. A few 
commenters said the reversal will reduce the probability of selection 
of applicants with fake work experience.
    Response: DHS agrees with the commenters that this rule will 
prioritize beneficiaries who have earned a master's or higher degree 
from a U.S. institution of higher education. Although it is unclear how 
this rule would assist in preventing outsourcing or prevent 
beneficiaries from submitting fraudulent work experience, as the 
commenters suggested, DHS strives to enforce the existing H-1B 
regulations and prevent fraud in all program aspects.
2. Opposition to Reversal of Selection Order
    Comment: A few commenters expressed opposition to the selection 
order reversal, stating individuals with U.S. advanced degrees should 
maintain their own selection pool.
    Response: Reversing the cap selection order is expected to result 
in a greater number of beneficiaries with master's or higher degrees 
from U.S. institutions of higher education being selected under the 
numerical allocations and is in line with the executive order's 
directive to ``help ensure that H-1B visas are awarded to the most-
skilled or highest-paid petition beneficiaries.'' Furthermore, master's 
or higher degree holders still maintain their own selection pool.
3. Changed Order of Selecting Registrations or Petitions To Reach the 
Cap Allocations
    Comment: Several commenters stated the change in selection order 
will ensure more higher-skilled workers become H-1B beneficiaries and 
reward international students who have invested time and money into a 
U.S. education. A trade association and a company asserted several 
industries require advanced degrees and this reversal is crucial ensure 
employers are hiring a competitive workforce. A company further noted 
the congressional support to facilitate high skilled STEM occupations 
with advanced degrees, and cited research studies showing the economic 
benefit of reversing the selection order to prioritize advanced degree 
applicants. A company and an attorney commented that the potential 
increase of master's students from the proposed rule would provide 
benefits to the U.S. economy at large. An individual commenter wrote 
that master's students will have a better chance of selection for a 
visa. A trade association argued the potential of up to 16% more H-1B 
beneficiaries with advanced degrees would greatly benefit companies 
hiring for technical and other advanced positions.
    Response: DHS agrees with the commenters that this rule will 
prioritize beneficiaries who have earned a master's or higher degree 
from a U.S. institution of higher education. It was clearly Congress's 
intent to prioritize such workers by creating a 20,000 cap exemption 
only for them.
    Comment: Some commenters, including a business association, argued 
the reversal would disadvantage applicants with advanced degrees and

[[Page 913]]

higher skill-sets. Several commenters, including several companies and 
a business association, asserted the reversed selection order will not 
ensure the highest skilled workers are filling these jobs because not 
all occupation fields require an advanced degree. A few companies said 
this is particularly burdensome to OPT workers. A commenter asserted 
that the majority of the workforce for some occupations, especially 
computer science, only hold a bachelor's degree, and suggested allowing 
flexibility to petition for the candidate with the education needed for 
their workforce (e.g., bachelor's only, master's, etc.). One company 
recommended the rule provide a more advanced analysis on how the 
proposed change will impact the aggregate mix of talent and skills that 
will be available to meet the nation's workforce needs.
    Response: DHS is not restricting a petitioner's flexibility to 
petition for the candidate with the education needed for their 
workforce through this rule. DHS believes that changing the order in 
which USCIS counts these prospective beneficiaries toward the 
applicable cap projections will likely increase the probability for 
beneficiaries with a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution 
of higher education to be selected each fiscal year, and in turn, 
increase the number of individuals with a master's or higher degree 
from a U.S. institution of higher education who are issued H-1B visas 
or otherwise provided H-1B status.\9\ Thus, DHS is not imposing any 
additional restrictions on petitioners through this rule, but reversing 
the order in which cap-subject petitions are selected under the caps. 
DHS further notes that eligibility for the advanced degree exemption, 
and thus an increased chance for selection under this final rule, is 
not based on the education requirements for the position in which the 
beneficiary will be employed. Rather, eligibility for the advanced 
degree exemption is based on whether the beneficiary has earned a 
master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education. 
Thus, the fact that the employer doesn't require an advanced U.S. 
degree for the particular position does not preclude the employer from 
petitioning for a worker with an advanced U.S. degree for that position 
and improving the chance of selection for their petition. This, 
however, may result in that employer paying more for that worker, 
despite the worker not being any more valuable to the employer than the 
worker who does not qualify for the advanced degree exemption but who 
might have been selected under the current process and, if approved for 
the classification and granted status, ultimately employed in the 
position.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ For clarification, the selection of a number of 
registrations that USCIS projects would be sufficient to meet the 
regular cap and advanced degree exemption is distinct from the 
fulfillment of the cap or exemption through ``issu[ance] of visas or 
otherwise provid[ing H-1B] nonimmigrant status.'' See INA 
214(g)(1)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comment: Various commenters suggested that DHS consider other 
factors to prioritize cap allocation. An individual commenter stated 
that the reverse selection order does not make the system merit-based 
and that other advanced skills should be considered beyond a degree. 
Some commenters suggested that DHS also evaluate what type of job the 
H-1B worker will be performing; prioritize technical and skilled 
positions, and wage levels, give preference or equal opportunity to 
small companies or companies that are not H-1B dependent employers, 
increase the cap limit for advanced degree holders, create a different 
model of selection for non-advanced degree holders based on merit, 
prioritize selection of petitions for H-1B beneficiaries with STEM 
degrees, prioritize selection of petitions for H-1B beneficiaries who 
will not be performing work at a third-party worksite, and implement a 
quota by region, similar to that used in the immigrant visa context, 
such that talented people from countries with high literacy rates 
(European continent, and some parts of the Asian continent, according 
to the commenter) can have a higher chance of being selected. A few 
commenters offered a suggestion to place more emphasis on educational 
background and salary in the cap selection. Several professional 
associations argued there should be special consideration given to 
applicants who are healthcare providers, especially physicians, 
occupational and physical therapists, which require more advanced 
schooling and licensing. Other commenters, including a company and a 
business association, stated USCIS should assess an applicant's skill 
based on other factors beyond U.S. advanced degree, such as foreign 
graduate degree equivalent, degree field of study, years of experience, 
and salary. One commenter suggested priority should be given to U.S. 
advanced degrees, then U.S. bachelors, then foreign advanced degrees.
    Response: DHS believes that reversing the cap selection order to 
prioritize beneficiaries with a master's or higher degree from a U.S. 
institution of higher education is a permissible interpretation of the 
existing statute, as explained in detail in response to other comments 
in this preamble. DHS believes, however, that prioritization of 
selection on other bases such as those suggested by the commenters 
would require statutory changes. DHS believes that implementing a quota 
would be inconsistent with the existing statute, as Congress has 
implemented quotas in other contexts when it has intended to do so, and 
the absence of a quota as it pertains to H-1B petitions is an 
indication that implementing such a limitation by regulation would be 
inconsistent with congressional intent.
    Comment: A few commenters suggested the cap amount be increased, 
with one commenter elaborating that only applicants with U.S. degrees 
should be considered for H-1B eligibility. Another commenter suggested 
increasing the quota for candidate with a U.S. degree. Another 
commenter stated that applicants with U.S. advanced degrees should not 
be subject to a quota at all.
    Response: DHS is not able to increase the H-1B cap allocations, as 
the cap allocations are statutory and set by Congress. DHS does not 
have the statutory authority to only accept petitions for those 
beneficiaries with U.S. degrees. In addition, DHS is not considering 
placing additional restrictions on the H-1B degree requirement, to the 
extent it may do so through regulation, in this rule. Similarly, DHS 
cannot exempt all U.S. advanced degrees holders from the numerical 
limitations, as this would be in violation of current statutory 
authority at INA 214(g)(5)(C).
    Comment: One commenter said that the registration process may lead 
to a higher number of submissions than under the current petition 
process as multiple employers may submit registrations on behalf of the 
same individual, but that the number of submissions for advanced degree 
holders may not increase, and as a result the change in order of 
selection will not alter the likelihood an applicant with a U.S. 
master's or higher degree will get selected.
    Response: DHS disagrees with the commenter and believes changing 
the order in which registrations or petitions are selected will likely 
increase the total number of registrations or petitions selected toward 
the projected number needed to reach the regular cap allocation for H-
1B beneficiaries who have earned a master's or higher degree from a 
U.S. institution of higher education each fiscal year. The commenter 
did not provide any data or sources to indicate why the process would 
lead to a higher number of submissions for beneficiaries that do not

[[Page 914]]

qualify for the advanced degree exemption.Thus, as explained elsewhere, 
DHS believes that the use of a five-year historical average is 
reasonable and, based on that average, estimates an increase in the 
probability that an H-1B beneficiary who has earned a master's or 
higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education each fiscal 
year.
    Comment: One commenter said the change in order of selection will 
create a higher priority for U.S. Master's students and lower priority 
for foreign Ph.D. holders with years of experience.
    Response: As previously mentioned, the change in selection order 
will likely increase the odds of selection under the H-1B regular cap 
allocation for beneficiaries who have earned a master's or higher 
degree from a U.S. institution of higher education. DHS believes that 
Congress, by limiting the exemption to those beneficiaries who have 
earned a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher 
education, intended to prioritize the granting of H-1B status to 
foreign workers with advanced degrees from U.S. universities over other 
foreign workers (including those with Ph.D.s from foreign 
universities). This rule is only changing the probability of selection. 
While the commenter may be correct that the rule may result in more 
visas being granted to beneficiaries with a master's or higher degree 
from a U.S. institution of higher education and fewer foreign Ph.D. 
holders with years of experience, it is unclear which group has more 
value to the economy because so many factors need to be considered. For 
instance, how do foreign degrees compare in wages to U.S. degrees? In 
what industries are respective workers (certain industries could have 
high wages despite lower educational attainment)?
    Comment: One commenter said prioritizing U.S. Master's degrees 
encourages applicants to provide falsified resumes.
    Response: The commenter did not submit any data or evidence to 
support this assertion, and DHS does not believe that the change in the 
selection order will encourage petitioners to submit falsified resumes. 
A petitioner is not required to submit a beneficiary's resume in 
support of the H-1B petition, and even in cases where a resume is 
submitted, USCIS relies upon other objective evidence, such as copies 
of educational certificates and transcripts, experience letters, or 
evidence of licensure, to determine if the beneficiary is qualified for 
the H-1B classification. Any attempts to submit fraudulent evidence 
will be handled and reviewed under the current adjudication process and 
in coordination with the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security 
Directorate.
    Comment: One commenter stated that the change disadvantages 
students obtaining bachelor's degrees from U.S. institutions.
    Response: DHS acknowledges that those students with only bachelor's 
degrees from U.S. institutions may have a slightly decreased chance of 
securing an H-1B cap number based on this final rule, but that merely 
reflects the policy goal, based on the congressional exemption, of 
increasing the chances more students with advanced degrees from U.S. 
institutions secure H-1B visas.
    Comment: One commenter asserted that an advanced degree does not 
equate to a higher-skilled beneficiary, so USCIS should assess LCA wage 
levels (along with degree level) on the LCA in ranking selections 
(i.e., wage levels under 3 are indicative of cheap labor). The 
commenter states that failure to do so will result in advanced degree 
holders who do not have the skills to be hired by major companies and 
will be paid low prevailing wages as a result.
    Response: DHS is reversing the cap selection order to prioritize 
beneficiaries with a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution 
of higher education in accordance with congressional intent, as the 
numerically limited exemption from the cap for these beneficiaries was 
created by Congress and appears in the INA. DHS believes, however, that 
prioritization of selection on other factors, such as salary, would 
require statutory changes.
    Comment: One commenter states that USCIS should not accept 
petitions where the beneficiary's degree is from a ``for profit'' 
university.
    Response: Note that the advanced degree exemption only pertains to 
such degrees earned from a U.S. institution of higher education, as 
defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as 
amended. For-profit universities do not meet this statutory definition.
    Comment: One individual commenter argued the reverse selection 
order does not make the system merit-based and that other advanced 
skills should be considered beyond a degree.
    Response: DHS does not have the statutory authority to prioritize 
H-1B beneficiaries based on their skills. This final rule, however, 
will increase the odds of selection under the H-1B regular cap 
allocation for beneficiaries who have earned a master's or higher 
degree from a U.S. institution of higher education.
    Comment: A business association said reversing the selection order 
is inconsistent with Executive Order 13788, which directs USCIS to 
award more H-1B visas to the most skilled or the highest paid 
beneficiaries.
    Response: DHS disagrees with this assertion. Reversing the 
selection order will likely have the effect of increasing the total 
percentage of U.S. master's degree holders in the H-1B population. As 
discussed in further detail in the economic analysis, typically, 
individuals with a master's degree earn more in wages than individuals 
with a bachelor's degree. Additionally, workers with a master's degree 
in selected STEM occupations earn more than workers with a bachelor's 
degree in those same occupations.\10\ While the reversal of the 
selection order does not guarantee that the selected registrant will be 
the most skilled or highest paid beneficiary, it increases the 
probability that a beneficiary with a U.S. master's degree will be 
selected. And if a U.S. master's degree beneficiary typically earns 
more in wages, that beneficiary may earn a higher wage than a non-
selected beneficiary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor, 
``Measuring the Value of Education April 2018'': https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2018/data-on-display/education-pays.htm. 
Visited November, 2018. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of 
Labor, ``Should I Get a Master's Degree?'': https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/should-i-get-a-masters-degree.htm#STEM. 
Visited November, 2018.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comment: Several commenters stated work experience and an 
equivalent degree from a non-US institution should be considered in 
equal merit to a U.S. master's degree.
    Response: DHS cannot adopt this suggestion as it does not have 
statutory authority to prioritize work experience and advanced foreign 
degrees. Prioritizing the possible selection of beneficiaries holding a 
U.S. master's or equivalent degree is consistent with Congressional 
intent. See INA section 214(g)(5)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(5)(C).
    Comment: One commenter stated that USCIS should release data on 
previous years' selected H-1B applicants, including education level, so 
the public can assess the need for a new selection process and, if 
implemented, fairly evaluate its effectiveness.
    Response: It is not clear what data the commenter is requesting 
that USCIS release, and DHS notes that data was provided in the Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking. DHS also notes that additional data regarding 
H-1B petitions is available on the USCIS web page ``Buy American and 
Hire American: Putting American Workers

[[Page 915]]

First.'' \11\ USCIS will continue to provide information about the 
hiring practices of employers who petition for H-1B workers through 
this web page.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ https://www.uscis.gov/legal-resources/buy-american-hire-american-putting-american-workers-first.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comment: One commenter stated that USCIS data suggests an 
increasing number of individuals with U.S. advanced degrees are seeking 
cap-subject H-1Bs, so concerns that the advanced degree exception 
candidate pool is being diluted is unfounded.
    Response: Although data shows an increase in the number of H-1B 
beneficiaries with advanced degrees in recent years, this is not 
specific to individuals with U.S. advanced degrees. Also, even assuming 
beneficiaries with U.S. advanced degrees have increased in recent 
years, DHS still believes that prioritization for U.S. advanced degree 
holders is beneficial.

H. Other Issues Relating to the Rule

1. Request To Extend the Comment Period
    Comment: A few commenters, including some business associations, 
requested the comment period be extended by 60 days to give 
stakeholders an adequate amount of time to determine how the proposal 
could impact their businesses. Some commenters generally expressed 
concern that the comment period was insufficient to solicit meaningful 
feedback and fell over the holidays.
    Response: DHS believes that the 30-day comment period was 
sufficient and declines to extend the comment period. The rule is 
narrow in scope and 30 days was sufficient time for the public to 
determine the impacts of the proposed rule, if any, and to prepare and 
submit comments. The sufficiency of the 30-day comment period is 
demonstrated by the number of high quality comments received from the 
public, including individuals, attorneys, corporations and 
organizations. In addition, DHS notes that the proposed rule had been 
listed in the publicly available Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory 
and Deregulatory Actions since the Fall 2017 publication. Given the 
narrow scope of the rule, the quantity and quality of comments received 
in response to the proposed rule, and other publicly available 
information regarding the rule, DHS believes that the 30-day comment 
period has been sufficient.
2. Miscellaneous
    Comment: A form letter campaign stated that, given that a major 
goal of this NPRM is to allow USCIS to more efficiently process cap-
subject H-1B petitions, USCIS should be required to complete all 
adjudications of cap-subject H-1B petitions by September 30 of the 
given year, if visa numbers are used up before the fiscal year begins. 
The commenters concluded that if employers are required to go through 
an extra registration procedure for the convenience of USCIS, the 
agency must commit to reasonable processing times for all cap-subject 
petitions. An individual commenter similarly stated that USCIS should 
make the adjudication process faster. An advocacy group supported the 
decision to digitize the H-1B process, and argued that the funding 
saved by not having to process thousands of ultimately unsuccessful 
filings could be redirected towards streamlining the adjudication 
process. An individual commenter stated that USCIS should commit to 
reasonable processing times for cap-subject petitions if it was going 
to require employers to go through an extra registration. A business 
association stated that employers are concerned about USCIS' ability to 
adjudicate applications by October 1. A company recommended that USCIS 
commit to adjudicating all H-1B cap petitions before the beginning of 
the government's fiscal year. An individual commenter asked if the time 
period after the H-1B registration is selected, and before the petition 
is filed, would be long enough for DOL to process a flood of LCAs. A 
trade association said USCIS should delay the implementation of the 
proposed regulation until premium processing is fully reinstated and 
the agency can guarantee the timely adjudication of all H-1B visa 
petitions in a given fiscal year.
    Response: USCIS cannot commit by regulation to adjudicating all 
cases by September 30, as USCIS must first and foremost be committed to 
making a proper adjudication under the law and regulations. That said, 
the registration system is being implemented to foster greater 
efficiency in the adjudication process and to avoid, to the extent 
possible, adjudicatory backlogs. USCIS will continue to review the 
adjudicatory process and make additional improvements as necessary both 
within and without the rulemaking process. In addition, USCIS is 
committed to fully transitioning to a digital environment for 
processing of immigration benefit requests.\12\ As such transition is 
made, USCIS expects further efficiencies to be realized in the 
adjudication process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ Please see Regulation Identification Number (RIN) 1615-
AC20, ``Electronic Processing of Immigration Benefit Requests,'' in 
the Fall 2018 Unified Regulatory Agenda at reginfo.gov.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Public Comments on Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

1. Costs of the Registration Requirement
    Comment: Multiple commenters, including multiple business 
associations, SBA Office of Advocacy, a company, a law firm, and a form 
letter campaign, requested that the registration requirement not be 
implemented for the FY 2020 H-1B cap season. These commenters explained 
that preparation to file an H-1B cap-petition requires extensive 
resource commitments around the collection and analysis of required 
materials, and that they have already expended resources to petition 
under the current process and will not experience any of the estimated 
cost savings if registration is required for the FY 2020 H-1B cap. 
Similarly, multiple immigration lawyers associated with a form letter 
campaign wrote that their firms had already incurred opportunity costs 
associated with the preparation of petitions for the FY 2020 H-1B cap. 
One company argued the proposed rule's costs do not consider resources 
committed towards petitions not selected in the lottery. One business 
stated uncertainty related to potential issues with timing and 
implementation will lead to increased costs, with employers assuming 
the new process may not be operational for the upcoming fiscal year. 
Similarly, a company argued the potential risk for issues related to 
implementation and operation of the registration system could outweigh 
the estimated cost savings. A professional association stated USCIS's 
option to reserve the right to delay implementation of the proposed 
changes would result in significant costs for employers and USCIS. SBA 
Office of Advocacy highlighted uncertainty around whether FY2020 or 
FY2021 will be the first ``cap season'' affected by the new process as 
a significant disruption impacting employer costs. One individual 
commenter and a law firm suggested the proposed rule adds another layer 
of bureaucracy to the process for users, and predicted USCIS will spend 
even more time administering the registration process.
    Response: DHS appreciates the concerns raised by these commenters. 
As already described in the preamble of this final rule, USCIS will be 
suspending the registration requirement for the FY 2020 H-1B cap 
season. Therefore, DHS does not anticipate that employers would have 
expended resources to comply with the current H-

[[Page 916]]

1B petition process unnecessarily. DHS will publish a notice in the 
Federal Register to announce the initial implementation of the 
registration process in advance of the H-1B cap season in which the 
registration process will be first implemented. DHS reiterates that the 
cost savings from the registration requirement will be realized after 
the provision becomes effective, which will occur after the FY 2020 H-
1B cap season.
    DHS disagrees with the commenter that the rule would impose costs 
from resources committed towards petitions not selected in the lottery. 
In the discussion of Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 of both the NPRM 
and this final rule, DHS recognizes that unselected petitions would 
still have to submit a registration. However, DHS further analyzes the 
cost-savings that would accrue to unselected petitioners by no longer 
having to fill out the lengthy Form I-129 H-1B petition in its 
entirety. By considering the cost-savings to the unselected 
petitioners, DHS also took into consideration both current costs and 
those imposed as a result of this rulemaking. Any costs expended by 
entities to consider eligibility for beneficiaries would be expended in 
either the current or new process.
    DHS disagrees that the risk issues related to implementation and 
operation of the registration system could outweigh the estimated cost 
savings. DHS plans to implement and test the system before it is 
released. DHS also disagrees that delaying implementation of the 
proposed changes would result in significant costs for employers and 
USCIS. A later effective date for the registration requirement would 
allow more time for entities to get acquainted with and prepared to 
file a registration rather than the full Form I-129 H-1B petition.
    Additionally, DHS disagrees with the commenters that this 
rulemaking will increase the administrative burdens for USCIS. DHS 
believes that this rulemaking will reduce the administrative burden 
that USCIS currently spends on the processing of H-1B petitions as 
described further in the Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 and further 
in this comment section.
    Comment: A commenter stated that the costs to the government 
associated with handling and shipping of unselected petitions could be 
reduced by shredding those petitions rather than returning them.
    Response: DHS disagrees with the commenter's assertion that 
shredding unselected petitions would reduce costs to the government. 
Even assuming arguendo that the government would save some costs by 
shredding rather than returning unselected petitions, DHS declines to 
adopt that alternative as it would still be less efficient and more 
burdensome than the registration requirement. Shredding the petitions 
would just address how to handle the hundreds of thousands of petitions 
at the end of the cap-selection process, but would not address the 
costs and inefficiencies associated with the receipt and processing of 
the petitions in order to administer the cap selection process. 
Further, if USCIS shredded unselected petitions, in addition to 
incurring the costs associated with shredding, USCIS would still incur 
additional costs necessary to notify unselected petitioners of the 
rejections (e.g. printing and mailing rejection notices). Petitioners 
would also still incur the costs associated with preparing and 
submitting the petitions, and the shredding of unselected petitions 
would not provide any cost savings for unselected petitioners. As 
discussed elsewhere, DHS believes that the registration system will 
benefit the government by no longer having to receive, handle and 
return large numbers of petitions that are currently rejected because 
of excess demand (unselected petitions), except in those instances when 
the registration requirement is suspended.
2. Benefits of the Registration Requirement
    Comment: Several commenters expressed support for this rulemaking, 
particularly in terms of time and cost savings. These commenters stated 
that the registration process will save USCIS in postage costs by no 
longer having to return unselected petitions. Some commenters asserted 
that the decreased burden on USCIS will enable USCIS to adjudicate 
cases in a more timely manner. Multiple individual commenters, a law 
firm, and an advocacy group argued that petitioners would realize 
significant benefits related to a reduction in time spent preparing 
petitions, while USCIS would significantly reduce administrative costs. 
Multiple commenters agreed that the registration process would reduce 
the cost and burden of participation and also alleviate administrative 
burdens on users. One commenter also approved of the expected cost 
savings and praised the decision by USCIS to forgo any registration 
application fee at this time.
    Response: DHS agrees with the commenters that the registration 
process will reduce overall costs for petitioners and help to alleviate 
administrative burdens on USCIS Service Centers that process H-1B 
petitions. In this final rule, DHS estimates a cost savings will occur 
because unselected petitioners will avoid having to file an entire H-1B 
cap petition and, when registration is required, will instead only have 
to submit a registration. Therefore, the difference between current 
costs and the new costs for unselected petitioners when registration is 
required will represent a cost savings ranging from $47.3 million to 
$75.5 million, again depending on who petitioners use to submit the 
registration. The government will also benefit from the registration 
requirement and process by no longer having to receive, handle and 
return large numbers of petitions that are currently rejected because 
of excess demand (unselected petitions), except in those instances when 
the registration requirement is suspended. These activities will save 
DHS an estimated $1.6 million annually when registration is required. 
DHS also agrees with the commenters that the government will save on 
postage costs by no longer having to mail unselected petitions back to 
petitioners, when registration is required, and accounts for such cost-
savings in the Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 analysis.
3. Labor Market Impacts on the Reversal of Selection Order
    Comment: Commenters argued that this regulation will have a more 
serious impact on certain industries where job training is performed in 
the United States, or foreign education is an asset, such as medicine 
and language education. One commenter states that employers already 
have a shortage of workers at all levels. They went on to state that 
schools with language-immersion programs have been forced to look 
outside the United States multiple times for native speakers with 
education degrees but that the teachers found did not have advanced 
degrees. This commenter wrote that the proposed changes will negatively 
impact these schools in their goal of producing globalized adults. 
Another commenter stated that the chance of a registration or petition 
for a non-U.S. advanced degree beneficiary to be selected will fall by 
about 5 percent for years with approximately 172,000 total initial 
registrations or petitions. The commenter stated that this percentage 
decrease is significant and that employers rely on non-U.S. advanced 
degree holders, including those who are trained in the United States, 
particularly in medicine. A medical association also argued the changed 
order for selecting registrations would make it more difficult for non-
U.S. citizen international medical graduates and

[[Page 917]]

those completing their education under a graduate medical examination 
(GME) to obtain an H-1B visa. The commenters said this would exacerbate 
physician workforce shortages throughout the U.S. and reduce access to 
care in underserved communities. One individual commenter argued the 
rule does not go far enough in favoring healthcare workers who would 
have the most immediate impact in addressing labor shortages throughout 
the country. Additionally, a trade association suggested the 
prioritization of those with master's degrees would exacerbate ongoing 
talent gaps and make it difficult for companies to effectively hire 
talent. Similarly, multiple trade associations argued that many highly 
skilled jobs in STEM fields do not necessarily require an advanced 
degree. As a result, the reversed order of selection in the proposed 
rule will disadvantage such applicants and negatively impact the 
workforce.
    Response: DHS appreciates the commenters' concerns of the impact 
this rule will have on beneficiaries under certain industries. DHS 
agrees there may be a probability for a decline in the number of 
petitions for beneficiaries who do not have a master's or higher degree 
from a U.S. institution of higher education or that have a master's or 
higher degree from a foreign institution. However, DHS believes that 
reversing the selection process more closely aligns with the intent of 
Executive Order 13788. DHS used historical submissions to base its 
economic impact and estimates a 3 percent decline to those 
beneficiaries with only a bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution of 
higher education or a master's or higher degree from a foreign 
institution. The commenter did not provide further sources or show how 
it concluded that there would be a 5 percent decrease in non-U.S. 
advanced degree beneficiaries. The commenter asserting that employers 
have a shortage of workers at all levels also does not provide any 
sources. DHS reiterates that this rulemaking does not add new workers 
into the labor market, though it might shift from one pool of H-1B 
workers to another. Therefore, any hypothesized shortage of workers 
will not be alleviated by this final rule. Additionally, because the 
selection process typically involves a random lottery and there is 
substantial year-to-year variation in the composition of the pool of 
recipients of H-1B visas, DHS cannot reliably estimate how changing the 
order of selection may impact specific industries, such as those in 
medicine or education. Finally, DHS recognizes that there may be many 
industries, STEM included, in which a master's degree from a U.S. 
higher educational institution may not be required. However, DHS still 
believes that reversing the selection order best aligns with the 
Executive Order 13788 and congressional intent.
    Comment: The rule received support from a trade association that 
argued an increase in master's students would allow its member 
companies to better meet their workforce needs. Similarly, a company 
argued an increase in master's students based on the reversed selection 
order of H-1B submissions would allow it to retain top talent and 
increase American competitiveness. An individual commenter and advocacy 
group suggested the proposed rule would increase the number of high 
skilled foreign-born workers and wages throughout the country. However, 
an advocacy group suggested USCIS work with the Department of Labor to 
further analyze the potential wage impact of the proposed rule.
    Response: DHS appreciates the commenters' support and agrees that 
there is a probability for an increased number of selected 
beneficiaries who will have a master's or higher degree from a U.S. 
institution of higher education that may be selected under this new 
selection process. DHS agrees that the reversal of the selection 
process could help employers meet their workforce needs and help retain 
talent. DHS reiterates that it is changing the pool of workers to 
increase the probability of selecting H-1B beneficiaries with a 
master's degree from a U.S. institution. DHS also recognizes that there 
are potential wage increases for those that earn a master's degree 
compared to those with only a bachelor's degree. These comments are 
also in agreement with DHS' efforts to meet E.O. 13778 to help ensure 
that H-1B visas are awarded to the most-skilled or highest-paid 
petition beneficiaries.
4. Other Costs and Benefits of the Reversal of Selection Order
    Comment: A commenter argued that the five-year average used by DHS 
to estimate the increased likelihood of selection of an H-1B cap 
subject petition with a master's degree or higher from a U.S. 
institution is incorrect. The commenter states that petitions for the 
advanced degree category increased over the past five years and will 
not decrease in any future year.
    Response: DHS methodology uses a five-year historical average in 
its estimates of the impacted advanced degree exemption population 
because various factors outside of this rulemaking could result in 
either a decline or continued rise of petitions received. Therefore, 
DHS believes it is reasonable to use an average rather than forecast 
the number of master's beneficiaries in the future. Additionally, the 
commenter does not provide any data or data sources that are clear and 
verifiable, and therefore DHS is unable to comment on its validity. The 
commenter summarizes that the use of the five-year average for the 
reversal of the selection process does not comply with the Executive 
Order to hire the most-skilled or highest-paid petition beneficiaries. 
DHS clarifies that our analysis states that the probability of this 
increase could result in greater numbers of workers with advanced 
degrees from U.S. institutions of higher education entering the U.S. 
workforce under the H-1B program.
    Comment: A commenter stated that the change will have the potential 
for unintended consequences that could occur if the proposed rule is 
enacted, as a change to one aspect of the higher education ecosystem 
rarely occurs in isolation. The commenter questioned how the proposal 
may impact the pool of individuals who have less than a master's degree 
as well as graduate degree holders from foreign higher education 
institutions.
    Response: DHS believes that this final rule is likely to increase 
the probability that H-1B workers with a master's degree or higher from 
a U.S. institution of higher education would get selected during the 
new process in this final rule. DHS provides an explanation of this 
probability in the Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 sections of this 
final rule.
    Comment: A commenter also questioned how the proposal would impact 
U.S. institutions who employ graduate degree holders from foreign 
institutions, many of whom currently serve as faculty or researchers on 
U.S. campuses.
    Response: DHS believes that the commenter is referring to work 
performed by faculty or researchers at U.S. institutions of higher 
education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 
1965, as amended). USCIS does not believe the final rule will impact 
foreign graduate degree holders that are employed at an U.S. 
institution of higher education since those petitioners are exempt from 
the H-1B cap under INA Section 214(g)(5)(A). Because such institutions 
are cap-exempt, they would not have to register before filing an H-1B 
petition to employ a specialty occupation worker at the U.S. 
institution of higher education.
    Comment: A commenter stated that the change should be delayed until

[[Page 918]]

proper research is done to understand the potential economic impact.
    Response: DHS appreciates the commenter's concerns of the rule on 
the economy. However, DHS reiterates that it has considered the impact 
to the economy in both the NPRM and in the Executive Orders 12866 and 
13563 sections of this final rule.

J. Public Comments and Responses to Paperwork Reduction Act

    Comment: An attorney suggested that the estimated 5 to 7 hours to 
complete an H-1B petition is inaccurate, and the actual time 
requirement is double that figure. Another attorney suggested that in 
order to register only those individuals who would conceivably qualify 
for H-1B status, an initial preliminary analysis would need to be 
conducted by an attorney and that the work required for this results in 
a gross understatement of the paperwork burden.
    Response: USCIS has published multiple information collection 
notices in the Federal Register as recently as 2016-2018 and received 
no comments on the estimated time burden per response for USCIS Form I-
129. The current Form I-129 instructions indicate the breakdown of the 
time burden estimate that respondents for the H-1B process would spend 
on the submission of the form. Also, USCIS is not making any changes to 
the form or instructions that would require an adjustment to the 
estimated time burden per response. Based on USCIS review and analysis 
there is no change required to the estimated time burden per response 
for Form I-129, OMB Control Number 1615-0009. In response to the 
comment regarding analysis that an employer may choose to conduct to 
preliminarily determine whether the beneficiary may qualify for H-1B 
classification, USCIS has analyzed the work required to submit the 
limited amount of information collected for an H-1B registration 
through the H-1B registration tool and maintains that the estimated 
time burden per response reported for this information collection 
accurately reflects the process as presented. At this time, USCIS is 
retaining the current estimated time burden per response.
    This rule did not propose changes to the time burden estimate for 
completing an H-1B petition, which is covered under the Form I-129 
information collection, only to the estimated number of respondents to 
reflect an estimated smaller number of respondents in years in which 
the registration process will be in place. USCIS notes that the time 
burden estimate for the Form I-129 is an estimate based on the average 
amount of time it would take to complete the form. The instruments 
currently approved under the I-129 information collection that are 
relevant to this proposed rule, and their estimated time burdens, are: 
2.34 hours for Form I-129, 2 hours for the H Classification Supplement, 
and 1 hour for the H-1B and H-1B1 Data Collection and Filing Fee 
Exemption Supplement. USCIS did not receive public comments on these 
time burden estimates during either.

K. Out of Scope

    DHS received many comments that were unrelated to the proposed 
revisions regarding the electronic registration system and the cap 
selection process. Many of these comments would require Congressional 
action or additional regulatory action by DHS. Although DHS has 
summarized the comments it received below, DHS is not providing 
substantive responses to those comments as they are beyond the scope of 
this rulemaking. To the extent that comments are seeking further 
revisions to the H-1B program, DHS recognizes that additional 
regulatory changes could improve the H-1B program and intends to 
propose a separate rule to strengthen the H-1B visa classification. As 
stated in the Unified Agenda, DHS will propose to revise the definition 
of specialty occupation to increase focus on obtaining the best and the 
brightest foreign nationals via the H-1B program, and revise the 
definition of employment and employer-employee relationship to better 
protect U.S. workers and wages. In addition, DHS will propose 
additional requirements designed to ensure employers pay appropriate 
wages to H-1B nonimmigrant workers.
    Comments from the public outside the scope of this rulemaking 
concerned the following issues:
    <bullet> Some commenters said that Congress should take further 
action to reform immigration law in a manner that addresses the ``core 
structural problems'' within the current immigration system. Some 
suggested USCIS explore reforms similar to the H-1B reform bills in 
congress that incentivize employers to hire skilled graduates and offer 
competitive wages.
    <bullet> Commenters relayed concerns about the difficulty of hiring 
H-1B workers and the need for comprehensive immigration reform in order 
to acquire and retain top talent and fulfill business needs that are 
being unmet because there are not sufficient U.S. workers to meet their 
demands. Commenters suggested that the H-1B program helps U.S. 
companies and had a positive impact on wages for college graduates 
natives and non-college graduate natives.
    <bullet> While some commenters acknowledge the need for this rule, 
they argued that more H-1B reform was necessary to ensure that U.S. 
workers were being protected and the H-1B visas were only being given 
to those beneficiaries who are the most skilled and the highest paid 
workers. They suggested that reform was necessary to prevent fraud and 
abuse in the H-1B system.
    <bullet> Some commenters suggested priority should be given to 
petitioners who seek to hire guest-workers at the highest possible 
salary, and that DHS should raise the salary minimum for individuals to 
ensure the H-1B program isn't abused by overseas companies that 
underpay their employees.
    <bullet> Some commenters made suggestions to improve other 
immigration programs, such as suggesting DHS make the F-1 visa dual 
intent, and that DHS review EB-1 and L-1/L-2 visa programs.
    <bullet> One commenter suggested DHS streamline the review and the 
renewal of H-1B extension petitions and put forth additional proposals 
that support the goal to streamline the process of the H-1B program. 
Some commenters said Congress should raise the H-1B cap and make it 
responsive to market demands, particularly in the tech and start-up 
sector. One commenter said Congress should create an additional 
specialty occupation visa specifically for individuals working in IT 
fields.
    Response: DHS appreciates these suggestions, however, DHS did not 
propose to address these issues in the proposed rule, therefore these 
suggestions fall outside of the scope of this rulemaking.
    As discussed previously, with the exception of changes discussed in 
this final rule, DHS is finalizing this rule as proposed.

IV. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

A. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Orders (E.O.) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess 
the costs, benefits, and transfers of available alternatives, and if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 
13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, 
of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. 
The Office of Information

[[Page 919]]

and Regulatory Affairs has determined that this rule constitutes an 
``economically significant'' regulatory action under section 3(f) of 
E.O. 12866. Accordingly, the rule has been reviewed by the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs.
1. Summary
    DHS is amending its regulations governing the process for filing H-
1B cap petitions. Specifically, DHS is adding a registration 
requirement for petitioners seeking to file H-1B cap subject petitions 
on behalf of foreign workers. DHS will be suspending the registration 
requirement for the FY2020 H-1B cap in order to further test the 
system. DHS anticipates the registration requirement will be 
implemented starting with the FY 2021 H-1B cap. Additionally, DHS is 
changing the order in which H-1B cap-subject petitions will be selected 
towards the applicable projections needed to meet the annual H-1B 
allocations in order to increase the odds for selection for H-1B 
beneficiaries who have earned a master's or higher degree from a U.S. 
institution of higher education.
    All petitioners seeking to file an H-1B cap-subject petition will 
have to submit a registration, unless the registration requirement is 
suspended by USCIS consistent with this final rule. However, under the 
final registration process, when applicable, only those whose 
registrations are selected (termed ``selected registrant'' \13\ for 
purposes of this analysis) will be eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject 
petition for those selected registrations and during the associated 
filing period. Therefore as selected registrants under the registration 
requirement, selected petitioners will incur additional opportunity 
costs of time to complete the electronic registration relative to the 
costs of completing and filing the associated H-1B petition, the latter 
costs being unchanged from the current H-1B petitioning process. 
Conversely, those who complete registrations that are unselected 
because of excess demand (termed ``unselected registrant'' for purposes 
of this analysis) will experience cost savings relative to the current 
process, as they will no longer have to complete an entire H-1B cap-
subject petition that ultimately does not get selected for USCIS 
processing and adjudication as done by current unselected petitioners.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ DHS notes that entities may submit multiple registrations 
which could result in a mix of selected and unselected outcomes. For 
the purpose of this analysis, the terms ``selected registrant'' and 
``unselected registrant'' refer to the originator of a submission 
based on its outcome and should not be deemed a unilateral label for 
a single entity. Using this terminology it is possible for a single 
entity to experience impacts simultaneously as a selected registrant 
and as an unselected registrant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To estimate the costs of the registration requirement, when it is 
applicable, DHS compared the current costs associated with the H-1B 
petition process to the costs imposed by the additional registration 
requirement. DHS compared costs specifically for selected and 
unselected petitioners because the impact of the registration 
requirement to each population is not the same. Current costs to 
selected petitioners are the sum of filing fees associated with each H-
1B cap-subject petition and the opportunity cost of time to complete 
all associated forms. Current costs to unselected petitioners are only 
the opportunity cost of time to complete forms and cost to mail the 
petition since USCIS returns the H-1B cap-subject petition and filing 
fees to unselected petitioners.
    The opportunity cost of time associated with registration, when it 
is required, will be a cost to all petitioners (selected and 
unselected), but those whose registrations are not selected will be 
relieved from the opportunity cost associated with completing and 
mailing an entire H-1B cap-subject petition. Therefore, DHS estimates 
final costs of this rule to selected petitioners for completing an H-1B 
cap-subject petition as the sum of the registration costs and current 
costs. DHS estimates that the costs of this final rule to unselected 
petitioners will only result from the estimated opportunity costs 
associated with the registration requirement, when applicable. Overall, 
unselected petitioners will experience a cost savings relative to the 
current H-1B cap-subject petitioning process; DHS estimates these cost 
savings by subtracting new registration costs from current costs of 
preparing an H-1B cap-subject petition. These estimated quantitative 
cost savings will be a benefit that will accrue to only those with 
registrations that were not selected.
    Currently, for selected petitioners the aggregate total costs to 
complete H-1B cap-subject petitions ranges from $132.9 million to 
$165.5 million, depending on who petitioners use to prepare petitions. 
These current costs to complete and file H-1B cap-subject petitions are 
based on a 5 year petition volume average and may differ across sets of 
fiscal years. Current costs are not changing for selected petitioners 
as a result of this registration requirement. Rather, this registration 
requirement will add a new opportunity cost of time to selected 
petitioners who will continue to face current H-1B cap-subject petition 
costs. DHS estimates the added aggregate opportunity cost of time to 
all selected petitioners under this registration requirement would 
range from $6.2 million to $10.3 million, again depending on who 
petitioners use to submit registrations and prepare petitions. 
Therefore, under the registration requirement, DHS estimates an 
adjusted total cost to complete H-1B cap-subject petitions will range 
from $134.7 million to $171.4 million. Since these petitioners already 
file Form I-129, only the registration costs of $6.2 million to $10.3 
million are considered as new costs. Again, it is important to note 
that USCIS will be suspending the registration requirement for the FY 
2020 cap season. DHS anticipates the impacts of the registration 
requirement will be realized when registration is required.
    Unselected petitioners will experience an overall cost savings, 
despite new opportunity costs of time associated with the registration 
requirement. Currently for unselected petitioners, the total cost 
associated with the H-1B process is $53.5 million to $85.6 million, 
depending on who petitioners use to prepare the petition. The 
difference between total current costs for selected and unselected 
petitioners in an annual filing period consists of fees returned to 
unselected petitioners. DHS estimates the total costs to unselected 
petitioners from the registration requirement will range from $6.2 
million to $10.1 million. DHS estimates a cost savings occurs because 
under the requirement unselected petitioners will avoid having to file 
entire H-1B cap-subject petitions and will have only had to submit 
registrations. Therefore, the difference between current costs and the 
new costs for unselected petitioners will represent a cost savings 
ranging from $47.3 million to $75.5 million, again depending on who 
petitioners use to submit the registration, when the registration is 
required.
    The government will also benefit from the registration provision by 
no longer having to receive, handle and return large numbers of 
petitions that are currently rejected because of excess demand 
(unselected petitions). These activities will save DHS an estimated 
$1.6 million annually.\14\ USCIS will, however, have to expend a total 
of $1,522,000 in the initial development of the registration website. 
This cost to the government is considered a one-time cost. DHS 
recognizes that there could be some additional unforeseen

[[Page 920]]

development and maintenance costs or costs from refining the 
registration system in the future. However, DHS cannot predict what 
these costs would be at this time. Currently there are no additional 
costs for annual maintenance of the servers because the registration 
system will be run on existing servers. Since these costs are already 
incurred regardless of this rulemaking, DHS did not calculate 
additional costs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ Although DHS does not estimate the impact of the proposed 
registration provision to DOL processes, DHS recognizes DOL may have 
some cost savings due to fewer LCA submissions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The net quantitative impact of the new registration step, when it 
is required, is an aggregate cost savings to petitioners and to 
government ranging from $43.4 million to $62.7 million annually. Using 
lower bound figures, the net quantitative impact of this registration 
requirement is cost savings of $434.2 million over ten years. 
Discounted over ten years, these cost savings will be $381.2 million 
based on a discount rate of 3 percent and $325.7 million based on a 
discount rate of 7 percent. Using upper bound figures, the net 
quantitative impact of this registration requirement is cost savings of 
$626.8 million over ten years. Discounted over ten years, these cost 
savings will be $550.5 million based on a discount rate of 3 percent 
and $470.6 million based on a discount rate of 7 percent.
    DHS notes that these overall cost savings result only in years when 
the demand for registrations and the subsequently filed petitions 
exceeds the number of available visas needed to meet the regular cap 
and advanced degree exemption allocation. For years where DHS has 
demand that is less than the number of available visas, this 
registration requirement will result in costs. For this final rule to 
result in net quantitative cost savings, at least 110,182 petitions 
(registrations and subsequently filed petitions under the final rule) 
will need to be received by USCIS based on lower bound cost estimates. 
For upper bound cost estimates, USCIS will need to receive at least 
111,137 registrations and subsequently filed petitions for this rule to 
result in net quantitative cost savings.
    The change to the petition selection process is likely to increase 
the probability that H-1B beneficiaries with a master's degree or 
higher from a U.S. institution of higher education will be selected. As 
a result, the probability of selecting H-1B beneficiaries with a 
master's degree or higher from a U.S. institution of higher education 
will increase by an estimated 16 percent (or 5,340 workers each year). 
This could result in greater numbers of highly educated workers with 
degrees from U.S. institutions of higher education entering the U.S. 
workforce under the H-1B program. If there is an increase in the number 
of H-1B beneficiaries with a master's degree or higher from a U.S. 
institution of higher education, wage transfers may occur. These 
transfers would be borne by companies whose petitions, filed for 
beneficiaries who are not eligible for the advanced degree exemption 
(e.g. holders of bachelor's degrees and holders of advanced degrees 
from foreign institutions of higher education), might have been 
selected and ultimately approved but for the reversal of the selection 
order. DHS recognizes there could be a wage differential across 
industries, but due to the variance in the composition of the 
beneficiaries subject to the cap and their associated differences in 
educational level, whether any advanced degrees are from U.S. or 
foreign institutions of higher education, and the location of the 
ultimate job opportunity, DHS cannot reliably estimate the impact on 
wages under this final rule. Under an assumption that the change to the 
petition selection process resulted in 5,000 workers with an average 
fully loaded wage of at least $20,000 transferring from one market or 
industry to the other, then the rule will meet the $100 million 
threshold for economic significance.

[[Page 921]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.003


[[Page 922]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.004


[[Page 923]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.005

    As discussed previously in the preamble, this rule will also allow 
for the H-1B regular cap and advanced degree exemption selections to 
take place in the event that the registration system is inoperable for 
any reason and needs to be suspended. If temporary suspension of the 
registration system is necessary, then the cost and benefits described 
in this analysis resulting from registration for the petitioners and 
government will not apply during any period of temporary suspension. 
However, this selection reversal process will still take place and is 
anticipated to yield a higher proportion of H-1B beneficiaries with a 
master's degree or higher from a U.S. institution of higher education 
being selected.
2. Background and Purpose of the Final Rule
    The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ 
foreign workers in occupations that require the theoretical and 
practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and a 
bachelor's degree or higher in the specific specialty or its 
equivalent. As the preamble explains, Congress limits the number of H-
1B visas to 65,000 new visas annually (``regular cap''), with certain 
exemptions including a limited exemption for beneficiaries who have 
earned a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher 
education.\15\ The annual exemption from the 65,000 cap for H-1B 
beneficiaries who have earned a qualifying U.S. master's or higher 
degree is limited to 20,000 beneficiaries (``advanced degree 
exemption'').\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ See INA section 214(g)(1) and (g)(5), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1) 
and (g)(5).
    \16\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Currently, when an employer wants to hire an H-1B worker who is 
subject to the regular cap or advanced degree exemption, the petitioner 
must first obtain a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) from 
the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and then complete and file a 
Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-129) with USCIS during the 
H-1B cap filing period. The first day on which petitioners may file H-
1B petitions can be as early as 6 months ahead of the projected 
employment start date.\17\ For example, a U.S. employer seeking an H-1B 
beneficiary for a job beginning October 1 (the first day of the next 
fiscal year) can file an H-1B petition no earlier than April 1 of the 
current fiscal year. Thus, an H-1B employer requesting a beneficiary 
for the first day of Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, October 1, 2019, would be 
allowed to file an H-1B petition as early as April 1, 2019. Therefore, 
the cap filing period begins on or shortly after April 1 each year and 
generally ends when USCIS has received enough petitions projected as 
needed to fill the H-1B numerical limitations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(9)(i)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Each year USCIS monitors the number of H-1B cap-subject petitions 
it receives at its Service Centers. When USCIS determines that it has 
received a sufficient number of petitions projected as needed to reach 
the H-1B allocations, it announces on its website the final receipt 
date on which petitioners may file an H-1B cap-subject petition for 
that fiscal year.\18\ USCIS then may randomly select from the cap-
subject petitions received on the final receipt date the number of 
petitions projected as needed to reach the H-1B allocations. If the 
final receipt date falls on any of the first five business days on 
which cap petitions may be filed, USCIS randomly selects the requisite 
number of petitions from among all petitions received on any of those 
five business days.\19\ USCIS rejects all H-1B cap-subject petitions 
received after the final receipt date.\20\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(ii)(B).
    \19\ Id.
    \20\ See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(ii)(D).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Each year, to administer the H-1B cap and advanced degree 
exemption, USCIS expends resources towards opening and sorting mail, 
identifying properly filed

[[Page 924]]

petitions, and removing duplicate petitions before proceeding with the 
petition selection process. In years of high petition volume, these 
duties present operational challenges for USCIS, including greater 
labor needs and limited space at Service Centers where petitions are 
stored, sorted, and selected.
    Once the petitions have been sorted and assigned a case 
identification number, if USCIS determines that a lottery should be 
conducted, USCIS randomly selects a certain number of H-1B cap-subject 
petitions projected as needed to meet the numerical limitation. USCIS 
makes projections on the number of H-1B cap-subject petitions necessary 
to meet the numerical limit, taking into account historical data 
related to approvals, denials, revocations, and other relevant 
factors.\21\ USCIS uses these projections to determine the number of 
petitions to select to meet, but not exceed, the 65,000 regular cap and 
20,000 advanced degree exemption, although the exact percentage and 
number of petitions may vary depending on the applicable projections 
for a particular fiscal year. USCIS begins the H-1B cap and advanced 
degree selection process by first randomly selecting petitions that 
will apply to the projections needed to reach the 20,000 advanced 
degree exemption.\22\ Once the selection process for the 20,000 
advanced degree exemption is complete, USCIS then randomly selects 
petitions that apply to the projections needed to reach the 65,000 
regular cap limit. USCIS then rejects all remaining H-1B petitions and 
returns the petition and associated fees to the petitioners. For 
petitions selected during the selection process, USCIS enters petition 
information into its database and notifies the petitioner of their 
selection, which includes receipting and depositing associated petition 
fees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(ii)(B).
    \22\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Changes Made by This Final Rule
    DHS is establishing a mandatory electronic registration requirement 
that will address some of the current operational challenges associated 
with the H-1B cap-subject petition process. The electronic 
registration, unless suspended by USCIS consistent with this final 
rule, will commence before the H-1B cap filing season, which currently 
begins on April 1 each year (or the next business day if April 1 falls 
on Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday). This rule will require 
petitioners to create an account and electronically register through 
the USCIS website each prospective H-1B worker on whose behalf the 
petitioner seeks to file an H-1B cap-subject petition. DHS estimates 
that each unique account creation by a petitioner will take 0.17 hours 
and each electronic registration for a unique beneficiary will take 0.5 
hours to complete.\23\ DHS describes in further detail how the 
electronic registration process will work in the preamble of the Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking (83 FR 62406).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ DHS assumes petitioners would not need to expend additional 
funds to procure computer equipment or acquire internet connections 
since DOL already requires employers to electronically file Labor 
Condition Applications (LCAs), and an approved LCA is a requisite 
for requesting an H-1B employee. This assumption was made in the 
2011 proposed rule, ``Registration Requirement for Petitioners 
Seeking to File H-1B Petitions on Behalf of Aliens Subject to the 
Numerical Limitations'' and USCIS received no comments regarding 
this assumption.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Only those with a selected registration will be eligible to submit 
an associated H-1B cap-subject petition on behalf of a cap-subject H-1B 
worker to USCIS. As described previously in the preamble of the Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking (83 FR 62406), registrants will receive 
notification of selection and could then proceed to obtaining a 
certified LCA from DOL and afterward proceed to preparing and filing H-
1B cap-subject petitions with USCIS. Those with registrations that are 
not selected will not have to complete and file H-1B cap-subject 
petitions for the H-1B cap-subject worker named in the unselected 
registration, as they will be ineligible to file an H-1B cap-subject 
petition for that beneficiary in that fiscal year.
    Additionally, DHS is changing the H-1B random selection process to 
increase the probability that H-1B visas will be issued, or status 
otherwise provided, to beneficiaries with master's degrees or higher 
from U.S. institutions of higher education. DHS is changing the H-1B 
selection process by first selecting H-1B registrations towards the 
projected number of petitions needed to meet the 65,000 regular cap 
limit, which will include all cap-subject beneficiaries, including 
those with a master's degree or higher from a U.S. institution of 
higher education. Then USCIS will select registrations that are 
eligible for the 20,000 advanced degree exemption, which are those with 
master's degrees or higher from U.S. institutions of higher education, 
towards the projected number needed to reach the advanced degree 
exemption. This process will allow those petitions with beneficiaries 
who have a master's degree or higher from U.S. institutions of higher 
education a greater chance to be selected.
4. Population
    The population impacted by this rule includes those petitioners who 
file on behalf of H-1B cap-subject beneficiaries (i.e. beneficiaries 
who will be subject to the regular cap, and beneficiaries on whose 
behalf an H-1B petition asserting an advanced degree exemption will be 
filed). These petitioning entities are typically referred to as H-1B 
petitioners in DHS regulations and in this preamble. When discussing 
the registration requirements, DHS refers to this same population as 
both registrants and petitioners for purposes of this analysis. Those 
terms refer to the same petitioning entities in the H-1B process.
a. Estimated Population Impacted by Registration Requirement
    In order to estimate the population impacted by the registration 
requirement, DHS uses historical filing data of H-1B cap-subject 
petitioners. These petitioners complete and file Form I-129. 
Petitioners may also choose or be required to complete and file the 
following USCIS forms:
    <bullet> Request for Premium Processing Service (Form I-907), if 
seeking expedited petition processing, and/or
    <bullet> Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited 
Representative (Form G-28), if the petition is completed and filed by a 
lawyer or accredited representative.
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P

[[Page 925]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.006

    In FY 2017, USCIS received 198,460 H-1B petitions in the first five 
days that cap-subject petitions could be filed, a 16 percent \24\ 
decline in H-1B cap-subject petitions from FY 2016. Though the receipt 
of H-1B cap-subject petitions fell in FY 2017, the petitions received 
still far exceeded the numerical limitations, continuing a trend of 
excess demand since FY 2010.\25\ DHS uses the five-year average of H-1B 
cap-subject petitions received from FY 2013 to FY 2017 (192,918) as the 
estimate of H-1B cap-subject petitions that will be received annually. 
DHS uses the historical five-year average of 192,918 as seen in Table 3 
as a reasonable proxy for the number of registrations that will be 
submitted in an annual filing period. DHS recognizes that the use of 
this historical average does not include the possibility that the 
registration's lower barrier to entry will result in an increase in the 
number of registrations. Currently, DHS does not have data to estimate 
the likelihood of that occurrence. As discussed previously, this rule 
incorporates measures to minimize the number of petitioners who might 
try to flood the registration system in order to increase the chances 
of their petition being selected. Nevertheless, if these mitigation 
measures are not fully successful, the estimates based on historical 
averages may underestimate the actual numbers of registrations, and 
thus underestimate the costs of the rule. In addition to possible 
increases in fraudulent registations, the lower initial cost of 
registration may induce an increase in the number of legitimate 
registrations. This, too, will increase the cost of the regulation, but 
USCIS was unable to estimate the likely increase in registrations and 
associated costs .
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ Calculation: (236,444 FY16 H-1B cap-subject petitions-
198,460 FY17 H-1B cap-subject petitions)/236,444 Form I-129 
petitions = 16 percent (rounded).
    \25\ For H-1B filing petitions data prior to FY 2013, see USCIS 
Reports and Studies, retrieved at https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-studies/reports-and-studies. Visited March 3, 2018.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table 3 also shows historical filings for Form I-907 and Form G-28 
that

[[Page 926]]

accompanied selected H-1B cap-subject petitions. DHS uses this data to 
obtain the numbers of H-1B cap-subject petitions that are filed with a 
Form I-907 and/or Form G-28. DHS notes that these forms are not 
mutually exclusive. Based on the five-year average, DHS estimates 25 
percent \26\ of selected petitions will include Form I-907 and 75 
percent \27\ of selected petitions will include Form G-28. Based on 
operational resource considerations, USCIS has announced temporary 
suspensions of the premium processing service in the past.\28\ For the 
purposes of this analysis, DHS assumes that Form I-907 will not be 
suspended and includes eligibility for petitioners to voluntarily incur 
such costs in both the baseline and costs analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ Calculation: 24,008 Form I-907/97,198 Form I-129 petitions 
= 25 percent (rounded).
    \27\ Calculation: 73,272 Forms G-28/97,198 Form I-129 petitions 
= 75 percent (rounded).
    \28\ DHS notes USCIS temporarily suspended premium processing of 
all H-1B petitions on March 20, 2018. USCIS News Releases. ``USCIS 
Will Temporarily Suspend Premium Processing for Fiscal Year 2019 H-
1B Cap Petitions.'' March 3, 2017. https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-will-temporarily-suspend-premium-processing-fiscal-year-2019-h-1b-cap-petitions. Visited April 13, 2018.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table 4 summarizes the population under the current filing process 
for selected petitions versus unselected petitions because the impact 
of the registration requirement is not the same for selected and 
unselected petitioners. DHS estimates 95,720 unselected petitions by 
subtracting selected petitions from the total petitions filed.\29\ DHS 
also distinguishes the number of petitions with premium processing fees 
(Form I-907) and the number of petitions filed by a lawyer or other 
accredited representative (Form G-28). Historical filings for Form I-
907 and Form G-28 that accompanied selected petitions were estimated to 
be 25 percent and 75 percent respectively. DHS reasonably applies those 
percentages to the number of total petitions and estimates 47,651 \30\ 
Form I-907 and 145,431 \31\ Form G-28 were submitted with total 
petitions filed. Since DHS uses the five-year average of total 
petitions received (192,918) as the estimate of petitions that will be 
received annually, DHS also assumes the five-year average of Form I-907 
(24,008) and Form G-28 (73,272) that accompany selected petitions is a 
reasonable annual estimate for each form. For unselected petitions, DHS 
estimates 23,643 \32\ Form I-907 and 72,158 \33\ Form G-28 by 
subtracting the estimated selected petitions from estimated total 
petitions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ Calculation: 192,918 total petitions filed-97,198 selected 
petitions = 95,720 unselected petitions.
    \30\ Calculation: 192,918 * 25 percent = 47,651 Form I-907.
    \31\ Calculation: 192,918 * 75 percent = 145,431 Form G-28.
    \32\ Calculation: 47,651 Forms I-907- 24,008 Forms I-907 = 
23,643 Forms I-907 received with unselected petitions.
    \33\ Calculation: 145,431 Forms G-28-73,272 Forms G-28 = 72,158 
Forms G-28 received with unselected petitions.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.007


[[Page 927]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.008

    Table 5 presents populations DHS anticipates for the registration 
process based on comparable historical data from Table 4. DHS assumes 
the historical five-year average of 192,918 (Table 4) as a reasonable 
estimate for the number of total registrations that will be submitted 
in an annual filing period.\34\ DHS also assumes that the historical 
five-year averages of selected and unselected petitions will be a 
reasonable estimate for the total number of registrations that are 
selected and not selected.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ DHS acknowledges the possibility that certain employers who 
currently decide against filing an H-1B petition may choose to file 
a registration under this final rule since the cost is much less. 
However, at this time DHS is not able to forecast this scenario with 
statistical validity. Therefore, for this purpose of this analysis 
DHS has estimated the registration population that would parallel 
the current petitioner population.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DHS estimates that 192,918 H-1B cap-subject registrations will be 
submitted annually and USCIS will select 97,198 registrations. Those 
with selected registrations will then be eligible to file, during an 
associated filing period, the H-1B cap-subject petition on behalf of 
the specific beneficiary named in the selected registration for that 
fiscal year. Therefore, DHS assumes under the registration process, 
97,198 petitions will result from the 97,198 selected registrants. Of 
the petitions resulting from selected registrations, DHS anticipates 
24,008 (25 percent) petitions will include premium processing (Form I-
907) and 73,272 (75 percent) petitions will include representation by a 
lawyer or accredited representative (Form G-28).\35\ Those registrants 
who are not selected will not be eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject 
petition and therefore DHS does not estimate any petition volume for 
unselected registrations under the registration requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ Based on the five-year averages from Table 3, DHS estimates 
24 percent of selected petitions would include Form I-907 and 76 
percent of selected petitions would include Form G-28.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Estimated Population Impacted by the Selection Process
i. Selected Advanced Degree Exemption Petitions in the Current 
Selection Process
    As discussed in section 4, DHS uses historical filing data of H-1B 
cap-subject petitions to estimate future registration populations. 
Table 6 shows historical filing data for H-1B cap-subject petitions 
categorized by regular cap and advanced degree exemption receipts. 
USCIS received an annual average of 192,918 H-1B cap-subject petitions. 
DHS calculates 71 percent \36\ of petitions (137,017) were filed under 
the regular cap and 29 percent \37\ of petitions (55,900) were filed 
under the advanced degree exemption. Therefore, DHS estimates that 
USCIS will receive a total of 192,918 registrations annually consisting 
of 137,017 registrations under the regular cap and 55,900 registrations 
under the advanced degree exemption.
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    \36\ Calculation: 137,017 regular/192,918 Form I-129 petitions * 
100 = 71 percent (rounded).
    \37\ Calculation: 55,900 advanced degree/192,918 Form I-129 
petitions * 100 = 29 percent (rounded).

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[[Page 928]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.009

BILLING CODE 4000-01-C
    Additionally, DHS uses 55,900 petitions in this analysis as a 
volume estimate of beneficiaries who have a master's degree or higher 
from a U.S. institution of higher education. Anecdotal evidence 
suggests that very few petitions incorrectly identify whether the 
beneficiary has a qualifying degree such that they may be eligible for 
the advanced degree exemption. As such, we believe this is a reliable 
estimate.
    Under the current process, when the number of cap-subject petitions 
filed with USCIS during the first five days that such petitions may be 
filed exceeds the numerical limits, a certain number of petitions 
projected as needed to meet the 20,000 advanced degree exemption are 
randomly selected first from the 55,900 advanced degree petitions 
eligible for the advanced degree exemption.\38\ Of the remaining 
172,918 petitions, 35,900 (21 percent) of H-1B beneficiaries with a 
master's degree or higher from a U.S. institution of higher education 
remain in the pool to be selected in the 65,000 regular cap limit.\39\ 
Then, USCIS randomly selects a certain number of petitions projected as 
needed to meet the 65,000 regular cap limit from the remaining pool, 
which includes H-1B beneficiaries with bachelor's degrees and 
beneficiaries with a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution 
of higher education not selected under the advanced degree exemption. 
DHS estimates that an additional 13,495 petitions otherwise eligible 
for the advanced degree exemption but not selected under the advanced 
degree exemption would be randomly selected in the regular cap.\40\ 
Therefore, USCIS currently selects an estimated total of 33,495 
petitions filed for beneficiaries with a master's or higher degree from 
a U.S. institution of higher education, which accounts for 17 percent 
of the 192,918 Form I-129 petitions.\41\
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    \38\ DHS uses the mandated numerical limitations (65,000 for 
regular cap and 20,000 for advanced degree exemption) to demonstrate 
the statistical validity in the descriptions of selected advanced 
degree petitions in the current and new selection process.
    \39\ Calculation: 192,918 Form I-129 H-1B cap-subject petitions-
20,000 advanced degree = 172,918 advanced degree and regular; 
Calculation: 55,900 advanced degree-20,000 advanced degree = 35,900 
advanced degree; Calculation: 35,900 advanced degree/172,918 Form I-
129 H-1B cap-subject petitions * 100 = 21 percent (rounded).
    \40\ Calculation: 65,000 regular cap limit * 21 percent = 13,495 
advanced degree petitions.
    \41\ Calculation: 33,495 advanced degree/192,918 Form I-129 H-1B 
cap-subject petitions * 100 = 17 percent (rounded).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

ii. Selected Advanced Degree Exemption Petitions in the New Selection 
Process
    Under the new change to the H-1B cap-subject selection process, 
those seeking to file an H-1B cap-subject petition will have to submit 
an electronic registration for each beneficiary, unless the 
registration requirement is suspended. Only those with selected 
registrations will be eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition 
during an associated filing period for that fiscal year. As previously 
stated, DHS continues to assume 192,918 registrations will be received 
annually. Under the new selection process, when registration is 
required, USCIS would first select a certain number of registrations 
projected as needed to meet the 65,000 regular cap limit from the 
192,918 registrations. All 55,900 H-1B beneficiaries with a master's or 
higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education (29 percent) 
will therefore be included in the pool for selection. DHS estimates 
that up to 18,835 advanced degree registrations that could be selected 
during the selection for the regular cap.\42\
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    \42\ Calculation: 65,000 regular cap limit * 29 percent = 18,835 
advanced degree petitions.

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[[Page 929]]

    Next, USCIS will select a certain number of registrations projected 
to meet the 20,000 advanced degree exemption from the remaining pool of 
37,065 advanced degree registrations.\43\ In total, USCIS is likely to 
select an estimated 38,835 registrations for petitioners seeking to 
file H-1B petitions under the advanced degree exemption.\44\ These 
registrations account for 20 percent of the 192,918 registrations.\45\ 
Therefore, DHS estimates USCIS could accept up to 5,340 (or 16 percent) 
\46\ more H-1B cap-subject petitions annually for beneficiaries with a 
master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher 
education.\47\
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    \43\ Calculation: 55,900 advanced degree-18,835 advanced degree 
= 37,065 advanced degree.
    \44\ Calculation: 18,835 selected advanced degree petitions + 
20,000 advanced degree petitions = 38,835 total advanced degree 
petitions selected.
    \45\ Calculation: 38,835 advanced degree petitions/192,918 
registrations = 20 percent (rounded).
    \46\ Calculation: (38,835 (new advanced degree petitions)-33,495 
(current advanced degree petitions))/33,495 (current advanced degree 
petitions) * 100 = 16 percent.
    \47\ Calculation: 38,835 new advanced degree petitions-33,495 
current advanced degree petitions = 5,340 additional petitions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In years when the registration requirement is suspended, the same 
result will occur from the reversal of the cap selection process, 
however USCIS would be selecting petitions rather than registrations.
5. Costs
    DHS estimates costs specifically for selected and unselected 
petitioners between the current H-1B petition process and the new 
registration environment because the impact for each population is 
different. Current costs to selected petitioners are an aggregate of 
filing fees associated with each H-1B cap-subject petition, mailing 
cost, and the opportunity cost of time to complete all associated 
forms. Current costs to unselected petitioners are just the opportunity 
cost of time to complete forms and mail the petition since USCIS 
returns the H-1B cap-subject petition and filing fees to unselected 
petitioners. The only difference between total current costs for 
selected and unselected petitioners in an annual filing period consists 
of fees returned to unselected petitioners.
    The new registration requirement will impose additional opportunity 
costs of time to all petitioners to complete the required registration, 
but relieve petitioners with unselected registrations from the 
opportunity cost associated with completing an entire H-1B cap-subject 
petition. Therefore petitioners with selected registrations will face 
an additional cost and petitioners with unselected registrations will 
experience cost savings. Specifically, petitioners with selected 
registrations will face an additional opportunity cost of time to 
complete the required registration, as well as the current filing fees 
and opportunity costs of time to complete and file H-1B cap-subject 
petitions. Petitioners with unselected registrations will only 
experience the opportunity cost of time to complete the required 
registration.
    The government will incur costs associated with developing and 
maintaining the electronic registration system on its website. 
Petitioners may also incur costs associated with the registration 
selection process that will increase the number of H-1B beneficiaries 
with a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher 
education in the form of higher salaries that might be paid to 
beneficiaries with advanced degrees from a U.S. institution of higher 
education. In order to determine the costs and cost savings of this 
rule, DHS first estimates the current costs of completing and filing an 
H-1B petition.
a. Current Costs To Complete and File Form I-129 Petitions
    Currently, an employer seeking to file a petition on behalf of an 
H-1B worker must complete and file Form I-129. Form I-129 is estimated 
to take 2.26 hours to complete per petition and includes a filing fee 
of $460.\48\ Filing the Form I-129 petition includes the H 
Classification supplement and the H-1B and H-1B1 Data Collection and 
Filing Fee Exemption Supplement, which are estimated to take 2 hours 
and 1 hour per supplement to complete, respectively. Therefore, it is 
estimated to take a total of 5.26 hours to complete and file Form I-
129. Petitioners may also choose or be required to complete the 
following forms:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ DHS recognizes there are other fees associated with an H-1B 
petition, such as the ACWIA Fee, the Fraud Fee and Public Law 114-
113 fee. These fees generally vary depending on the size of the 
petitioning entity. Therefore, DHS has not specifically included 
these fees in the calculations of H-1B cap-subject petitions though 
DHS acknowledges these fees are statutorily required.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    <bullet> Form I-907 is estimated to take 0.5 hours to complete with 
a filing fee of $1,410, and/or
    <bullet> Form G-28 is estimated to take 0.88 hours to complete and 
does not have a fee.

In order to estimate the opportunity costs of time in completing and 
filing Form I-129, and if necessary, Form I-907 or Form G-28, DHS 
assumes that a petitioner will use a human resources (HR) specialist, 
an in-house lawyer, or an outsourced lawyer to prepare Form I-129 
petitions.\49\ DHS uses the historical filings of Forms I-907 and Forms 
G-28 submitted with H-1B petitions to estimate the distribution of form 
submissions amongst type of petition preparer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \49\ USCIS limited its analysis to HR specialists, in-house 
lawyers, and outsourced lawyers to present estimated costs. However, 
USCIS understands that not all entities employ individuals with 
these occupations and, therefore, recognizes equivalent occupations 
may also prepare and file these petitions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In section 4 of this analysis, DHS estimates that 75 percent of H-
1B petitions were completed and filed by lawyers or other accredited 
representatives based on the submissions of Forms G-28. Table 4 
presents the total number of Form G-28 accompanying total petitions, 
selected petitions and unselected petitions. DHS reasonably assumes the 
total number of Form G-28 represents the number of H-1B petitions that 
were completed and filed by lawyers or other accredited representatives 
and presents this in Table 7. DHS estimates the remaining petitions are 
completed and filed by HR specialists or other equivalent occupation. 
DHS estimates of total petitions filed, 47,487 \50\ petitions were 
filed by HR specialists or other equivalent occupation. Of selected 
petitions, DHS estimates 23,926 \51\ petitions were filed by HR 
specialists or other equivalent occupation. Of unselected petitions, 
DHS estimates 23,562 \52\ petitions were filed by HR specialists or 
other equivalent occupation. Table 7 summarizes the estimated 
population of H-1B petition submissions based on the type of petition 
preparer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ Calculation: 192,918-145,431 = 47,487 petitions prepared by 
HR specialists.
    \51\ Calculation: 97,198-73,272 = 23,926 selected petitions 
prepared by HR specialists.
    \52\ Calculation: 95,720-72,158 = 23,562 unselected petitions 
prepared by HR specialists.

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[[Page 930]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.010

    The relevant wage is currently $31.84 \53\ per hour for an HR 
specialist and $68.22 \54\ per hour for an in-house lawyer. DHS 
accounts for worker benefits when estimating the opportunity cost of 
time by calculating a benefits-to-wage multiplier using the Department 
of Labor, BLS report detailing the average employer costs for employee 
compensation for all civilian workers in major occupational groups and 
industries. DHS estimates that the benefits-to-wage multiplier is 1.46 
and, therefore, is able to estimate the full opportunity cost per 
applicant, including employee wages and salaries and the full cost of 
benefits such as paid leave, insurance, and retirement.\55\ DHS 
multiplied the average hourly U.S. wage rate for HR specialists and 
lawyers by 1.46 to account for the full cost of employee benefits, for 
a total of $46.49 \56\ per hour for an HR specialist and $99.60 \57\ 
per hour for an in-house lawyer. DHS recognizes that a firm may choose, 
but is not required, to outsource the preparation of these petitions 
and, therefore, has presented two wage rates for lawyers. To determine 
the full opportunity costs if a firm hired an outsourced lawyer, DHS 
multiplied the average hourly U.S. wage rate for lawyers by 2.5 for a 
total of $170.55 \58\ to approximate an hourly billing rate for an 
outsourced lawyer.\59\
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    \53\ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 
``Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2017, Human Resources 
Specialist'': https://www.bls.gov/oes/2017/may/oes131071.htm. 
Visited April 13, 2018.
    \54\ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 
``Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2017, Lawyers'': https://www.bls.gov/oes/2017/may/oes231011.htm. Visited April 13, 2018.
    \55\ The benefits-to-wage multiplier is calculated as follows: 
(Total Employee Compensation per hour)/(Wages and Salaries per 
hour). See Economic News Release, U.S. Dep't of Labor, Bureau of 
Labor Statistics, Table 1. Employer costs per hour worked for 
employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: 
Civilian workers, by major occupational and industry group (December 
2017), available at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ecec_03202018.pdf (viewed April 2018). The ECEC measures the average 
cost to employers for wages and salaries and benefits per employee 
hour worked.
    \56\ Calculation: $31.84 * 1.46 = $46.49 total wage rate for HR 
specialist.
    \57\ Calculation: $68.22 * 1.46 = $99.60 total wage rate for in-
house lawyer.
    \58\ Calculation: $68.22 * 2.5 = $170.55 total wage rate for an 
outsourced lawyer.
    \59\ The DHS analysis in, ``Exercise of Time-Limited Authority 
To Increase the Fiscal Year 2018 Numerical Limitation for the H-2B 
Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Program'' (May 31, 2018), available 
at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/05/31/2018-11732/exercise-of-time-limited-authority-to-increase-the-fiscal-year-2018-numerical-limitation-for-the, used a multiplier of 2.5 to convert 
in-house attorney wages to the cost of outsourced attorney wages. 
DHS believes the methodology used in the Final Small Entity Impact 
Analysis remains sound for using 2.5 as a multiplier for outsourced 
labor wages in this rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on the time burden and relevant wages, the total opportunity 
costs of time to complete Form I-129 is $244.52 per petition \60\ and 
for Form I-907 is $23.24 \61\ per petition if an HR specialist files. 
Although USCIS only requires petitioners to file Form I-129 and 
supplemental forms on behalf of an H-1B worker, DHS includes the 
opportunity cost of time for Form I-907 since some petitioners may file 
for premium processing. The opportunity cost of time for an in-house 
lawyer to complete Form I-129 is $523.90,\62\ Form I-907 is $49.80,\63\ 
and Form G-28 is $87.65.\64\ The opportunity cost of time for an 
outsourced lawyer to complete Form I-129 is $897.09,\65\ Form I-907 is 
$85.28,\66\ and Form G-28 is $150.08.\67\ DHS assumes that only Form I-
129 petitions completed by in-house lawyers and outsourced lawyers 
would also complete Form G-28.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \60\ Calculation: $46.49 (HR wage) * 5.26 hours (time to 
complete Form I-129) = $244.52.
    \61\ Calculation: $46.49 (HR wage) * 0.5 hour (time to complete 
Form I-907) = $23.24.
    \62\ Calculation: $99.60 (in-house lawyer wage) * 5.26 hours 
(time to complete Form I-129) = $523.90.
    \63\ Calculation: $99.60 (in-house lawyer wage) * 0.5 hour (time 
to complete Form I-907) = $49.80.
    \64\ Calculation: $99.60 (in-house lawyer wage) * 0.88 hour 
(time to complete Form G-28) = $87.65.
    \65\ Calculation: $170.55 (outsourced lawyer wage) * 5.26 hours 
(time to complete Form I-129) = $897.09.
    \66\ Calculation: $170.55 (outsourced lawyer wage) * 0.5 hour 
(time to complete Form I-907) = $85.28.
    \67\ Calculation: $170.55 (outsourced lawyer wage) * 0.88 hour 
(time to complete Form G-28) = $150.08.

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[[Page 931]]

    Based on the calculated opportunity costs of time, the total cost 
to complete and file Form I-129 is $704.52\68\ and Form I-907 is 
$1,433.24\69\ if an HR specialist files. The total cost to complete and 
file Form I-129 is $983.90,\70\ Form I-907 is $1,459.80,\71\ and Form 
G-28 is $87.65 if an in-house lawyer files. The total cost to complete 
and file Form I-129 is $1,357.09,\72\ Form I-907 is $1,495.28,\73\ and 
Form G-28 is $150.08 if an outsourced lawyer files.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \68\ Calculation: $244.52 opportunity cost + $460 Form I-129 
filing fee = $704.52 total cost per Form I-129 if filed by an HR 
specialist.
    \69\ Calculation: $23.24 opportunity cost + $1,410 Form I-907 
filing fee = $1,433.24 total cost per Form I-907 if filed by an HR 
specialist.
    \70\ Calculation: $523.90 opportunity cost + $460 filing fee = 
$983.90 total cost per Form I-129 if filed by an in-house lawyer.
    \71\ Calculation: $49.80 opportunity cost + $1,410 filing fee = 
$1,459.80 total cost per Form I-907 if filed by an in-house lawyer.
    \72\ Calculation: $897.09 opportunity cost + $460 = $1,357.09 
total cost per Form I-129 if filed by an outsourced lawyer.
    \73\ Calculation: $85.28 opportunity cost + $1,410 = $1,495.28 
total cost per Form I-907 if filed by an outsourced lawyer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table 7 estimates that 75 percent of selected petitions (73,272) 
were completed and filed by lawyers or other accredited representatives 
from the submitted Forms G-28. DHS assumes the remaining petitions 
(23,926 or 25 percent) are completed and filed by HR specialists. In 
order to determine the distribution of Forms I-907 among types of 
petition preparer, DHS uses historical filing data of Form I-907 
submitted with H-1B petitions to estimate the number of Forms I-907 
that are completed by HR specialists or lawyers.
    Table 8 shows the number of Forms I-907 received with selected H-1B 
cap-subject petitions from fiscal years 2013 to 2017 categorized by 
accompaniment of a Form G-28. As previously stated, DHS assumes that 
only in-house lawyers and outsourced lawyers would complete Form G-28. 
Therefore, Form I-907 petitions received with a Form G-28 are assumed 
to be completed by a lawyer. Table 8 shows that among selected 
petitions over the last 5 years, 21,401 Forms I-907 (89 percent)\74\ 
have been completed and filed by lawyers and 2,606 Forms I-907 (11 
percent)\75\ have not. Therefore, DHS estimates that 89 percent of 
Forms I-907 would be completed by lawyers and 11 percent would be 
completed by HR specialists for this analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \74\ Calculation: 21,401 petitions received with a Form I-907 
and a Form G-28/24,008 Total Forms I-907 = 89 percent (rounded).
    \75\ Calculation: 2,606 petitions received with a Form I-907 and 
without a Form G-28/24,008 Total Forms I-907 = 11 percent (rounded).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.011

    For selected and unselected petitions, DHS presents costs by type 
of petition preparer. DHS estimates HR specialists would file 25 
percent of Form I-129 H-1B petitions and 11 percent of Forms I-907. 
Since DHS uses two wages for lawyers, DHS presents these costs as if 
all in-house lawyers filed or all outsourced lawyers filed 75 percent 
of Form I-129 H-1B petitions and 89 percent of Forms I-907 (along with 
Form G-28). In reality, the costs estimated for lawyers are likely to 
be some distribution of the two ranges presented. To present total 
costs for an annual filing period, DHS aggregates HR specialist costs 
and lawyer costs, using in-house lawyer costs for a lower bound and 
outsourced lawyers as an upper bound.
i. Current Costs to Selected Petitioners
    Table 9 shows the current total cost of filed petitions that were 
selected during the H-1B cap-subject selection process by type of 
petition preparer. To calculate mailing costs, DHS uses the shipping 
prices of United States Postal Service (USPS) Domestic Priority Mail 
Express Flat Rate Envelopes, which is currently priced at $25.80 per 
envelope.\76\
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    \76\ For the purposes of this analysis, we assume that 
petitioners would use the USPS ``Domestic Priority Mail Express Flat 
Rate Envelope'' shipping at the retail price to ensure delivery of 
Form I-129 petitions to USCIS. USCIS also assumes that the petition 
weighs five pounds and ships locally or in zone 1 or 2. However, 
USCIS acknowledges that a petitioner may choose other means of 
shipping. U.S. Postal Service, Price List: https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c011. Visited February 23, 2018.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under current procedures for H-1B cap-subject petitions, DHS 
estimates cost to complete and file selected Form I-129 H-1B cap-
subject petitions prepared by HR specialists is $16.9 million,\77\ Form 
I-907 is $3.7 million,\78\ and mailing cost is $617,280 \79\ (an 
aggregate $21.2 million). Similarly, DHS estimates the cost to complete 
and file selected Form I-129 H-1B cap-subject

[[Page 932]]

petitions prepared by in-house lawyers is $72.1 million,\80\ Form I-907 
is $31.2 million,\81\ Form G-28 is $6.4 million,\82\ and mailing cost 
is $1.9 million \83\ (an aggregate $111.6 million). If prepared by an 
outsourced lawyer, DHS estimates the cost to complete and file selected 
Form I-129 H-1B cap-subject petitions is $99.4 million,\84\ Form I-907 
is $32.0 million,\85\ Form G-28 is $11.0 million,\86\ and mailing cost 
is $1.9 million \87\ (an aggregate $144.3 million).
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    \77\ Calculation: 23,926 Forms I-129 filed by HR specialists * 
$704.52 total cost per petition = $16,856,064 (rounded).
    \78\ Calculation: 2,606 Forms I-907 (11 percent of 24,008 Forms 
I-907) * $1,433.24 total cost per Form I-907 = $3,735,023 (rounded).
    \79\ Calculation: 23,926 Forms I-129 filed by HR specialists * 
$25.80 mailing cost = $617,280 (rounded).
    \80\ Calculation: 73,272 Forms I-129 filed by lawyers * $983.90 
total cost if filed by an in-house lawyer = $72,092,714 (rounded).
    \81\ Calculation: 21,401 Forms I-907 (89 percent of 24,008 Forms 
I-907) * $1,459.80 total cost if filed by an in-house lawyer = 
$31,241,180 (rounded).
    \82\ Calculation: 73,272 Forms G-28 filed by lawyers * $87.65 
cost if filed by an in-house lawyer = $6,422,326 (rounded).
    \83\ Calculation: 73,272 Forms I-129 filed by lawyers * $25.80 
mailing cost = $1,890,428 (rounded).
    \84\ Calculation: 73,272 Forms I-129 filed by lawyers * 
$1,357.09 total cost if filed by an outsourced lawyer = $99,437,241 
(rounded).
    \85\ Calculation: 21,401 Forms I-907 (89 percent of 24,008 Forms 
I-907) * $1,495.28 total cost if filed by an outsourced lawyer = 
$32,000,487 (rounded).
    \86\ Calculation: 73,272 Forms G-28 filed by lawyers * $150.08 
cost if filed by an outsourced lawyer = $10,996,722 (rounded).
    \87\ Calculation: 73,272 Forms I-129 filed by lawyers * $25.80 
mailing cost = $1,890,428 (rounded).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.012

ii. Current Costs to Unselected Petitioners
    Table 10 shows the estimated costs for the H-1B petitioners whose 
cap-subject petitions are not selected for adjudication under current 
procedures for H-1B cap-subject petitions. The fees for these 
unselected petitions are returned to petitioners and, therefore, 
petitioners with unselected petitions incur costs only in the 
opportunity costs of time for completing the appropriate forms and 
mailing costs for those cap-subject petitions that were not selected. 
From Table 7 of this analysis, DHS estimates that 72,158 unselected 
Form I-129 H-1B cap-subject petitions were completed and filed by 
lawyers or other accredited representatives from the submitted Forms G-
28. As seen in Table 7, DHS assumes the remaining H-1B cap-subject 
petitions (23,562) are completed and filed by HR specialists. DHS also 
estimates in Table 4 that 23,643 Forms I-907 were filed with H-1B cap-
subject petitions that were not selected. USCIS continues to assume of 
Forms I-907 that were filed with H-1B cap-subject petitions that were 
not selected 89 percent are completed by lawyers and 11 percent are 
completed by HR specialists.
    DHS estimates the annual cost to complete unselected Form I-129 H-
1B cap-subject petitions prepared by HR specialists is $5.8 
million,\88\ Forms I-907 is $60,447,\89\ and mailing costs is $607,900 
\90\ (an aggregate $6.4 million). DHS estimates the annual cost to 
complete unselected Form I-129 H-1B cap-subject petitions prepared by 
in-house lawyers is $37.8 million,\91\ Form I-907 is $1 million,\92\ 
Form G-28 is $6.3 million,\93\ and mailing costs is $1.9 million \94\ 
(an aggregate $47.0 million). If prepared by an outsourced lawyer, DHS 
estimates the annual cost to complete unselected Form I-129 H-1B cap-
subject petitions is $64.7 million,\95\ Form I-907 is $1.8 million,\96\ 
Form G-28 is $10.8 million,\97\ and mailing costs is $1.9 million \98\ 
(an aggregate $79 million).
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    \88\ Calculation: 23,562 Forms I-129 filed by HR specialists * 
$244.52 opportunity cost = $5,761,380 (rounded).
    \89\ Calculation: 2,601 Forms I-907 (11 percent of 23,643 Forms 
I-907) * $23.24 opportunity cost = $60,447 (rounded).
    \90\ Calculation: 23,562 Forms I-129 filed by HR specialists * 
$25.80 mailing cost = $607,900 (rounded).
    \91\ Calculation: 72,158 Forms I-129 filed by lawyers * $523.90 
opportunity cost if filed by an in-house lawyer = $37,803,576 
(rounded).
    \92\ Calculation: 21,042 Forms I-907 (89 percent of 23,643 Forms 
I-907) * $49.80 opportunity cost if filed by an in-house lawyer = 
$1,047,892 (rounded).
    \93\ Calculation: 72,158 Forms G-28 filed by lawyers * $87.65 
opportunity cost if filed by an in-house lawyer = $6,324,649 
(rounded).
    \94\ Calculation: 72,158 Forms I-129 filed by lawyers * $25.80 
mailing cost = $1,861,676 (rounded).
    \95\ Calculation: 72,158 Forms I-129 filed by lawyers * $897.09 
opportunity cost if filed by an outsourced lawyer = $64,732,220 
(rounded).
    \96\ Calculation: 21,042 Forms I-907 (89 percent of 23,643 Forms 
I-907) * $85.28 opportunity cost if filed by an outsourced lawyer = 
$1,794,462 (rounded).
    \97\ Calculation: 72,158 Forms G-28 filed by lawyers * $150.08 
opportunity cost if filed by an outsourced lawyer = $10,829,473 
(rounded).
    \98\ Calculation: 72,158 Forms I-129 filed by lawyers * $25.80 
mailing cost = $1,861,676 (rounded).

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[[Page 933]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.013

iii. Total Current Costs for Selected and Unselected Petitioners in an 
Annual Filing Period
    As discussed in Table 7 of this analysis, DHS estimates the 
distribution of HR specialists and lawyers based on historical filings. 
DHS estimates that 75 percent of H-1B petitions are prepared by lawyers 
or other accredited representatives, and 25 percent are completed and 
prepared by HR specialists or other equivalent occupation. In order to 
present total costs for an annual filing period, DHS aggregates HR 
specialist costs and lawyer costs. Since DHS uses two wages for 
lawyers, DHS presents lawyer costs as if all in-house lawyers filed or 
all outsourced lawyers filed. DHS assumes a reasonable lower bound 
estimate for annual filing costs would be HR specialist costs added 
with in-house lawyers. Similarly, DHS assumes an upper bound estimate 
for annual filing costs would be reasonably estimated by combining HR 
specialist costs added with outsourced lawyers. These lower and upper 
bound estimates reflect the range of total current petitioner costs 
associated with H-1B cap-subject process in an annual filing period.
    Table 11 summarizes the estimated lower bound and upper bound for 
selected petitioners and unselected petitioners in an annual filing 
period.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.014

    As seen in Table 11, the total current costs for selected 
petitioners in an annual filing period ranges from $132.9 \99\ million 
to $165.5 million,\100\ depending on who petitioners use to prepare the 
petition. The total current costs for unselected petitioners in an 
annual filing period ranges from

[[Page 934]]

$53.5 \101\ million to $85.6 million,\102\ again depending on who 
petitioners use to prepare the petition. Fees returned to unselected 
petitioners make up the difference between total current costs for 
selected and unselected petitioners in an annual filing period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \99\ Calculation: $21,208,367 HR specialist cost + $111,646,648 
in-house lawyer cost = $132,855,015 total annual cost (rounded).
    \100\ Calculation: $21,208,367 HR specialist cost + $144,324,878 
outsourced lawyer cost = $165,533,245 total annual cost (rounded).
    \101\ Calculation: $6,429,727 HR specialist cost + $47,037,793 
in-house lawyer cost = $53,467,520 total annual cost (rounded).
    \102\ Calculation: $6,429,727 HR specialist cost + $79,217,831 
in-house lawyer cost = $85,647,558 total annual cost (rounded).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For all petitioners, DHS estimates the total current cost to 
complete and file an H-1B petition for an annual filling period ranges 
from $186.3 million to $251.2 million, using lower bound and upper 
bound calculations.
b. Costs From the Registration Requirement
    In order to accurately describe the registration requirements, and 
distinguish between the petitioner under the current H-1B process, DHS 
will use the term ``registrants'' when describing impacts to employers 
intending to petition for H-1B cap-subject beneficiaries under this 
final rule. The registration requirement results in selected and 
unselected registrants. Comparing Table 4 and Table 5, DHS assumes that 
the selected registrant population is equal to the selected petitioner 
population. Similarly, DHS assumes that the unselected registrant 
population is equal to the unselected petitioner population.
    The registration requirement will impose an additional cost to all 
registrants who are seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions. 
Selected registrants will be eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject 
petition. Therefore as selected registrants under the registration 
requirement, DHS estimates current selected petitioners will incur 
additional opportunity costs of time to complete the electronic 
registration relative to the costs of completing and filing the 
associated H-1B petition. Unselected registrants will not be eligible 
to file an H-1B cap-subject petition. Therefore as unselected 
registrants under the registration requirement, DHS estimates the costs 
of this rule to unselected petitioners will only result from the 
estimated opportunity costs associated with the registration 
requirement. Overall, unselected petitioners will experience a cost 
savings relative to the current H-1B petitioning process since as 
unselected registrants they will not complete and file an entire H-1B 
cap-subject petition.
    The registration requirement will impose costs to registrants in 
terms of the opportunity costs of time to create an initial account per 
user and complete a registration for each prospective cap-subject H-1B 
worker. Additionally, under this registration requirement, 
registrations that are completed by lawyers or accredited 
representatives will require completion annually of Form G-28 once per 
lawyer-petitioner relationship. This rule will require that all who 
seek to file an H-1B cap petition (an estimated 192,918 petitions 
annually) will now be required to register. Only those whose 
registrations are selected will then be eligible to complete and file 
an H-1B cap-subject petition on behalf of a prospective H-1B worker for 
that fiscal year. DHS estimates a range of the total cost of the 
registration requirement \103\ by using the time burden estimated for 
each account creation (0.17 hours) and registration (0.5 hours) by the 
wages previously discussed for each type of petition preparer, in 
addition to the time burden to complete a Form G-28 for in-house and 
outsourced lawyers.\104\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \103\ As previously stated, DHS does not assume petitioners 
would need to expend additional funds to procure computer equipment 
or acquire internet connections because DOL already requires 
employers to use electronic filing of Labor Condition Applications 
(LCAs), and an approved LCA is a requisite for requesting an H-1B 
employee.
    \104\ Lawyers and accredited representatives who complete 
electronic registration would need to complete a paper Form G-28 and 
upload the paper form as a portable document format (PDF) file. One 
Form G-28 would need to be uploaded for each employer, and can be 
tied automatically to multiple registrations of beneficiaries under 
the same employer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Unlike the standard for current H-1B cap-subject petitions, lawyers 
and accredited representatives will not be required to file a separate 
Form G-28 for each electronic registration when submitting multiple 
registrations for the same employer. Instead, in the electronic 
registration environment, a lawyer or accredited representative that 
submits multiple electronic registrations for an employer will only be 
required to file Form G-28 once annually for that employer for purpose 
of filing H-1B cap registrations after which multiple registrations 
could be filed at various times. This creates efficiency for those 
lawyers that file multiple registrations for the same employer since 
the uploaded Form G-28 information can be provided once annually and 
linked with all registrations filed by that lawyer or accredited 
representative for that employer. Lawyers and accredited 
representatives will still be required to complete one electronic 
registration per beneficiary, and a separate Form G-28 will still be 
required for each H-1B cap-subject petition subsequently filed based on 
a selected registration.\105\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \105\ The Form G-28 submission to authorize a lawyer or 
accredited representative to file registrations for an H-1B cap-
subject petition under this rule is separate from the authorization 
that is required for an attorney or accredited representative to 
otherwise represent an applicant, petitioner, or requestor. This 
rule does not change the process or requirements related to the 
submission of Form G-28 when an applicant or petitioner files an 
application, petition, or request with USCIS. As such, petitioners 
with selected registrations who proceed to file an H-1B cap-subject 
petition will still be required to submit a properly completed Form 
G-28 if an attorney or accredited representative prepared the 
petition or will represent the petitioner in the case.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The total opportunity cost of time for an HR specialist to create 
an account will be $7.90 \106\ and to register a single beneficiary 
will be $23.24.\107\ The opportunity cost of time for an in-house 
lawyer to create an account will be $16.93,\108\ to register a single 
beneficiary will be $49.80,\109\ and to complete Form G-28 will be 
$87.65.\110\ The opportunity cost of time for an outsourced lawyer to 
create an account will be $28.99,\111\ to register a single beneficiary 
will be $85.28,\112\ and to complete Form G-28 will be $150.08.\113\ 
Therefore, based on the calculated opportunity costs of time, the total 
cost to submit a registration for a single beneficiary will be $31.14 
\114\ if submitted by an HR specialist, $154.38 \115\ if submitted by 
an in-house lawyer, and $264.35 \116\ if submitted by an outsourced 
lawyer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \106\ Calculation: $46.49 (HR wage) * 0.17 hours (time to create 
an account) = $7.90.
    \107\ Calculation: $46.49 (HR wage) * 0.5 hour (time to register 
one beneficiary) = $23.24.
    \108\ Calculation: $99.60 (in-house lawyer wage) * 0.17 hours 
(time to create an account) = $16.93.
    \109\ Calculation: $99.60 (in-house lawyer wage) * 0.5 hour 
(time to register one beneficiary) = $49.80.
    \110\ Calculation: $99.60 (in-house lawyer wage) * 0.88 hour 
(time to complete Form G-28) = $87.65.
    \111\ Calculation: $170.55 (outsourced lawyer wage) * 0.17 hours 
(time to create an account) = $28.99.
    \112\ Calculation: $170.55 (outsourced lawyer wage) * 0.5 hour 
(time to register one beneficiary) = $85.28.
    \113\ Calculation: $170.55 (outsourced lawyer wage) * 0.88 hour 
(time to complete Form G-28) = $150.08.
    \114\ Calculation: $7.90 (HR specialist account creation cost) + 
$23.24 (HR specialist registration cost) = $31.14.
    \115\ Calculation: $16.93 (in-house lawyer account creation 
cost) + $49.80 (in-house lawyer registration cost) + $87.65 (in-
house lawyer Form G-28 cost) = $154.38.
    \116\ Calculation: $28.99 (outsourced lawyer account creation 
cost) + $85.28 (outsourced lawyer registration cost) + $150.08 
(outsourced lawyer Form G-28 cost) = $264.35.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In order to estimate how many accounts will be created for 
registration of beneficiaries, DHS used historical filings to identify 
the number of unique entities filing H-1B cap-subject petitions by 
employer identification number (EIN). DHS distinguishes the

[[Page 935]]

number of filings which included a Form G-28. DHS assumes petitions 
without a Form G-28 were filed by HR specialists and petitions with a 
Form G-28 were filed by lawyers.
    Table 12 summarizes the filing history for the number of unique 
entities filing H-1B cap-subject petitions with and without associated 
Forms G-28.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.015

    For selected petitioners, DHS estimates 19,355 unique accounts will 
be created by lawyers and 2,016 unique accounts will be created by HR 
specialists for electronic registration based on the five-year 
historical averages in Table 12 (overall 21,371 unique entities). \117\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \117\ Calculation: 19,355 unique entities + 2,016 unique 
entities = 21,371 total unique entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To estimate the number of unique accounts created by lawyers and HR 
specialists for unselected petitioners, DHS applies the proportion of 
21,371 unique entities among selected petitions to unselected petitions 
(populations which are estimated in Table 4) and estimates 21,046 total 
unique entities.\118\ Furthermore, DHS reasonably estimates that 91 
percent \119\ of unique accounts will be created by lawyers and 9 
percent \120\ of unique accounts will be created by HR specialists. DHS 
applies these percentages to 21,046 total unique entities among 
unselected petitioners and estimates 19,152 \121\ unique accounts will 
be created by lawyers and 1,894 \122\ unique accounts will be created 
by HR specialists.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \118\ Calculation: 21,371 total unique entities among selected 
petitions/97,198 selected petitions = 22 percent; 22 percent * 
95,720 unselected petitions = 21,046 unique entities among 
unselected petitions.
    \119\ Calculation: 19,355/21,371 = 91 percent.
    \120\ Calculation: 2,016/21,371 = 9 percent.
    \121\ Calculation: 21,046 unique entities * 91 percent = 19,152 
unique entities.
    \122\ Calculation: 21,046 unique entities * 9 percent = 1,894 
unique entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    USCIS recognizes that a single lawyer could represent multiple 
employers seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions, however in each 
such case a lawyer will need to upload a Form G-28 to represent the 
unique lawyer and employer relationship. Therefore, DHS also uses the 
estimate of unique accounts created by lawyers as a reasonable estimate 
for the total uploads of Forms G-28 during the electronic registration 
process.
i. Cost to Selected Registrants
    The registration requirement will add an additional cost to those 
whose registrations are selected to complete and file H-1B cap-subject 
petitions. As stated in Table 5, DHS estimates 97,198 registrations 
will be selected annually. Of the 97,198 selected registrations, USCIS 
estimates 73,272 registrations will be submitted by lawyers with the 
remaining registrations (23,926) submitted by HR specialists.
    As stated previously in the calculated opportunity costs of time 
presented in section 5(a) of this analysis, the total cost to complete 
and file Form I-129 will be $704.52 and Form I-907 will be $1,433.24 
for an HR specialist who files. The total cost to complete and file 
Form I-129 will be $983.90, Form I-907 will be $1,459.80, and Form G-28 
will be $87.65 for lawyers if an in-house lawyer files. The total cost 
to complete and file Form I-129 will be $1,357.09, Form I-907 will be 
$1,495.28, and Form G-28 will be $150.08 for lawyers if an outsourced 
lawyer files.
    Table 13 shows the total estimated annual costs to complete and 
file H-1B petitions for all selected registrants who are eligible to 
proceed as a petitioner under the registration requirement. DHS 
estimates the cost to complete electronic registration account creation 
is $15,926,\123\ registration is $556,031,\124\ Form I-129 is $16.9 
million, Form I-907

[[Page 936]]

is $3.7 million, and mailing cost is $617,280 based on selected 
registrations anticipated to be prepared by an HR specialist. If 
completed by an in-house lawyer, DHS estimates the cost to complete 
electronic registration account creation is $327,680,\125\ submitting a 
Form G-28 with the registration is $1.7 million,\126\ registration is 
$3.6 million,\127\ Form I-129 is $72.1 million, Form I-907 is $31.2 
million, Form G-28 again with each petition is $6.4 million, and 
mailing cost is $1.9 million based on selected anticipated to be 
prepared by in-house lawyers. Finally, if completed by an outsourced 
lawyer, DHS estimates the cost to complete electronic registration 
account creation is $561,101,\128\ submitting a Form G-28 with the 
registration is $2.9 million,\129\ registration is $6.2 million,\130\ 
Form I-129 is $99.4 million, Form I-907 is $32.0 million, and Form G-28 
again with each petition is $11.0 million, and mailing cost is $1.9 
million based on selected registrations anticipated to be prepared by 
lawyers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \123\ Calculation: 2,016 unique HR specialists among selected 
registrations * $7.90 cost per account creation for HR specialist = 
$15,926 (rounded).
    \124\ Calculation: 23,926 selected registrations filed by HR 
specialists * $23.24 cost per registration = $556,031 (rounded).
    \125\ Calculation: 19,355 unique lawyers * $16.93 cost per 
account creation for in-house lawyer = $327,723 (rounded).
    \126\ Calculation: 19,355 unique lawyers * $87.65 cost per Form 
G-28 upload for in-house lawyer = $1,696,447 (rounded).
    \127\ Calculation: 73,272 selected petitions filed by lawyers * 
$49.80 cost per registration for in-house lawyer = $3,649,009 
(rounded).
    \128\ Calculation: 19,355 unique lawyers * $28.99 cost per 
account creation for outsourced lawyer = $561,169 (rounded).
    \129\ Calculation: 19,355 unique lawyers * $150.08 cost per Form 
G-28 upload for outsourced lawyer = $2,904,876 (rounded).
    \130\ Calculation: 73,272 selected petitions filed by lawyers * 
$85.28 cost per registration for outsourced lawyer = $6,248,304 
(rounded).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.016


[[Page 937]]


    Compared to current costs, DHS estimates the registration process 
will add a new cost of $571,957,\131\ $5.7 million,\132\ or $9.7 
million \133\ in costs to selected petitioners depending on the type of 
preparer. Per petition, as previously stated, DHS estimates the total 
cost to submit a registration for a single beneficiary will be $31.14 
if submitted by an HR specialist, $154.38 if submitted by an in-house 
lawyer, and $264.35 if submitted by an outsourced lawyer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \131\ Calculation: $15,926 + $556,031 = $571,957 (rounded).
    \132\ Calculation: $327,680 + $1,696,466 + $3,648,966 = 
$5,673,111 (rounded).
    \133\ Calculation: $561,101 + $2,904,798 + $6,248,670 = 
$9,714,570 (rounded).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

ii. Costs to Unselected Registrants
    Those whose registrations are not selected will incur new costs as 
a result from this registration requirement as well. DHS estimates 
annually 95,720 registrations will be not selected as presented in 
Table 4. Of the 95,720 unselected registrations DHS estimates 72,158 
registrations will be submitted by lawyers with the remaining 
registrations (23,562) submitted by HR specialists.
    Table 14 shows the estimated costs to unselected registrants from 
this registration requirement. DHS estimates the annual cost to 
complete electronic registration account creation is $14,963,\134\ and 
cost to complete registrations is $547,581 \135\ for HR specialists who 
submit unselected registrations. DHS estimates the annual cost to 
complete electronic registration account creation is $324,243,\136\ 
registrations is $3.6 million,\137\ and cost to complete and upload 
Form G-28 is $1.7 million \138\ for in-house lawyers who submit 
unselected registrations. Finally, DHS estimates the annual cost to 
complete electronic registration account creation is $552,216,\139\ 
registrations is $6.2 million,\140\ and cost to complete and upload 
Form G-28 is $2.9 million \141\ for outsourced lawyers who submit 
unselected registrations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \134\ Calculation: 1,894 unique HR specialists among unselected 
registrations * $7.90 opportunity cost = $14,963 (rounded).
    \135\ Calculation: 23,562 unselected registrations filed by HR 
specialists * $23.24 opportunity cost = $547,581 (rounded).
    \136\ Calculation: 19,152 unique lawyers among unselected 
registrations * $16.93 cost per account creation for in-house lawyer 
= $324,243 (rounded).
    \137\ Calculation: 72,158 unselected registrations filed by 
lawyers * $49.80 opportunity cost = $3,593,468 (rounded).
    \138\ Calculation: 19,152 Form G-28 petitions * $87.65 
opportunity cost in-house lawyer = $1,678,673 (rounded).
    \139\ Calculation: 19,152 unique lawyers among unselected 
registrations * $28.99 cost per account creation for outsourced 
lawyer = $552,216 (rounded).
    \140\ Calculation: 72,158 unselected registrations filed by 
lawyers * $85.28 opportunity cost = $6,153,634 (rounded).
    \141\ Calculation: 19,152 Form G-28 petitions * $150.08 
opportunity cost outsourced lawyer = $2,874,332 (rounded).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.017

    Table 14 demonstrates the registration process will add a new cost 
of $562,544, $5.6 million, or $9.6 million in costs to unselected 
registrants depending on the type of preparer.
iii. Total Costs for Selected and Unselected Registrants in Annual 
Filing Period
    As upper and lower bounds are discussed in section 5(a) of this 
analysis, DHS estimates total costs for an annual filing period by 
adding HR specialist costs and lawyer costs. Table 15 summarizes the 
lower bound and upper bound for selected petitioners and unselected 
registrants in an annual filing period.

[[Page 938]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.018

    In Table 15, the estimated registration costs for selected 
registrants in an annual filing period would range from $6.2 million 
\142\ to $10.3 million,\143\ depending on who registrants use to submit 
the registration. The estimated registration costs for unselected 
registrants in an annual filing period would range from $6.2 million 
\144\ to $10.1 million,\145\ again depending on who registrants use to 
submit the registration. Therefore, DHS estimates under the 
registration requirement the total registration cost to all petitioners 
for an annual filing period will range from $12.4 million to $20.4 
million, using lower bound and upper bound calculations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \142\ Calculation: $571,957 HR specialist cost + $5,673,111 in-
house lawyer cost = $6,245,069 annual costs (rounded).
    \143\ Calculation: $571,957HR specialist cost + $9,714,570 
outsourced lawyer cost = $10,286,527 annual costs (rounded).
    \144\ Calculation: $562,544 HR specialist cost + $5,596,384 in-
house lawyer cost = $6,158,928 annual costs (rounded).
    \145\ Calculation: $562,544 HR specialist cost + $9,583,182 
outsourced lawyer cost = $10,145,726 annual costs (rounded).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DHS anticipates selected registrants will complete and file H-1B 
cap-subject petitions. The total costs for all selected registrants to 
complete H-1B cap-subject petitions under the registration requirement 
will range from $134.7 million \146\ to $171.4 million,\147\ depending 
on who selected registrants use to complete the process. Under the 
registration requirement, DHS anticipates unselected registrants will 
only experience registration costs in pursuing H-1B cap-subject 
petitions. Therefore, DHS estimates the total registration costs and 
new costs associated with the H-1B cap-subject petition process are 
equal for unselected registrants, as seen in Table 15. For all 
registrants, DHS estimates the total cost to complete and file an H-1B 
petition for an annual filing period will range from $140.8 million to 
$181.5 million.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \146\ Calculation: $21,341,632 HR specialist cost + $113,317,338 
in-house lawyer cost = $134,658,970 annual costs (rounded).
    \147\ Calculation: $21,341,632 HR specialist cost + $150,035,823 
outsourced lawyer cost = $171,377,455 annual costs (rounded).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

c. Costs of the Registration Requirement to the Government
    The government will incur costs to develop the electronic 
registration requirement. In this final rule and after

[[Page 939]]

reassessing the registration requirements with USCIS' Office of 
Information Technology, DHS updates the costs associated with the 
registration website's development since the NPRM was published. USCIS 
is developing the registration website and will not need to invest in 
new hardware or other equipment during its development; USCIS will be 
able to use its current infrastructure. Therefore, the total cost of 
the registration website to the Government comes from the associated 
labor costs.
    There are two components to the registration website's development: 
the public facing user-interface and the back-end data management 
system. For the development of the user-interface component of the 
registration website, USCIS anticipates paying four contractors for six 
months for a total of approximately $790,000.\148\ For the development 
of the back-end data management system, USCIS anticipates paying about 
10 contractors for six months for a total of approximately 
$732,000.\149\ Annual maintenance of both components, including running 
the registration website servers and the labor costs associated with 
server maintenance, are reported as negligible since they are already 
covered by the current USCIS fee structure and therefore are not 
separately calculated in these total cost estimates. Any additional 
future maintenance, development, or enhancement costs to the government 
associated with the registration system will be considered in future 
USCIS fee studies and may set an appropriate fee to recover any 
additional costs not mentioned in this final rule. Accordingly, the 
total cost to the Government, which includes the development of the 
user-interface and the back-end data management system, is 
$1,522,000.\150\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \148\ Estimate provided by USCIS Office of Information 
Technololgy (OIT).
    \149\ Estimate provided by USCIS Benefits and Biometrics Branch, 
Systems Engineering Division (SED).
    \150\ Calculation: (User-interface labor costs) + (back-end data 
management system labor costs) = $790,000 + 732,000 = $1,522,000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

d. Cost to Petitioners From Reversing the Petition Selection Process
    As discussed in the population section of this analysis, under the 
current process, if more petitions are received during the first five 
business days that petitions may be filed than USCIS has projected are 
needed to meet both the regular cap and the advanced degree exemption, 
USCIS randomly selects an estimated 33,495 beneficiaries with master's 
degrees or higher from U.S. institutions of higher education in total 
between the regular cap and advanced degree exemption, which accounts 
for 17 percent of the total H-1B cap-subject petitions received.\151\ 
Under the provision to reverse the selection process, USCIS will now 
randomly select an estimated 38,835 registrations relating to 
beneficiaries with an advanced degree from a U.S. institution of higher 
education, which will account for 20 percent of the total registrations 
received by USCIS.\152\ Conversely, beneficiaries qualifying under the 
regular cap currently account for 83 percent of selected H-1B cap-
subject petitions,\153\ and under the new selection process, such 
beneficiaries will account for 80 percent of selected 
registrations.\154\ Therefore, USCIS anticipates the probability of 
randomly selecting a petition filed for a beneficiary without a 
master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education 
during the H-1B cap registration selection process under this final 
rule to fall by 3 percentage points.\155\ This could result in fewer 
selections of petitioners with H-1B cap-subject beneficiaries holding a 
bachelor's degree, an advanced degree from a U.S. for-profit 
institution of higher education, or a foreign advanced degree. This 
potential decrease could result in some higher labor costs to 
petitioners assuming that beneficiaries with bachelor's degrees, 
advanced degrees from U.S. for-profit universities or foreign advanced 
degrees are paid less than and replaced by beneficiaries with master's 
or higher degrees from U.S. institutions of higher education.\156\ 
However, more highly educated workers tend to have a higher marginal 
product of labor, which would benefit employers and could be expected 
to offset the additional wages costs. Thus, any potential wage 
differential may be more appropriately thought of as a benefit because 
it takes account of the higher value of the labor resources being 
brought to the economy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \151\ Calculation: 33,495 advanced degree Forms I-129 selected/
192,918 total H-1B cap-subject petitions * 100 = 17 percent 
(rounded).
    \152\ Calculation: 38,835 advanced degree registrations 
selected/192,918 total registrations * 100 = 20 percent (rounded).
    \153\ Calculation: 100 percent-17 percent advanced degree 
beneficiaries = 83 percent regular cap beneficiaries (rounded).
    \154\ Calculation: 100 percent-20 percent advanced degree 
beneficiaries = 80 percent regular cap beneficiaries (rounded).
    \155\ Calculation: 80 percent-83 percent = -3 percent.
    \156\ While DHS recognizes that wages paid to workers with a 
master's degrees may be higher than wages paid to workers with a 
bachelor's degree, it is unclear whether wages paid to workers with 
a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher 
education are higher than those paid to workers with a comparable 
advanced degree from a foreign educational institution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DHS has been able to develop an estimate of the aggregate increase 
in the expected number of beneficiaries with master's degrees or above 
from U.S. institutions of higher education being selected and a 
commensurate decrease in other types of workers who might otherwise be 
selected. However, DHS has not been able to determine how this may 
impact particular industries currently submitting H-1B cap petitions 
for individuals without master's degrees and above from U.S. 
institutions of higher education and how this may impact particular 
types of workers.
6. Benefits
    Under the new registration requirement, current unselected 
petitioners will benefit in the form of cost savings between the 
current and new process as unselected registrants. The benefits to 
unselected petitioners will derive from the reduced time and effort 
required to file an entire petition.
    DHS estimated that unselected petitioners experience a cost savings 
by subtracting new registration costs from the current costs of 
preparing an H-1B cap-subject petition. Unselected petitioners and the 
government will also benefit by reduced mailing expenses. Furthermore, 
DHS estimates the probability that individuals with master's or higher 
degree from a U.S. institution of higher education will become H-1B 
workers will increase. Consequently, the registration selection process 
likely will allow more cap-subject H-1B workers with a master's or 
higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education to obtain H-
1B status.
a. Benefits to Petitioners From the Registration Requirement
    Under the registration requirement, those seeking to file an H-1B 
cap-subject petition will need to create their electronic registration 
account, complete registration, and have a selected registration before 
completing and filing an H-1B cap-subject petition in a particular 
fiscal year. If USCIS selects a registration, the registrant will then 
complete and file a Form I-129 (and if necessary Form I-907 and/or Form 
G-28) on behalf of the beneficiary named in the selected registration. 
If USCIS does not select a registration, no further steps are required 
as the registrant will be ineligible to file an H-1B cap-subject 
petition for the beneficiary in the unselected registration for that 
fiscal year. The unselected registrant will only incur those 
opportunity costs of time for

[[Page 940]]

creating the electronic registration account and registering the 
beneficiary, as well as the opportunity costs of time to submit Form G-
28 if a lawyer or accredited representative completes the electronic 
registration. Overall, unselected registrants will save in costs by no 
longer having to complete and file an entire H-1B cap-subject petition 
to be selected in the H-1B lottery.
    Table 11 presents the current total costs to unselected petitioners 
in an annual filing period ranges from $53.5 million to $85.6 million, 
depending on who petitioners use to prepare the petition. These costs 
represent the opportunity costs of time to complete and file H-1B cap-
subject petitions without the filing fees since those are returned to 
petitioners as well as the costs of mailing in the petition.
    Table 15 presents the total cost to unselected registrants under 
the new registration requirement ranging from $6.1 million to $10.1 
million, again depending on the type of preparer who submits the 
registration. These costs represent the opportunity costs of time to 
submit a registration in the electronic registration system.
    DHS estimates a cost savings for unselected petitioners from the 
registration requirement by subtracting the total new costs to 
unselected registrants from the total current costs to unselected 
petitioners. As summarized in Table 16, DHS estimates the total cost 
savings will range from $47.3 million \157\ to $75.5 million,\158\ 
depending on the type of preparer. This cost savings results because 
fewer resources will be required to create an account and complete 
registration than to complete and file H-1B cap-subject petitions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \157\ Calculation: $53,467,520 (current total costs for 
unselected petitioners lower bound)-$6,158,928 (total costs for 
unselected registrants lower bound) = $47,308,592 cost savings.
    \158\ Calculation: $85,647,558 (current total costs for 
unselected petitioners upper bound)-$10,145,726 (total costs for 
unselected registrants upper bound) = $75,501,832 cost savings.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.019

    DHS estimates net quantitative impact from the registration 
requirement by subtracting the total new costs to all registrants 
(selected and unselected) from the total current costs to all 
petitioners (selected and unselected). As summarized in Table 17, DHS 
estimates the net quantitative impact of this registration requirement 
for H-1B petitioners overall is a positive net annual benefit ranging 
from $41.0 million to $65.2 million, depending on who the petitioners 
use to complete the H-1B petition process.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.020


[[Page 941]]


b. Benefits to the Government From the Registration Requirement
    USCIS will expect net cost-savings as a result of the registration 
requirement by no longer needing to receive, handle and return 
unselected H-1B cap-subject petitions back to petitioners. Table 18 
shows the costs to USCIS in FY 2017 from unselected H-1B cap-subject 
petitions at both the Vermont Service Center (VSC) and California 
Service Center (CSC), where such petitions are filed and processed. DHS 
uses the FY 2017 costs to estimate USCIS' cost savings from this final 
rule.\159\ USCIS will save $1.6 million annually by removing petition 
handling, data entering, return shipping, and other costs.
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    \159\ While DHS prefers to base assumptions on a longer time 
period (ideally years), 1 year was the longest time period for which 
this data could be reported.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.021

    As stated in the cost section of this analysis, USCIS will incur a 
one-time total cost of $1,522,000 to develop the registration website. 
To measure the net quantitative impact, USCIS estimates the difference 
between current costs associated with H-1B cap-subject petitions and 
costs estimated under the registration provision. Summarized in Table 
19, the net quantitative impact of the registration requirement for the 
government is cost savings of $90,420 in the first year, and $1.6 
million in each subsequent year.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.022

    The net quantitative impact of the registration requirement for the 
government is cost savings of $14.6 million undiscounted over 10 years 
($12.6 million discounted at 3 percent and $10.6 million discounted at 
7 percent over ten years) or an annualized cost savings of $1.4 million 
discounted at 7 percent. In addition to the estimated cost savings, 
USCIS will eliminate any potential need to manually enter petition 
information into the database to eliminate duplicate petitions in order 
to administer the random selection process. The registration system 
will allow USCIS to focus its efforts on adjudicating petitions rather 
than managing the intake, storage and return of tens of thousands of 
unselected H-1B cap-subject petitions.

[[Page 942]]

c. Net Quantitative Impacts of This Registration Requirement 
(Petitioners and Government)
    DHS estimates the net quantitative impact from the registration 
requirement by combining the net impact to petitioners and net impact 
to government as described in preceding sections.
    As summarized in Table 18, DHS estimates the net quantitative 
impact of the registration requirement for H-1B petitioners overall is 
a positive net benefit ranging from $41.0 million to $65.2 million, 
depending on who the petitioners use to complete the H-1B petition 
process. As summarized earlier, the net quantitative impact of the 
registration requirement for the government is cost savings of $90,420 
in the first year, and $1.6 million in each subsequent year. To 
estimate the net quantitative impact of the registration requirement, 
DHS calculates the cost savings for the lower bound and upper bound 
ranges using the total cost savings shown in Table 20.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.023

    Using lower bound figures, the net quantitative impact of the 
registration requirement is cost savings of $434.2 million over ten 
years. These cost savings will be $381.2 million discounted at 3 
percent over ten years and $325.7 million discounted at 7 percent over 
ten years (Table 21).

[[Page 943]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.024

    Using upper bound figures, the net quantitative impact of the 
registration requirement is cost savings of $626.8 million over ten 
years. These cost savings will be $550.5 million discounted at 3 
percent over ten years and $470.6 million discounted at 7 percent over 
ten years (Table 22).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.025


[[Page 944]]


    DHS notes that these overall cost savings result only in years when 
the demand for registrations and the subsequently filed petitions 
exceeds the number of available visas needed to meet the regular cap 
and advanced degree exemption allocation. For years where DHS has 
demand that is less than the number of available visas, the 
registration requirement will result in costs.
    DHS conducted a break-even analysis to determine how many 
registrations and subsequently filed petitions will be needed to offset 
the costs imposed by this rule. This analysis shows the number of 
registrations and subsequently filed petitions that will need to be 
received to ensure that cost-savings exceed the costs added by the 
registration requirement (Table 23).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.026

    Total costs under the registration requirement are a combination of 
costs to petitioners and costs to government, presented in Table 23 as 
a range with lower bound $153.22 million (preparer types HR specialist 
and in-house lawyer) and upper bound, $201.96 (preparer types HR 
specialist and outsourced lawyer).\160\ To calculate the number of 
petitions at which the new costs under this final rule offset the total 
cost-savings, DHS used a standard break-even formula.\161\
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    \160\ The costs to petitioners are presented in Table 15 and the 
one-time cost to government is estimated to be an annualized amount 
of $1,522,000 as detailed in the costs section of this analysis.
    \161\ DHS conducted break-even analysis through Goal Seek in 
Microsoft Excel. Goal Seek sets a formula equal to a certain target 
(0 for breakeven analysis) and solves for the value of one parameter 
at that target.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on each lower and upper bound cost estimate, DHS set receipt 
volume to the estimated number of H-1B cap-subject petitions randomly 
selected each year (97,198) and static target equal to 0 
(representative of a breakeven point) and solved for the value of how 
many petitions were needed to reach the target value of 0. From the 
resulting output, DHS estimates that 112,913 petitions (registrations 
and subsequently filed petition under this rule) will need to be 
received by USCIS for this provision to break-even based on lower bound 
costs. Another way to say this is that this rule will break-even if 
USCIS received 15,715 registrations above the numerical limitations in 
a given year for the lower bound estimate. DHS estimates USCIS will 
need to receive 112,169 registrations and subsequently filed petitions 
(or an additional 14,971 registrations above the numerical limitations) 
for the registration requirement to break-even based on upper bound 
costs. Since this government cost of $1,522,000 is a one-time cost, for 
future years DHS estimates that 109,834 petitions will need to be 
received by USCIS for this provision to break-even based on lower bound 
costs and 110,239 petitions for this provision to break-even based on 
upper bound costs.
d. Benefits to Petitioners From Reversing the Petition Selection 
Process
    As discussed in the section 4 of this analysis, USCIS currently 
randomly selects an estimated 33,495 H-1B cap-subject petitions filed 
for beneficiaries with a master's or higher degree from a U.S. 
institution of higher education (see Table 6), which accounts for 17 
percent of the total H-1B cap-subject petitions received annually. 
Under the reversal of the selection process imposed by this final rule, 
in years when the number of registrations received during the initial 
registration period exceeds the projected number of registrations 
needed to meet the numerical limits, there is a probability that USCIS 
will randomly select an estimated 38,835 registrations for 
beneficiaries with a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution 
of higher education, which would account for 20 percent of the total 
registrations received. USCIS anticipates that the probability of 
selecting registrations for H-1B beneficiaries with a master's or 
higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education will rise by 
3 percentage points, (shifting from 17 percent to 20 percent).\162\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \162\ Calculation: 20 percent--17 percent = 3 percent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. Labor Market Impacts
    Congress currently limits the number of new cap-subject H-1B 
workers to 85,000, with 20,000 visas allocated to H-1B beneficiaries 
with a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher 
education and 65,000 visas allocated to the remaining pool of H-1B 
beneficiaries that could include H-1B workers eligible for either the 
advanced degree exemption or regular cap. The new provisions requiring 
registration prior to filing an H-1B cap-subject petition, as well as 
the amendment to the order in which beneficiaries are counted toward 
the advanced degree exemption allocation and regular cap will change 
the H-1B cap-subject petitioning process. Neither of these changes will 
amend the numerical limit on individuals who may be issued H-1B visas 
or otherwise accorded H-1B status as provided by Congress. In other 
words, neither of the provisions changes the number of new H-1B workers 
entering the U.S labor force. Therefore, this rule does not directly 
impact the labor market. While this rule does not change the numbers of 
H-1B workers in the labor market, it could change the composition of 
future H-1B workers. The selection process will likely increase the 
probability that more H-1B workers with a master's or higher degree 
from a U.S. institution of higher education may obtain classification 
as H-1B workers. While some of these beneficiaries might already be in 
the U.S. labor market based on an existing nonimmigrant status and 
associated employment authorization (e.g., F-1 nonimmigrant student 
status and Optional Practical Training employment authorization), 
others will be new to the

[[Page 945]]

U.S. labor market, thereby increasing the level of H-1B workers in the 
U.S. labor market educated at a U.S. institution of higher education.
    DHS acknowledges that this regulation will likely result in a shift 
from one pool of H-1B cap-subject workers to another pool of H-1B cap-
subject workers. DHS believes it is possible that petitioning employers 
may choose to petition for a higher number of H-1B beneficiaries that 
have advanced degrees from a U.S. institution of higher learning than 
may currently be the case. However, DHS was not able to estimate the 
magnitude of such transfers. DHS recognizes that there are potential 
wage increases for those that earn a master's degree compared to those 
with only a bachelor's degree. Overall, individuals with a master's 
degree earned 19.6 percent more in wages than individuals with a 
bachelor's degree. Additionally, workers with a master's degree in 
selected STEM occupations earned between 18 and 33 percent more than 
workers with a bachelor's degree in those same occupations.\163\ 
However, due to the variability in the composition and delineation of 
workers in our H-1B petition process, DHS is not able to estimate the 
magnitude of such transfers for the specific pool of H-1B workers. 
Importantly, within the regular cap there are H-1B beneficiaries that 
have bachelor's degrees (or their equivalents) as well as beneficiaries 
that have advanced degrees from foreign institutions of higher 
education.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \163\ Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor, 
``Measuring the Value of Education April 2018'': https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2018/data-on-display/education-pays.htm. 
Visited November, 2018. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of 
Labor, ``Should I Get a Master's Degree?'': https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/should-i-get-a-masters-degree.htm#STEM. 
Visited November, 2018.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Using fully loaded wages, and assuming that there is a shift of 
about 5,000 visas from individuals in the general pool to individuals 
in the advanced degree pool, DHS finds that the rule is likely to have 
an annualized transfer of fully loaded wagesthat is greater than $100 
million.\164\ For instance, with this assumption of 5,000 visas shifted 
from individuals in the general pool to individuals in the advanced 
degree pool, the fully-loaded wages transferred will only need to 
average at least $20,000, discounted, to reach the $100 million 
threshold. DHS notes that the magnitude of such transfers are uncertain 
at this juncture given that the cap allocation process is by definition 
unpredictable, that the regular cap includes individuals with advanced 
degrees from foreign universities, and that wages can vary widely 
between occupations, as well as location of employment (e.g., New York, 
NY v. Sioux Falls, SD).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \164\ As discussed elsewhere in the document, DHS uses a 
multiplier of 1.46 to establish a fully loaded wage that accounts 
for benefits and overhead costs in addition to gross salary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Alternatives
Alternative 1: First-In, First-Out Registration Process
    In the development of this final rule, DHS considered an 
alternative to the H-1B cap registration and selection process. The 
alternative considered was a first-in, first-out registration process, 
where USCIS would select the first petitioners to complete electronic 
registrations instead of using a random sampling process. This 
alternative would simplify the selection process for USCIS. However, it 
would likely create an unfair advantage for petitioners with relatively 
greater resources to complete registrations faster and in greater 
volume than other small entities that may not have the same resources 
or experience. DHS determined that this option would unfairly 
disadvantage small entities and decided against it.
Alternative 2: Status Quo
    DHS also considered maintaining the current regulatory and policy 
guidelines for the H-1B cap selection process (the status quo 
alternative). Under this alternative, DHS would continue to expend 
resources towards opening and sorting petitions, identifying properly 
filed petitions, and removing duplicate petitions before proceeding 
with the petition selection process. In years of high petition volume, 
these duties would continue to present DHS with operational challenges 
that include greater labor needs and limited space at Service Centers 
where petitions are stored, sorted, and selected.
    Also, under the status quo, all petitioners seeking to file a 
petition on behalf of an H-1B worker would have to complete and file 
Form I-129 without any guarantee that their petition would be selected 
during the H-1B cap filing period, therefore expending time and 
resources to complete and submit the entire petition. As explained in 
section 5(a)(iii) of this analysis, under the current process, the 
total cost for all petitioners to complete and file an H-1B petition 
for an annual filling period ranges from $186.3 million to $251.2 
million, using lower bound and upper bound calculations. The status quo 
alternative is a much more costly process for petitioners as long as 
demand continues to exceed available visas. Additionally, the high 
costs of filing a full H-1B petition without the guarantee of obtaining 
a worker under the status quo could be a barrier to some small 
entities. The lower costs of a registration system could allow more 
small entities to submit a registration that otherwise may not file a 
full H-1B petition.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as 
amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 
1996, Public Law 104-121 (March 29, 1996), requires Federal agencies to 
consider the potential impact of regulations on small entities during 
the development of their rules. The term ``small entities'' comprises 
of small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are not dominant 
in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of 
less than 50,000. An ``individual'' is not defined by the RFA as a 
small entity and costs to an individual from a rule are not considered 
for RFA purposes. In addition, the courts have held that the RFA 
requires an agency to perform a regulatory flexibility analysis of 
small entity impacts only when a rule directly regulates small 
entities. Consequently, any indirect impacts from a rule to a small 
entity are not considered as costs for RFA purposes.
    This final rule may have direct impacts to those entities that 
petition on behalf of H-1B cap-subject workers. Generally, petitions 
are filed by a sponsoring employer who may incur some additional costs 
from the proposed registration requirement. Therefore, DHS examines the 
direct impact of this final rule on small entities in the analysis that 
follows.
1. Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
    Small entities primarily impacted by this final rule are those that 
would incur additional direct costs to electronically register to file 
an H-1B cap-subject petition. DHS conducted a statistically valid 
sample analysis of H-1B cap-subject petitions to determine the number 
of small entities directly impacted by this rule.\165\ These costs are 
related to the additional opportunity cost of time for a selected small 
entity

[[Page 946]]

to complete the registration process in this rule. Additionally, if a 
lawyer or other accredited representative completed the electronic 
registration on behalf of a petitioner, these additional costs will 
also include the opportunity costs of time to submit Form G-28. These 
opportunity costs of time will be an additional burden to completing 
and filing H-1B cap-subject petitions for selected entities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \165\ Although Form I-129 collects data on petitioners' numbers 
of employees and annual business income, the use of statistically 
valid random samples allow us to draw conclusions on the population 
as a whole. Additionally, more in-depth research of petitioner's 
information using this statistically valid sample ensures the 
integrity of the data needed to estimate the impact to small 
businesses likely to be affected by this proposed rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

a. A Statement of the Need for, and Objectives of, the Rule.
    The purpose of this final rule is to streamline the H-1B cap-
subject petition process. In the last several years, USCIS has received 
large numbers of H-1B cap-subject petitions in the first few days of 
the filing season that have far exceeded the annual numerical 
limitations set by Congress. DHS has found that USCIS spends an 
inordinate amount of time on handling the volume of petitions received 
within the first few days of the H-1B filing period. After expending 
USCIS resources to ensure proper processing of these petitions, USCIS 
still must reject and return petitions and associated fees that are not 
selected in the current H-1B cap-subject selection process. Petitioners 
are also adversely affected by the current petition process. Preparing 
and mailing H-1B cap-subject petitions, with the required filing fee, 
can be burdensome and costly for petitioners, especially if USCIS 
returns the petition because it was not selected in the current H-1B-
subject cap selection process. This registration process will improve 
the agency's ability to manage the H-1B cap-subject petition process 
and reduce the burden on those petitioners whose registrations are not 
selected and who are therefore ineligible to file an H-1B cap-subject 
petition for that fiscal year. Additionally, this final rule also 
amends the process by which USCIS selects H-1B petitions toward the 
projected number of petitions needed to reach the regular cap and 
advanced degree exemption. Changing the order in which petitions are 
selected will increase the probability of selecting more petitions 
under the regular cap for H-1B beneficiaries who possess a master's or 
higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education each fiscal 
year.
b. A Statement of the Significant Issues Raised by the Public Comments 
in Response to the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, a Statement 
of the Assessment of the Agency of Such Issues, and a Statement of Any 
Changes Made in the Proposed Rule as a Result of Such Comments
    Comment: A business association argued that small businesses in 
particular would be negatively impacted by the registration requirement 
as they would not have the necessary resources that would allow for 
such changes in time for the FY 2020 H-1B cap year. More specifically, 
this commenter argued that requiring the registration process for the 
FY 2020 H-1B cap season will prevent businesses from realizing the cost 
savings associated with registration because they have already expended 
resources to complete a full petition for the upcoming cap season. The 
commenter goes on to state that the registration process would 
negatively impact business across industries because it increases the 
uncertainty of obtaining their needed workforce. Also, the commenter 
was concerned with how small businesses will mitigate the 
registration's low barrier to entry, where larger companies might flood 
the system, placing small businesses at a disadvantage. Another 
commenter similarly argued that these changes would favor larger 
companies, who would obtain a larger share of H-1B visas at the expense 
of smaller companies.
    Response: DHS appreciates the commenters' concerns of the impact of 
the registration requirement on small entities. As mentioned previously 
in this final rule, USCIS will be suspending the implementation of the 
registration requirement until further notice. Therefore, due to the 
delayed implementation, entities submitting H-1B cap subject petitions 
will realize the cost savings as outlined in Executive Orders 12866 and 
13563.
    DHS disagrees with the commenter's assertion that this rule will 
increase uncertainty for entities. This final rule establishes a 
registration requirement that, when implemented, will streamline the H-
1B cap selection process. The manner of selection, however, mirrors the 
manner of selection under the current petition-based process, with the 
exception of the reversal of the selection order for the numerical 
allocations. While DHS recognizes that there is uncertainty in the 
random selection process, that uncertainty is not increased by this 
final rule or through the use of a registration system. DHS believes 
the benefits of the registration requirement, when applicable, outweigh 
the costs, and the use of a random selection process is useful to 
fairly administer the H-1B allocations in years of high demand for new 
H-1B workers. DHS points out that small entities across industries will 
benefit since they will only have to register, once registration is 
required, rather than fill out and submit an entire H-1B petition as is 
currently required. This could cause some small entities to register 
for the H-1B cap that might have not have otherwise since the costs to 
filing an entire H-1B petition are substantially higher than that of 
submitting a registration.
    DHS reiterates that competition among hiring entities will not be 
removed or impacted by the registration system. However, registration 
will ease and lower the cost of entry to allow for more participation 
by small entities than under the current process. USCIS will provide an 
initial 14-day registration period where the random lottery will be 
used if demand is high or all registrations will be selected if demand 
is below the number of registrations projected as needed to reach the 
H-1B numerical allocations. This initial registration period is 
designed to ensure fairness for small entities by avoiding massive 
submissions of registrations as soon as registration opens and thereby 
unfairly being advantageous to larger entities that may have the 
resources to submit registrations rapidly and effectively crowd-out 
smaller entities. The annual initial registration period, which will 
remain open for at least 14 days each year that registration is 
required, regardless of the number of registrations received, will 
provide smaller entities sufficient time to submit registrations 
without being crowded-out by large entities. In addition, DHS believes 
that it is speculative to conclude that the registration system would 
result in large entities crowding-out small entities any more than they 
might already have the capacity to do under the current petition based 
process given that large entities may be able to more easily incur the 
costs associated with filing a petition. DHS believes that it is 
equally possible that small entities that do not currently participate 
may be more inclined to seek to employ an H-1B worker when the 
registration requirement is implemented, given the low cost to submit a 
registration. If more small entities file registrations, it is equally 
possible that the additional rates of participation by small entities 
could reduce the overall chances of selection for large entities. 
Either way, the degree

[[Page 947]]

to which large entities may crowd-out small entities, or vice versa, is 
entirely speculative and DHS therefore does not believe that changes 
are needed to this final rule to address such speculation. DHS believes 
that the random selection process, when applicable, is sufficient to 
ensure that all registrants are considered fairly.
    Comment: Multiple commenters argued that small businesses would be 
at a disadvantage because they would need to prioritize costlier 
employees with a master's degree over an equally competent candidate 
without one.
    Response: Entities make the cost-benefit decision to hire workers 
that maximize production and profit to the entity. DHS disagrees that 
reversing the selection process always results in higher labor costs 
for entities. For example, entities could hire an H-1B worker with a 
master's degree from a U.S. higher educational institution over an H-1B 
worker with a Ph.D. from a foreign higher educational institution. 
Depending on the industry, location, etc. of the entity and worker, 
labor costs would be variable and may not always be higher.
    Comment: A commenter suggested small businesses should get an 
extended time period to better understand the rule, while another 
commenter proposed a small business exemption that would give special 
preference to the hiring needs of small businesses. Similarly, a trade 
association suggested a separate exemption pool for small businesses 
should be made within the registration process to give such firms 
greater access to H-1B visas.
    Response: DHS does not believe that small entities require special 
compliance accommodations for this rulemaking or that DHS has the 
statutory authority to provide special preference or exemptions to 
small businesses in the H-1B cap selection process. DHS is already 
delaying the implementation of the registration requirement, which DHS 
believes will be beneficial to all stakeholders involved. This delay in 
implementation and further notice from USCIS will provide small 
entities with the time necessary to adequately familiarize and plan for 
the new process.
    c. The Response of the Agency to Any Comments Filed by the Chief 
Counsel For Advocacy of the Small Business Administration in Response 
to the Proposed Rule, and a Detailed Statement of Any Change Made to 
the Proposed Rule in the Final Rule as a Result of the Comments
    The Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy provided a comment on the 
proposed rule on behalf of the Small Business Administration (SBA). DHS 
summarizes and responds to the comment as follows.
    Comment: The SBA Office of Advocacy (``Advocacy'') believes the 
registration requirement may not accomplish cost savings as estimated 
by USCIS in the NPRM in either the first year or any subsequent year. 
Advocacy believes that the registration requirement will just add 
another layer of bureaucracy to an already complicated process. 
Advocacy states that small businesses may not have cost savings in 
future years with this registration requirement because petitioners 
will hire attorneys and spend the same amount of time evaluating 
beneficiaries. Advocacy states that this rule will only make this 
process happen a month earlier than it otherwise would have under the 
current petition-based process.
    Response: DHS does not plan to implement the registration 
requirement until after the FY 2020 H-1B cap year. While this rule will 
add another step in the process, when registration is required, for 
petitioners who are selected and thus eligible to submit an H-1B cap 
petition on behalf of a beneficiary named in the applicable 
registration selection notice, this additional registration step 
considerably reduces the time for those with unselected registrations. 
DHS believes the registration requirement makes the H-1B cap selection 
process more cost effective for petitioners and the government. 
Additionally, DHS disagrees with Advocacy that this rule will not 
produce cost savings in any given year. The registration process is 
intended to collect basic questions about the petitioner and the 
intended beneficiary which could reasonably be completed without the 
aid of an attorney, compared to the current lengthy and complicated 
process that requires the filling out of an entire H-1B Form I-129 
petition. When registration is required, a petitioner could actually 
wait until after registration selection to incur the additional time 
and expense of petition preparation. Further, DHS disagrees with 
Advocacy's assertion that the registration requirement will extend the 
H-1B cap petition preparation timeline. As many commenters have 
expressed, in requesting DHS to delay implementation of the 
registration requirement, many petitioners and law firms begin the H-1B 
cap petition preparation process several months in advance of when 
petitions may be filed. As such, registration will not extend the 
timeline but rather will coincide with the existing timeline. Further, 
given the limited information needed to register, as opposed to that 
require to submit a complete H-1B cap-subject petition, the 
registration requirement may even reduce the overall timeline as 
petitioners and law firms would have the option to delay petition 
preparation until after registration selection has occurred for the 
applicable fiscal year.
    Comment: Advocacy believes that USCIS underestimated the compliance 
costs of the registration requirement. Advocacy summarizes the 
methodology USCIS used in the NPRM by stating that small entities are 
likely to employ outsourced attorneys at a total cost of $264.35 and 
that registration will only take 1.55 hours. Advocacy believes that 
USCIS should increase burden estimates to factor in that small 
businesses may have multiple registrants.
    Response: DHS disagrees with Advocacy in underestimating the costs 
of the registration requirement. DHS uses a reasonable methodology and 
approach to determine the total per petition cost of registration. DHS 
uses a loaded wage of $170.55 for outsourced lawyers to account for 
higher salaries based on national wage data and employer paid benefits 
based on compensation costs provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 
DHS uses time burdens of 0.17 hours for completion of account creation, 
0.5 hours to complete registration, and 0.88 hours for filing and 
submitting Form G-28 (total of 1.55 hours). DHS reiterates that both 
the 0.17 hours for account creation and the 0.88 hours for filing and 
submitting Form G-28 are already OMB approved information collections. 
Further, DHS continues to believe that 0.5 hours is reasonable and 
adequate time for completion of registration since the tool only 
requests basic information. DHS believes it would be erroneous to 
increase the time burden for the registration requirement. Advocacy did 
not provide an alternative methodology for determining costs or burden 
in its comment and therefore, DHS believes the current costs are 
appropriate and reasonable estimates. DHS recognizes that one 
petitioner may submit multiple registrations and already addresses 
these situations in the rule. In the Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 
sections of the NPRM and this final rule, DHS explicitly discusses that 
lawyers will only have to submit one Form G-28 when submitting multiple 
registrations for the same employer and accounts for this cost. DHS 
states that this will create efficiency for those lawyers that file 
multiple registrations for the same employer since the uploaded Form G-
28 information can be provided once annually and linked with

[[Page 948]]

all registrations filed by that lawyer or accredited representative for 
that employer. DHS also explicitly estimates the number of unique 
accounts and registrations and provides costs by preparer type in the 
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563. Therefore, DHS believes it is 
appropriate to keep the time burden estimate as proposed for the 
registration requirement in this final rule.
    Comment: Advocacy recommends re-analyzing the impact to small 
businesses resulting from the advanced degree exemption allocation 
change. Advocacy states that small start-up businesses note that most 
skilled and highest paid staffers at their tech companies often only 
have a 4-year degree and this provision may deter these types of 
companies from participating in the H-1B program. Advocacy states that 
this rule does not factor work experience of employees with a 
bachelor's degree who might be more skilled than a recent graduate 
student.
    Response: DHS does not believe that the impact to small entities 
resulting from the advanced degree exemption allocation provision needs 
to be re-analyzed. DHS was not able to quantify the impact of this 
provision because the H-1B cap selection process often involves a 
random lottery given the excess demand for new H-1B workers, and DHS 
cannot predict or control how many bachelor's or master's degree 
holders from U.S. institutions are ultimately selected during random 
selection. Additionally, DHS reiterates that the purpose of the change 
in the advanced degree exemption is to increase the probability of 
selecting more workers that have a master's degree or higher from a 
U.S. educational institution. DHS disagrees with Advocacy's conclusion 
that small entities will be deterred from participating in the H-1B 
program. DHS believes that the lower barrier in costs resulting from 
this rule will in fact increase participation by small entities.
    Comment: Advocacy states that the timing of an early registration 
process may shut small businesses out of the H-1B program who cannot 
anticipate their employment needs or may not have the necessary budget 
seven or more months in advance. They note that some small U.S. based 
IT staffing companies already find it difficult to meet the April 1st 
deadline. Additionally, Advocacy is concerned that 60 days may not be 
enough time for some small businesses to obtain the needed 
documentation to file a petition, such as a Labor Condition 
Application.
    Response: As previously stated, in each fiscal year, the 
registration period will begin at least 14 calendar days before the 
first day of petition filing and will last at least 14 calendar days. 
DHS notes that although registration will occur prior to the previous 
filing period, the process will reduce the cost, paperwork burden, and 
complexity of participation to all businesses regardless of size and 
believes this benefit outweighs any costs, including registration 
periods that are 14 calendar days prior. Additionally, and as described 
in the preamble of this final rule, DHS initially proposed a filing 
period of at least 60 days in the NPRM. In response to public comments 
stating that 60 days is an insufficient amount of time for a company to 
gather all the necessary documentation to properly file the petition, 
DHS is revising the filing period to be at least 90 days.
    Advocacy also commented on the flooding of registrations that would 
be received and the use of an improperly tested electronic system. DHS 
has provided responses to similar comments in other part of this 
preamble.
d. A Description of and an Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to 
Which the Rule Will Apply or an Explanation of Why No Such Estimate Is 
Available
    DHS conducted a statistically valid sample analysis of H-1B cap-
subject petitions to determine the maximum potential number of small 
entities directly impacted by this rule. DHS utilized a subscription-
based online database of U.S. entities, Hoovers Online, as well as two 
other open-access, free databases of public and private entities, Manta 
and Cortera, to determine the North American Industry Classification 
System (NAICS) code, revenue, and employee count for each entity.\166\ 
In order to determine a business' size, DHS first classified each 
entity by its NAICS code, and then used SBA guidelines to note the 
requisite revenue or employee count threshold for each entity. Some 
entities were classified as small based on their annual revenue and 
some by number of employees.
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    \166\ The Hoovers website can be found at http://www.hoovers.com/; The Manta website can be found at http://www.manta.com/; and the Cortera website can be found at https://www.cortera.com/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Using FY 2016 data on H-1B cap-subject petitions selected in the H-
1B cap-subject selection process, DHS collected internal data for each 
filing organization.\167\ Each entity may make multiple filings. For 
instance, there were 95,839 H-1B cap-subject petitions selected,\168\ 
but only 20,046 \169\ unique entities that filed H-1B cap-subject 
petitions. DHS devised a methodology to conduct the small entity 
analysis based on a representative, statistically valid random sample 
of the potentially impacted population. To achieve a 95 percent 
confidence level and a 5 percent confidence interval on a population of 
20,046 entities, DHS used the standard statistical formula to determine 
that a minimum sample size of 377 entities was necessary. DHS created a 
sample size 30 percent greater than the 377 minimum necessary in order 
to increase the likelihood that our matches would meet or exceed the 
minimum required sample. Of the 491 entities \170\ sampled, 385 
instances resulted in entities defined as small (Table 24). Of the 385 
small entities, 293 entities were classified as small by revenue or 
number of employees. The remaining 92 entities were classified as small 
because information was not found (either no petitioner name was found 
or no information was found in the databases). A total of 103 entities 
were classified as not small. Therefore, of the 20,046 entities that 
filed at least one Form I-129 in FY 2016, DHS estimates that 78 percent 
or 15,636 entities are considered small based on SBA size 
standards.\171\
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    \167\ USCIS Office of Performance and Qualify (OPQ), Performance 
Analysis and External Reporting (PAER), May 25, 2017.
    \168\ Number of petitions reported in this IRFA (95,839) shows 7 
more receipts than is shown in the population section of the 
Economic Analysis (95,832). This discrepancy is due to OPQ pulling 
the data for the IRFA (April 25, 2017) and the data for the Economic 
Analysis (May 22, 2017) from the same database at different times. 
During the time in between data pulls, petitioner(s) withdrew 7 H-1B 
petitions. We do not know which petitions were withdrawn. Therefore, 
the IRFA uses all petitions as of April 25, 2017.
    \169\ Number of unique entities reported in this IRFA (20,046) 
shows 426 more receipts than is shown in Table 6 of the costs 
section of the Economic Analysis (19,620). This discrepancy is due 
to OPQ pulling the data for the IRFA (April 25, 2017) and the data 
for the Economic Analysis (January 12, 2018) from the same database 
at different times. During the time in between data pulls, 
petitioner(s) withdrew H-1B petitions. We do not know which 
petitions were withdrawn. Therefore, the IRFA uses all petitions as 
of April 25, 2017.
    \170\ Calculation: 377 + (377 * 30 percent) = 491 (rounded).
    \171\ Calculation: 20,046 entities * 78 percent = 15,636 small 
entities (rounded).

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[[Page 949]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.027

    As previously stated, DHS classified each entity by its NAICS code 
to determine business' size. Table 25 shows a list of the top 10 NAICS 
industries that submit an H-1B cap petition.

[[Page 950]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.028

    The increase in cost per petition to file Form I-129 (and if 
relevant, Forms I-907 or G-28) on behalf of a cap-subject H-1B worker 
is the opportunity cost of time to create an account, complete the 
registration and file Form G-28 if registration is completed by a 
lawyer. As previously stated in section 5(b), this final rule will add 
$31.14 \172\ in costs to submit a registration for a single beneficiary 
if an HR specialist files, $152.19 \173\ in costs to submit a 
registration for a single beneficiary if an in-house lawyer files, and 
$264.35 \174\ in costs to submit a registration for a single 
beneficiary if an outsourced lawyer files (an average cost of $149.23 
per entity), which are summarized in Table 26. In order to calculate 
the impact of this increase, DHS estimates the total costs associated 
with the registration increase for each entity, divided by sales 
revenue of that entity.<SUP>175 176</SUP>
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    \172\ Calculation: $7.90 opportunity cost of account creation + 
$23.24 opportunity cost of registration = $31.14 added costs.
    \173\ Calculation: $16.93 opportunity cost of account creation + 
$49.80 opportunity cost of registration + $87.65 cost to complete 
Form G-28 for in-house lawyer = $154.38 added costs.
    \174\ Calculation: $28.99 opportunity cost of account creation + 
$85.28 opportunity cost of registration + $150.08 cost to complete 
Form G-28 for in-house lawyer = $264.35 added costs.
    \175\ For HR specialists: Total Impact to Entity = Number of 
Petitions * ($31.14)/Entity Sales Revenue. For in-house lawyers: 
Total Impact to Entity = Number of Petitions * ($154.38)/Entity 
Sales Revenue. For outsourced lawyers: Total Impact to Entity = 
Number of Petitions * ($264.35)/Entity Sales Revenue.
    \176\ USCIS used the lower end of the sales revenue range for 
those entities where ranges were provided.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA19.029


[[Page 951]]


    Since entities can file multiple petitions, this analysis uses the 
number of petitions submitted by each entity. Entities that were 
considered small based on employee count with missing revenue data were 
excluded. Among the 229 small entities with reported revenue data, the 
greatest economic impact imposed by this rule will be 2.227 percent if 
an HR specialist files, 11.035 percent if an in-house lawyer files, and 
18.896 percent if an outsourced lawyer files. The smallest economic 
impact will be 0.0001 percent if an HR specialist files, 0.0007 percent 
if an in-house lawyer files and 0.0012 percent if an outsourced lawyer 
files. The average impact on all 229 small entities with revenue data 
will be 0.186 percent if an HR specialist files, 0.921 percent if an 
in-house lawyer files and 1.576 percent if an outsourced lawyer files.
    Table 3 shows that 97,198 H-1B cap-subject petitions are selected 
annually. Table 21 shows that 78 percent of selected petitioners are 
considered small based on SBA size standards. Therefore, DHS reasonably 
assumes that of the 97,198 selected petitioner population, 75,814 \177\ 
selected petitions are submitted by small entities.
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    \177\ Calculation: 97,198 annually selected petitions * 78 
percent = 75,814 submitted by small entities (rounded).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Next, DHS estimates the number of selected small entities with 
beneficiaries holding a master's degree or higher from a U.S. 
institution of higher education. To estimate this, DHS assumes that the 
percentage of petitions for the advanced degree exemption received 
annually by USCIS (29 percent), from section 4, is a reasonable 
percentage to estimate the relevant distribution among small entities. 
As stated previously, anecdotal evidence suggests that very few 
petitions do not align with the education requirements of the numerical 
limitation under which the petition was submitted. Therefore, of the 
selected 75,814 petitions submitted by small entities, DHS estimates 
that 21,986 \178\ petitions have a beneficiary holding a master's 
degree or higher from a U.S. institution of higher education. DHS 
assumes 50,619 \179\ petitions are submitted by small entities for 
beneficiaries who have not earned a master's degree or higher from a 
U.S. institution of higher education (i.e. beneficiaries who have 
earned a bachelor's degree (or its equivalent), foreign advanced 
degree, or advanced degree from an institution in the United States 
that does not qualify as a U.S. institution of higher education as 
defined at 20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). DHS is unable to quantitatively estimate 
the impact of the new selection process on petitioning employers. DHS 
does not anticipate petitioning employers will suffer economic harm 
from the decreased probability of selecting, under the new selection 
process, an H-1B beneficiary who has not earned a master's degree or 
higher from a U.S. institution of higher education.
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    \178\ Calculation: 75,814 petitions * 29 percent = 21,986 
petitions.
    \179\ Calculation: 75,814-21,986 = 53,828 petitions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

d. A Description of the Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other 
Compliance Requirements of the Rule, Including an Estimate of the 
Classes of Small Entities That Will Be Subject to the Requirement and 
the Type of Professional Skills Necessary for Preparation of the Report 
or Record
    This final rule does not require any new professional skills for 
reporting, but does directly impose new ``reporting'' requirements in 
the form of registration for an H-1B cap subject petition. As stated 
earlier, DHS estimates that 78 percent of entities that filed at least 
one Form I-129 in FY 2016 were considered small based on SBA size 
standards. For unselected petitions the total cost will range from 
$2,324,975 to $19,736,899 depending on the preparer and for selected 
petitions the total cost for registration ranges from $2,360,862 to 
$20,041,430 depending on the preparer.\180\
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    \180\ Calculation: Unselected petitions: HR specialist = (95,720 
unselected petitions from Table 4 * 78 percent) * $31.14 from Table 
26 = $2,324,975 (rounded); In- house lawyer = (95,720 unselected 
petitions from Table 4 *78 percent) * $154.38 from Table 26 = 
$11,526,319; Outsourced lawyers = (95,720 unselected petitions from 
Table 4 * 78 percent) * $264.35 from Table 26 = $19,736,899. 
Selected petitions: HR specialists = (97,198 selected petitions from 
Table 4 * 78 percent) * $31.14 from Table 26 = $2,360,862 (rounded); 
In- house lawyer = (97,198 selected petitions from Table 4 * 78 
percent) * $154.38 from Table 26 = $11,704,165; Outsourced lawyers = 
(97,198 selected petitions from Table 4 * 78 percent) * $264.35 from 
Table 26 = $20,041,430.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

e. Description of the Steps the Agency Has Taken To Minimize the 
Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities Consistent With the 
Stated Objectives of Applicable Statutes, Including a Statement of 
Factual, Policy, and Legal Reasons for Selecting the Alternative 
Adopted in the Final Rule and Why Each One of the Other Significant 
Alternatives to the Rule Considered by the Agency Which Affect the 
Impact on Small Entities Was Rejected
    This final rule will add a registration requirement for all 
petitioners who seek to file an H-1B cap-subject petition. DHS 
considered alternative solutions that are described in further detail 
in Executive Orders 12866 and 13653. One alternative was a first-in, 
first-out registration process where USCIS would select registrations 
strictly in the order in which registrations are properly submitted. 
This alternative would not minimize the impact on small entities, but 
rather would disadvantage small entities that would have to compete 
with the resources and personnel of larger entities, which may enable 
larger entities to submit registrations faster and sooner than small 
entities. DHS decided against the alternative described.
    Additionally, the status quo alternative is a much more costly 
process for petitioners as long as demand continues to exceed available 
visas. The high costs of filing a full H-1B petition without the 
guarantee of obtaining a worker under the status quo could be a barrier 
to some small entities. The lower costs of a registration system could 
allow more small entities to submit a registration that otherwise may 
not file a full H-1B petition.

C. Executive Order 13771(Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory 
Costs)

    Executive Order (E.O.) 13771 on Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs requires all agencies to repeal or revise at least two 
existing regulations, guidance documents, or information collections 
with costs less than zero whenever a new final regulation will have 
costs greater than zero. Under E.O. 13771 any new incremental costs 
associated with the proposed regulation must be offset by the 
elimination of existing costs associated with a repealed or revised 
regulation or other applicable document. Additionally, no regulation 
can exceed DHS' total incremental cost allowance set by the OMB 
Director, unless a waiver is obtained from OMB. For FY 2019, OMB has 
set a regulatory cost threshold of $0 for DHS.
    DHS's analysis finds that this final rule is expected to result in 
annual net benefits ranging from $43 million to $63 million mainly due 
to the reduction in time burden of unselected petitioners who would no 
longer have to complete and file H-1B cap-subject petitions. Since this 
rule reduces costs and time burden, the rule is considered to be a 
deregulatory action for the purposes of E.O. 13771. The cumulative cost 
savings in perpetually annualized 2016 dollars at 7 percent ranges 
between $35,517,898 and $51,204,860. DHS notes, however, that these 
cost savings assume that there is no expansion in the number of 
registrations. Given the lower barrier to submitting a registration as 
compared to

[[Page 952]]

submitting a petition, DHS believes that it is likely that more 
registrations will be received under the rule than the agency currently 
receives in petitions--particularly because DHS will not be charging a 
fee for registration under this rule at this time. If there is, in 
fact, an expansion in the number of registrations, the cost savings 
would be reduced. DHS is uncertain of the extent to which registrations 
will increase and thus cannot estimate the degree to which cost savings 
would be reduced at this time.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) is intended, among 
other things, to curb the practice of imposing unfunded Federal 
mandates on State, local, and tribal governments. Title II of the UMRA 
requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement assessing 
the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final agency rule 
that may result in a $100 million or more expenditure (adjusted 
annually for inflation) in any one year by State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector. The value 
equivalent of $100 million in 1995 adjusted for inflation to 2017 
levels by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) is 
$161 million.
    This final rule does not exceed the $100 million expenditure in any 
1 year when adjusted for inflation ($161 million in 2017 dollars), and 
this rulemaking does not contain such mandates. The requirements of 
Title II of the Act, therefore, do not apply, and the Department has 
not prepared a statement under the Act.

E. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    This final rule is not a major rule as defined by section 804 of 
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Act of 1996. This final rule 
will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or 
more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse 
effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, 
innovation, or on the ability of United States-based companies to 
compete with foreign-based companies in domestic and export markets. 
However, as some small businesses may be impacted under this 
regulation, DHS has prepared a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 
(FRFA) under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).

F. Congressional Review Act

    DHS has sent this final rule to the Congress and to Comptroller 
General under the Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq. This 
rule is a ``major rule'' within the meaning of the Congressional Review 
Act and therefore has a 60-day delayed effective date.

G. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    This final rule will not have substantial direct effects on the 
States, on the relationship between the National Government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with section 6 
of E.O. 13132, DHS has determined that this rulemaking does not have 
significant Federalism implications to warrant the preparation of 
federalism summary impact statement.

H. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

    This final rule meets the applicable standards set forth in 
sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.

I. National Environmental Policy Act

    DHS analyzes actions to determine whether NEPA applies to them and, 
if so, what degree of analysis is required. DHS Directive (Dir) 023-01 
Rev. 01 and Instruction (Inst.) 023-01-001 rev. 01 establish the 
procedures that DHS and its components use to comply with NEPA and the 
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing 
NEPA, 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508. The CEQ regulations allow federal 
agencies to establish, with CEQ review and concurrence, categories of 
actions (``categorical exclusions'') which experience has shown do not 
individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human 
environment and, therefore, do not require an Environmental Assessment 
(EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 40 CFR 1507.3(b)(1)(iii), 
1508.4. DHS Instruction 023-01-001 Rev. 01 establishes such Categorical 
Exclusions that DHS has found to have no such effect. Inst. 023-01-001 
Rev. 01 Appendix A Table 1. For an action to be categorically excluded, 
DHS Inst. 023-01-001 Rev. 01 requires the action to satisfy each of the 
following three conditions: (1) The entire action clearly fits within 
one or more of the Categorical Exclusions; (2) the action is not a 
piece of a larger action; and (3) no extraordinary circumstances exist 
that create the potential for a significant environmental effect. Inst. 
023-01-001 Rev. 01 section V.B (1)-(3).
    DHS analyzed this action and has concluded that NEPA does not apply 
due to the excessively speculative nature of any effort to conduct an 
impact analysis. Nevertheless, if NEPA did apply to this action, the 
action clearly would come within our categorical exclusion A.3(d) as 
set forth in DHS Inst. 023-01-001 Rev. 01, Appendix A, Table 1.
    As discussed in more detail throughout this final rule, this rule 
will require petitioners seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions to 
first electronically register with USCIS during a designated 
registration period. Unless the registration requirement is suspended 
by USCIS, in order to properly file an H-1B cap-subject petition, the 
petitioner must have a selected registration for the beneficiary named 
in the H-1B cap-subject petition for the applicable fiscal year. In 
addition, this final rule changes the order in which USCIS selects H-1B 
beneficiaries who may be counted toward the projected number of 
petitions needed to reach the H-1B regular cap (65,000) or the H-1B 
advanced degree exemption allocation (20,000). Under this final rule, 
USCIS will select registrations (petitions, if the registration 
requirement is suspended) under the regular cap first, including 
registrations for beneficiaries eligible for the advanced degree 
exemption, until the projected number needed to meet the regular cap is 
reached, and only then will USCIS select registrations that are 
eligible for the advanced degree exemption until the projected number 
needed to meet the advanced degree exemption allocation is reached. 
This change will likely increase the number of beneficiaries with a 
master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education 
that would be selected. However, this rule does not alter the statutory 
limitations on the numbers of nonimmigrants who may be issued new H-1B 
visas or granted initial H-1B status, or who will consequently be 
admitted into the United States as H-1B nonimmigrants, or allowed to 
change their status to H-1B, or extend their stay in H-1B status. This 
rule is not part of a larger action and presents no extraordinary 
circumstances creating the potential for significant environmental 
effects. Therefore, if NEPA were determined to apply, this rule would 
be categorically excluded from further NEPA review.

[[Page 953]]

J. Paperwork Reduction Act

USCIS H-1B Registration Tool
    The final rule will require that petitioners submit a registration 
for each beneficiary for whom they wish to file an H-1B cap-subject 
petition via Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, unless the 
registration requirement is suspended by USCIS. USCIS has addressed 
comments received on the registration information collection in the 
responses above, and has updated the information collection. USCIS will 
publish a notice in the Federal Register to announce that it is 
implementing the registration requirement in advance of the cap season 
during which the registration requirement will be in effect for the 
first time.
    a. Type of Information Collection: New information collection.
    b. Abstract: The data collected during the H-1B Registration 
process will determine which petitioners will be informed that they may 
submit a USCIS Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, as an H-1B 
cap-subject nonimmigrant petition. USCIS will collect the minimum 
amount of information needed to identify the prospective H-1B cap-
subject petitioner and the named beneficiary, to eliminate duplicate 
registrations, and to match selected registrations with subsequently 
filed Form I-129 H-1B cap-subject petitions.
    c. Title of the Form/Collection: H-1B Registration Tool.
    d. Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
DHS sponsoring the collection: No Agency Form Number; USCIS.
    e. Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract: Business or other for-profit.
    f. An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of 
time estimated for an average respondent to respond: The estimated 
total number of respondents for the information collection H-1B 
Registration Tool is 192,918 and the estimated hour burden per response 
is .5 hours.
    g. Hours per response: The total estimated annual hour burden 
associated with this collection is 96,459 hours.
    h. Total Annual Reporting Burden: The estimated total annual cost 
burden associated with this collection of information is $0.
USCIS Form I-129
    USCIS is revising the estimated number of respondents for Form I-
129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, but is not changing the time 
burden per response as no changes were made to this collection of 
information.
    a. Type of Information Collection: Revision of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
    b. Abstract: USCIS uses the data collected on this form to 
determine eligibility for the requested nonimmigrant petition and/or 
requests to extend or change nonimmigrant status. An employer (or 
agent, where applicable) uses this form to petition USCIS for an alien 
to temporarily enter as a nonimmigrant in certain classifications. An 
employer (or agent, where applicable) also uses this form to request an 
extension of stay or change of status on behalf of the alien worker. 
The form serves the purpose of standardizing requests for certain 
nonimmigrant workers, and ensuring that basic information required for 
assessing eligibility is provided by the petitioner while requesting 
that beneficiaries be classified under certain nonimmigrant employment 
categories. It also assists USCIS in compiling information required by 
Congress annually to assess effectiveness and utilization of certain 
nonimmigrant classifications.
    c. Title of the Form/Collection: Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker.
    d. Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
DHS sponsoring the collection: I-129; USCIS.
    e. Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract: Business or other for-profit.
    f. An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of 
time estimated for an average respondent to respond: The estimated 
total number of respondents for the information collection I-129 is 
294,751 and the estimated hour burden per response is 2.34 hours; the 
estimated total number of respondents for the information collection E-
1/E-2 Classification Supplement to Form I-129 is 4,760 and the 
estimated hour burden per response is 0.67; the estimated total number 
of respondents for the information collection Trade Agreement 
Supplement to Form I-129 is 3,057 and the estimated hour burden per 
response is 0.67; the estimated total number of respondents for the 
information collection H Classification Supplement to Form I-129 is 
96,291 and the estimated hour burden per response is 2; the estimated 
total number of respondents for the information collection H-1B and H-
1B1 Data Collection and Filing Fee Exemption Supplement is 96,291 and 
the estimated hour burden per response is 1; the estimated total number 
of respondents for the information collection L Classification 
Supplement to Form I-129 is 37,831 and the estimated hour burden per 
response is 1.34; the estimated total number of respondents for the 
information collection O and P Classifications Supplement to Form I-129 
is 22,710 and the estimated hour burden per response is 1; the 
estimated total number of respondents for the information collection Q-
1 Classification Supplement to Form I-129 is 155 and the estimated hour 
burden per response is 0.34; the estimated total number of respondents 
for the information collection R-1 Classification Supplement to Form I-
129 is 6,635 and the estimated hour burden per response is 2.34.
    g. Hours per response: The total estimated annual hour burden 
associated with this collection is 1,072,810 hours.
    h. Total Annual Reporting Burden: The estimated total annual cost 
burden associated with this collection of information is $70,680,553.
USCIS Form G-28
    USCIS is revising the estimated number of respondents for Form G-
28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited 
Representative; Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney In Matters 
Outside the Geographical Confines of the United States.
    a. Type of Information Collection: Revision of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
    b. Abstract: The data collected on Forms G-28 and G-28I is used by 
DHS to determine eligibility of the individual to appear as a 
representative. Form G-28 is used by attorneys admitted to the practice 
of law in the United States and accredited representatives of certain 
non-profit organizations recognized by the Department of Justice. Form 
G-28I is used by attorneys admitted to the practice of law in countries 
other than the United States and only in matters in DHS offices outside 
the geographical confines of the United States. If the representative 
is eligible, the form is filed with the case and the information is 
entered into DHS systems for whatever type of application or petition 
it may be.
    c. Title of the Form/Collection: Notice of Entry of Appearance as 
Attorney or Accredited Representative; Notice of Entry of Appearance as 
Attorney In matters Outside the Geographical Confines of the United 
States.
    d. Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
DHS sponsoring the collection: G-28; G-28I; USCIS.

[[Page 954]]

    e. Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract: Primary: Business or other for-profit.
    f. An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of 
time estimated for an average respondent to respond: The estimated 
total number of respondents for the information collection G-28 paper 
filing is 2,638,276 and the estimated hour burden per response is 0.833 
hours; the estimated total number of respondents for the information 
collection G-28 electronic filing is 281,950 and the estimated hour 
burden per response is 0.667 hours; the estimated total number of 
respondents for the information collection G-28I is 25,057 and the 
estimated hour burden per response is 0.700 hours.
    g. Hours per response: The total estimated annual hour burden 
associated with this collection is 2,403,285 hours.
    h. Total Annual Reporting Burden: The estimated total annual cost 
burden associated with this collection of information is $0.
USCIS ICAM
    USCIS is revising the estimated number of respondents for the 
Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) information 
collection.
    a. Type of Information Collection: Revision of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
    b. Abstract: In order to interact with USCIS electronic systems 
accessible through the USCIS ICAM portal, a first-time user must 
establish an account. The account creation process requires the user to 
submit a valid email address; create a password; select their 
preference for receiving a one-time password (via email, mobile phone, 
or both); select five password reset questions and responses; and 
indicate the account type they want to set up (customer or legal 
representative). The account creation and the account login processes 
both require the user to receive and submit a one-time password. The 
one-time password can be provided either as an email to an email 
address or to a mobile phone via text message.
    USCIS ICAM currently grants access to myUSCIS and the information 
collections available for online filing. ICAM would also be the portal 
through which accounts to submit H-1B cap registrations would be 
created and accessed.
    c. Title of the Form/Collection: USCIS Identity and Credentialing 
Access Management (ICAM).
    d. Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
DHS sponsoring the collection: No Form; USCIS.
    e. Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract: Primary: Individuals or households.
    f. An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of 
time estimated for an average respondent to respond: The estimated 
total number of respondents for the information collection ICAM is 
2,813,225 and the estimated hour burden per response is 0.167 hours.
    g. Hours per response: The total estimated annual hour burden 
associated with this collection is 469,809 hours.
    h. Total Annual Reporting Burden: The estimated total annual cost 
burden associated with this collection of information is $0.

List of Subjects in 8 CFR Part 214

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Cultural exchange 
programs, Employment, Foreign officials, Health professions, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements, Students.

    Accordingly, DHS amends part 214 of chapter I of title 8 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 214--NONIMMIGRANT CLASSES

0
1. The authority citation for part 214 continues to read as follows:

     Authority: 6 U.S.C. 202, 236; 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1102, 1103, 1182, 
1184, 1186a, 1187, 1221, 1281, 1282, 1301-1305 and 1372; sec. 643, 
Pub. L. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009-708; Pub. L. 106-386, 114 Stat. 
1477-1480; section 141 of the Compacts of Free Association with the 
Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall 
Islands, and with the Government of Palau, 48 U.S.C. 1901 note, and 
1931 note, respectively; 48 U.S.C. 1806; 8 CFR part 2.


0
 2. Section 214.2 is amended by:
0
 a. Redesignating paragraph (h)(9)(i)(B) as paragraph (h)(2)(i)(I) and 
revising it;
0
 b. Adding paragraph (h)(8)(iii);
0
 c. Redesignating paragraph (h)(8)(ii)(F) as paragraph (h)(8)(iii)(F);
0
 d. In newly redesignated paragraphs (h)(8)(iii)(F)(6)(i) and (ii), 
removing the reference to ``(h)(8)(ii)(F)(6)'' and adding in its place 
``(h)(8)(iii)(F)(6)'';
0
 e. Removing paragraph (h)(8)(ii)(B);
0
 f. Redesignating paragraphs (h)(8)(ii)(C) and (D) as paragraphs 
(h)(8)(ii)(B) and (C), respectively;
0
 g. Redesignating paragraphs (h)(8)(ii)(E) introductory text and 
(h)(8)(ii)(E)(1) through (6) as paragraphs (h)(8)(vi) introductory text 
and (h)(8)(vi)(A) through (F), respectively;
0
 h. Adding paragraphs (h)(8)(iv) and (v);
0
 i. Adding a heading for newly redesignated paragraph (h)(8)(vi);
0
j. In newly redesignated paragraph (h)(8)(vi)(A), removing the 
reference to ``(h)(8)(ii)(F)(3)'' and adding in its place 
``(h)(8)(vi)(C)'';
0
k. In newly redesignated paragraph (h)(8)(vi)(B), removing the 
references to ``(h)(8)(ii)(F)(1)'' and ``(h)(8)(ii)(F)(3)'' and adding 
in their place ``(h)(8)(vi)(A)'' and ``(h)(8)(vi)(C),'' respectively;
0
 l. Adding paragraph (h)(8)(vii); and
0
 m. Revising paragraph (h)(9)(i).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  [thinsp]214.2   Special requirements for admission, extension, 
and maintenance of status.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (I) Time of filing. A petition filed under section 101(a)(15)(H) of 
the Act may not be filed earlier than 6 months before the date of 
actual need for the beneficiary's services or training.
* * * * *
    (8) * * *
    (iii) H-1B numerical limitations--(A) Registration--(1) 
Registration requirement. Except as provided in paragraph (h)(8)(iv) of 
this section, before a petitioner can file an H-1B cap-subject petition 
for a beneficiary who may be counted under section 214(g)(1)(A) of the 
Act (``H-1B regular cap'') or eligible for exemption under section 
214(g)(5)(C) of the Act (``H-1B advanced degree exemption''), the 
petitioner must register to file a petition on behalf of an alien 
beneficiary electronically through the USCIS website (www.uscis.gov). 
To be eligible to file a petition for a beneficiary who may be counted 
against the H-1B regular cap or the H-1B advanced degree exemption for 
a particular fiscal year, a registration must be properly submitted in 
accordance with 8 CFR 103.2(a)(1), paragraph (h)(8)(iii) of this 
section and the form instructions. A petitioner may file an H-1B cap-
subject petition on behalf of a registered beneficiary only after the 
petitioner's registration for that beneficiary has been selected for 
that fiscal year. USCIS will notify the petitioner of the selection of 
the petitioner's registered beneficiaries.
    (2) Limitation on beneficiaries. A petitioner must electronically 
submit a separate registration to file a petition for each beneficiary 
it seeks to register, and each beneficiary must be named. A petitioner 
may only submit one registration per beneficiary in any fiscal year. If 
a petitioner submits more than one registration per beneficiary in the

[[Page 955]]

same fiscal year, all registrations filed by that petitioner relating 
to that beneficiary for that fiscal year will be considered invalid.
    (3) Initial registration period. The annual initial registration 
period will last a minimum of 14 calendar days and will start at least 
14 calendar days before the earliest date on which H-1B cap-subject 
petitions may be filed for a particular fiscal year, consistent with 
paragraph (h)(2)(i)(I) of this section. USCIS will announce the start 
and end dates of the initial registration period on the USCIS website 
at www.uscis.gov for each fiscal year. USCIS will announce the start of 
the initial registration period at least 30 calendar days in advance of 
such date.
    (4) Limitation on requested start date. A petitioner may submit a 
registration during the initial registration period only if the 
requested start date for the beneficiary is the first day for the 
applicable fiscal year. If USCIS keeps the registration period open 
beyond the initial registration period, or determines that it is 
necessary to re-open the registration period, a petitioner may submit a 
registration with a requested start date after the first business day 
for the applicable fiscal year, as long as the date of registration is 
no more than 6 months before the requested start date.
    (5) Regular cap selection. In determining whether there are enough 
registrations to meet the H-1B regular cap, USCIS will consider all 
properly submitted registrations relating to beneficiaries that may be 
counted under section 214(g)(1)(A) of the Act, including those that may 
also be eligible for exemption under section 214(g)(5)(C) of the Act.
    (i) Fewer registrations than needed to meet the H-1B regular cap. 
At the end of the annual initial registration period, if USCIS 
determines that it has received fewer registrations than needed to meet 
the H-1B regular cap, USCIS will notify all petitioners that have 
properly registered that their registrations have been selected. USCIS 
will keep the registration period open beyond the initial registration 
period, until it determines that it has received a sufficient number of 
registrations to meet the H-1B regular cap. Once USCIS has received a 
sufficient number of registrations to meet the H-1B regular cap, USCIS 
will no longer accept registrations for petitions subject to the H-1B 
regular cap under section 214(g)(1)(A). USCIS will monitor the number 
of registrations received and will notify the public of the date that 
USCIS has received the necessary number of registrations (the ``final 
registration date''). The day the public is notified will not control 
the applicable final registration date. When necessary to ensure the 
fair and orderly allocation of numbers under Section 214(g)(1)(A) of 
the Act, USCIS may randomly select the remaining number of 
registrations deemed necessary to meet the H-1B regular cap from among 
the registrations received on the final registration date. This random 
selection will be made via computer-generated selection.
    (ii) Sufficient registrations to meet the H-1B regular cap during 
initial registration period. At the end of the initial registration 
period, if USCIS determines that it has received more than sufficient 
registrations to meet the H-1B regular cap, USCIS will no longer accept 
registrations under section 214(g)(1)(A) of the Act and will notify the 
public of the final registration date. USCIS will randomly select from 
among the registrations properly submitted during the initial 
registration period the number of registrations deemed necessary to 
meet the H-1B regular cap. This random selection will be made via 
computer-generated selection.
    (6) Advanced degree exemption selection. After USCIS has determined 
it will no longer accept registrations under section 214(g)(1)(A) of 
the Act, USCIS will determine whether there is a sufficient number of 
remaining registrations to meet the H-1B advanced degree exemption.
    (i) Fewer registrations than needed to meet the H-1B advanced 
degree exemption numerical limitation. If USCIS determines that it has 
received fewer registrations than needed to meet the H-1B advanced 
degree exemption numerical limitation, USCIS will notify all 
petitioners that have properly registered that their registrations have 
been selected. USCIS will continue to accept registrations to file 
petitions that may be eligible for the H-1B advanced degree exemption 
under section 214(g)(5)(C) of the Act until USCIS determines that it 
has received enough registrations to meet the H-1B advanced degree 
exemption numerical limitation. USCIS will monitor the number of 
registrations received and will notify the public of the date that 
USCIS has received the necessary number of registrations (the ``final 
registration date''). The day the public is notified will not control 
the applicable final registration date. When necessary to ensure the 
fair and orderly allocation of numbers under Section 214(g)(1)(A) of 
the Act, USCIS may randomly select the remaining number of 
registrations deemed necessary to meet the H-1B advanced degree 
exemption numerical limitation from among the registrations properly 
submitted on the final registration date. This random selection will be 
made via computer-generated selection.
    (ii) Sufficient registrations to meet the H-1B advanced degree 
exemption numerical limitation. If USCIS determines that it has 
received more than enough registrations to meet the H-1B advanced 
degree exemption numerical limitation, USCIS will no longer accept 
registrations that may be eligible for exemption under section 
214(g)(5)(C) of the Act and will notify the public of the final 
registration date. USCIS will randomly select the number of 
registrations needed to meet the H-1B advanced degree exemption 
numerical limitation from among the remaining registrations that may be 
counted against the advanced degree exemption numerical limitation. 
This random selection will be made via computer-generated selection.
    (7) Increase to the number of registrations projected to meet the 
H-1B regular cap or advanced degree exemption allocations in a fiscal 
year. Unselected registrations will remain on reserve for the 
applicable fiscal year. If USCIS determines that it needs to increase 
the number of registrations projected to meet the H-1B regular cap or 
advanced degree exemption allocation, and select additional 
registrations, USCIS will select from among the registrations that are 
on reserve a sufficient number to meet the H-1B regular cap or advanced 
degree exemption numerical limitation, as applicable. If all of the 
registrations on reserve are selected and there are still fewer 
registrations than needed to meet the H-1B regular cap or advanced 
degree exemption numerical limitation, as applicable, USCIS may reopen 
the applicable registration period until USCIS determines that it has 
received a sufficient number of registrations projected as needed to 
meet the H-1B regular cap or advanced degree exemption numerical 
limitation. USCIS will monitor the number of registrations received and 
will notify the public of the date that USCIS has received the 
necessary number of registrations (the new ``final registration 
date''). The day the public is notified will not control the applicable 
final registration date. When necessary to ensure the fair and orderly 
allocation of numbers, USCIS may randomly select the remaining number 
of registrations deemed necessary to meet the H-1B regular cap or 
advanced degree exemption numerical limitation from among the 
registrations properly submitted on the final registration date. If the 
registration period will be re-opened, USCIS will announce the start of 
the re-opened

[[Page 956]]

registration period on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov.
    (B) Confirmation. Petitioners will receive electronic notification 
that USCIS has accepted a registration for processing.
    (C) Notification to file H-1B cap-subject petitions. USCIS will 
notify all petitioners with selected registrations that the petitioner 
is eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition on behalf of the 
beneficiary named in the notice within the filing period indicated on 
the notice.
    (D) H-1B cap-subject petition filing following registration--(1) 
Filing procedures. In addition to any other applicable requirements, a 
petitioner may file an H-1B petition for a beneficiary that may be 
counted under section 214(g)(1)(A) or eligible for exemption under 
section 214(g)(5)(C) of the Act only if the petitioner's registration 
to file a petition on behalf of the beneficiary named in the petition 
was selected beforehand by USCIS and only within the filing period 
indicated on the notice. A petitioner may not substitute the 
beneficiary named in the original registration or transfer the 
registration to another petitioner. If a petitioner files an H-1B cap-
subject petition based on a registration that was not selected 
beforehand by USCIS, or based on a registration for a different 
beneficiary than the beneficiary named in the petition, the H-1B cap-
subject petition will be denied or rejected.
    (2) Filing period. An H-1B cap-subject petition must be properly 
filed within the filing period indicated on the relevant selection 
notice. The filing period for filing the H-1B cap-subject petition will 
be at least 90 days. If petitioners do not meet these requirements, 
USCIS will deny or reject the H-1B cap-subject petition.
    (E) Calculating the number of registrations needed to meet the H-1B 
regular cap and H-1B advanced degree exemption allocation. When 
calculating the number of registrations needed to meet the H-1B regular 
cap and the H-1B advanced degree exemption numerical limitation for a 
given fiscal year, USCIS will take into account historical data related 
to approvals, denials, revocations, and other relevant factors. If 
necessary, USCIS may increase those numbers throughout the fiscal year.
* * * * *
    (iv) Suspension of registration requirement--(A) Determination to 
suspend registration requirement. USCIS may suspend the H-1B 
registration requirement, in its discretion, if it determines that the 
registration process is inoperable for any reason. If USCIS suspends 
the registration requirement, USCIS will make an announcement of the 
suspension on its website (http://www.uscis.gov) along with the opening 
date of the applicable H-1B cap-subject petition-filing period.
    (B) Petition-based cap-subject selections in event of suspended 
registration process. In any year in which USCIS suspends the H-1B 
registration process for cap-subject petitions, USCIS will allow for 
the submission of H-1B petitions notwithstanding paragraph (h)(8)(iii) 
of this section and conduct a cap-subject selection process based on 
the petitions that are received. USCIS will deny petitions indicating 
that they are exempt from the H-1B regular cap and the H-1B advanced 
degree exemption if USCIS determines, after the final receipt date, 
that they are not eligible for the exemption sought. If USCIS 
determines, on or before the final receipt date, that the petition is 
not eligible for the exemption sought, USCIS may consider the petition 
under the applicable numerical allocation and proceed with processing 
of the petition. If a petition is denied under this paragraph 
(h)(8)(iv)(B), USCIS will not return or refund filing fees.
    (1) H-1B regular cap selection in event of suspended registration 
process. In determining whether there are enough H-1B cap-subject 
petitions to meet the H-1B regular cap, USCIS will consider all 
petitions properly submitted in accordance with 8 CFR 103.2 relating to 
beneficiaries that may be counted under section 214(g)(1)(A) of the 
Act, including those that may be eligible for exemption under section 
214(g)(5)(C) of the Act. When calculating the number of petitions 
needed to meet the H-1B regular cap USCIS will take into account 
historical data related to approvals, denials, revocations, and other 
relevant factors. USCIS will monitor the number of petitions received 
and will announce on its website the date that it receives the number 
of petitions projected as needed to meet the H-1B regular cap (the 
``final receipt date''). The date the announcement is posted will not 
control the final receipt date. When necessary to ensure the fair and 
orderly allocation of numbers under the H-1B regular cap, USCIS may 
randomly select via computer-generated selection the remaining number 
of petitions deemed necessary to meet the H-1B regular cap from among 
the petitions properly submitted on the final receipt date. If the 
final receipt date is any of the first five business days on which 
petitions subject to the H-1B regular cap may be received (i.e., if the 
cap is reached on any one of the first five business days that filings 
can be made), USCIS will randomly select from among all the petitions 
properly submitted during the first five business days the number of 
petitions deemed necessary to meet the H-1B regular cap. After any 
random selection under this paragraph (h)(8)(iv)(B)(1), petitions that 
are subject to the H-1B regular cap and that do not qualify for the H-
1B advanced degree exemption will be rejected if they are not randomly 
selected or were received after the final receipt date.
    (2) Advanced degree exemption selection in event of suspended 
registration process. After USCIS has received a sufficient number of 
petitions to meet the H-1B regular cap and, as applicable, completed 
the random selection process of petitions for the H-1B regular cap, 
USCIS will determine whether there is a sufficient number of remaining 
petitions to meet the H-1B advanced degree exemption numerical 
limitation. When calculating the number of petitions needed to meet the 
H-1B advanced degree exemption numerical limitation USCIS will take 
into account historical data related to approvals, denials, 
revocations, and other relevant factors. USCIS will monitor the number 
of petitions received and will announce on its website the date that it 
receives the number of petitions projected as needed to meet the H-1B 
advanced degree exemption numerical limitation (the ``final receipt 
date''). The date the announcement is posted will not control the final 
receipt date. When necessary to ensure the fair and orderly allocation 
of numbers under the H-1B advanced degree exemption, USCIS may randomly 
select via computer-generated selection the remaining number of 
petitions deemed necessary to meet the H-1B advanced degree exemption 
numerical limitation from among the petitions properly submitted on the 
final receipt date. If the final receipt date is any of the first five 
business days on which petitions subject to the H-1B advanced degree 
exemption may be received (i.e., if the numerical limitation is reached 
on any one of the first five business days that filings can be made), 
USCIS will randomly select from among all the petitions properly 
submitted during the first five business days the number of petitions 
deemed necessary to meet the H-1B advanced degree exemption numerical 
limitation. After any random selection under this paragraph 
(h)(8)(iv)(B)(2), petitions that are not randomly selected or that were 
received

[[Page 957]]

after the final receipt date will be rejected.
    (v) Severability. The requirement to submit a registration for an 
H-1B cap-subject petition and the selection process based on properly 
submitted registrations under paragraphs (h)(8)(iii) of this section 
are intended to be severable from paragraph (h)(8)(iv) of this section. 
In the event paragraph (h)(8)(iii) is not implemented, or in the event 
that paragraph (h)(8)(iv) is not implemented, DHS intends that either 
of those provisions be implemented as an independent rule, without 
prejudice to petitioners in the United States under this regulation, as 
consistent with law.
    (vi) H-1C numerical limitations.* * *
    (vii) H-2B numerical limitations. When calculating the numerical 
limitations under section 214(g)(1)(B) and 214(g)(10) of the Act for a 
given fiscal year, USCIS will make numbers available to petitions in 
the order in which the petitions are filed. USCIS will make projections 
of the number of petitions necessary to achieve the numerical limit of 
approvals, taking into account historical data related to approvals, 
denials, revocations, and other relevant factors. USCIS will monitor 
the number of petitions (including the number of beneficiaries 
requested when necessary) received and will notify the public of the 
date that USCIS has received the necessary number of petitions (the 
``final receipt date''). The day the public is notified will not 
control the final receipt date. When necessary to ensure the fair and 
orderly allocation of numbers subject to the numerical limitations in 
214(g)(1)(B) and 214(g)(10) of the Act, USCIS may randomly select from 
among the petitions received on the final receipt date the remaining 
number of petitions deemed necessary to generate the numerical limit of 
approvals. This random selection will be made via computer-generated 
selection. Petitions subject to a numerical limitation not randomly 
selected or that were received after the final receipt date will be 
rejected. Petitions indicating that they are exempt from the numerical 
limitation but that are determined by USCIS after the final receipt 
date to be subject to the numerical limit will be denied and filing 
fees will not be returned or refunded. If the final receipt date is any 
of the first five business days on which petitions subject to the 
applicable numerical limit may be received (i.e., if the numerical 
limit is reached on any one of the first five business days that 
filings can be made), USCIS will randomly apply all of the numbers 
among the petitions received on any of those five business days.
    (9) * * *
    (i) Approval. USCIS will consider all the evidence submitted and 
any other evidence independently required to assist in adjudication. 
USCIS will notify the petitioner of the approval of the petition on a 
Notice of Action. The approval notice will include the beneficiary's 
(or beneficiaries') name(s) and classification and the petition's 
period of validity. A petition for more than one beneficiary and/or 
multiple services may be approved in whole or in part. The approval 
notice will cover only those beneficiaries approved for classification 
under section 101(a)(15)(H) of the Act.
* * * * *

Kirstjen M. Nielsen,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-00302 Filed 1-30-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P