Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Notices 69945 

(OMB) under OMB Control Number 

1653–0038. 

This notice also allows an eligible F– 

1 nonimmigrant student to request 

employment authorization, work an 

increased number of hours while the 

academic institution is in session, and 

reduce their course load while 

continuing to maintain F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. 

To apply for employment 

authorization, certain F–1 

nonimmigrant students must complete 

and submit a currently approved Form 

I–765 according to the instructions on 

the form. OMB has previously approved 

the collection of information contained 

on the current Form I–765, consistent 

with the PRA (OMB Control No. 1615– 

0040). Although there will be a slight 

increase in the number of Form I–765 

filings because of this notice, the 

number of filings currently contained in 

the OMB annual inventory for Form I– 

765 is sufficient to cover the additional 

filings. Accordingly, there is no further 

action required under the PRA. 

Alejandro Mayorkas, 

Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland 

Security. 

[FR Doc. 2023–22371 Filed 10–6–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9111–28–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 

Services 

[CIS No. 2762–23; DHS Docket No. USCIS– 

2022–0005] 

RIN 1615–ZB95 

Extension and Redesignation of 

Cameroon for Temporary Protected 

Status 

AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and 

Immigration Services (USCIS), 

Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS). 

ACTION: Notice of Temporary Protected 

Status (TPS) extension and 

redesignation. 

SUMMARY: Through this notice, the 

Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS) announces that the Secretary of 

Homeland Security (Secretary) is 

extending the designation of Cameroon 

for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) 

for 18 months, beginning on December 

8, 2023, and ending on June 7, 2025. 

This extension allows existing TPS 

beneficiaries to retain TPS through June 

7, 2025, so long as they otherwise 

continue to meet the eligibility 

requirements for TPS. Existing TPS 

beneficiaries who wish to extend their 

status through June 7, 2025, must reregister during the 60-day re-registration 

period described in this notice. The 

Secretary is also redesignating 

Cameroon for TPS. The redesignation of 

Cameroon allows additional 

Cameroonian nationals (and individuals 

having no nationality who last 

habitually resided in Cameroon) who 

have been continuously residing in the 

United States since October 5, 2023, to 

apply for TPS for the first time during 

the initial registration period described 

under the redesignation information in 

this notice. In addition to demonstrating 

continuous residence in the United 

States since October 5, 2023, and 

meeting other eligibility criteria, initial 

applicants for TPS under this 

designation must demonstrate that they 

have been continuously physically 

present in the United States since 

December 8, 2023, the effective date of 

this redesignation of Cameroon for TPS. 

DATES: 

Extension of Designation of Cameroon 

for TPS: The 18-month designation of 

Cameroon for TPS begins on December 

8, 2023, and will remain in effect for 18 

months, ending on June 7, 2025. The 

extension impacts existing beneficiaries 

of TPS. 

Re-Registration: The 60-day reregistration period for existing 

beneficiaries runs from October 10, 2023 

through December 11, 2023. (Note: It is 

important for re-registrants to timely reregister during the registration period 

and not to wait until their Employment 

Authorization Documents (EADs) 

expire, as delaying re-registration could 

result in gaps in their employment 

authorization documentation.) 

Redesignation of Cameroon for TPS: 

The 18-month redesignation of 

Cameroon for TPS begins on December 

8, 2023, and will remain in effect for 18 

months, ending on June 7, 2025. The 

redesignation impacts potential firsttime applicants and others who do not 

currently have TPS. 

First-Time Registration: The initial 

registration period for new applicants 

under the Cameroon TPS redesignation 

begins on October 10, 2023 and will 

remain in effect through June 7, 2025. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

• You may contact Rena ́ CutlipMason, Chief, Humanitarian Affairs 

Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 

Services, Department of Homeland 

Security, by mail at 5900 Capital 

Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, MD 

20746, or by phone at 800–375–5283. 

• For further information on TPS, 

including guidance on the registration 

process and additional information on 

eligibility, please visit the USCIS TPS 

web page at https://www.uscis.gov/tps. 

You can find specific information about 

Cameroon’s TPS designation by 

selecting ‘‘Cameroon’’ from the menu on 

the left side of the TPS web page. 

• If you have additional questions 

about TPS, please visit uscis.gov/tools. 

Our online virtual assistant, Emma, can 

answer many of your questions and 

point you to additional information on 

our website. If you are unable to find 

your answers there, you may also call 

our USCIS Contact Center at 800–375– 

5283 (TTY 800–767–1833). 

• Applicants seeking information 

about the status of their individual cases 

may check Case Status Online, available 

on the USCIS website at uscis.gov, or 

visit the USCIS Contact Center at 

https://www.uscis.gov/contactcenter. 

• Further information will also be 

available at local USCIS offices upon 

publication of this notice. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Abbreviations 

BIA—Board of Immigration Appeals 

CFR—Code of Federal Regulations 

DHS—U.S. Department of Homeland 

Security 

DOS—U.S. Department of State 

EAD—Employment Authorization Document 

FNC—Final Nonconfirmation 

Form I–131—Application for Travel 

Document 

Form I–765—Application for Employment 

Authorization 

Form I–797—Notice of Action 

Form I–821—Application for Temporary 

Protected Status 

Form I–9—Employment Eligibility 

Verification 

Form I–912—Request for Fee Waiver 

Form I–94—Arrival/Departure Record 

FR—Federal Register 

Government—U.S. Government 

IER—U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights 

Division, Immigrant and Employee Rights 

Section 

IJ—Immigration Judge 

INA—Immigration and Nationality Act 

SAVE—USCIS Systematic Alien Verification 

for Entitlements Program 

Secretary—Secretary of Homeland Security 

TPS—Temporary Protected Status 

TTY—Text Telephone 

USCIS—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 

Services 

U.S.C.—United States Code 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
69946 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Notices 

1The ‘‘continuous physical presence date’’ (CPP) 

is the effective date of the most recent TPS 

designation of the country, which is either the 

publication date of the designation announcement 

in the Federal Register or such later date as the 

Secretary may establish. The ‘‘continuous residence 

date’’ (CR) is any date established by the Secretary 

when a country is designated (or sometimes 

redesignated) for TPS. See INA sec. 244(b)(2)(A) 

(effective date of designation); 244(c)(1)(A)(i–ii) (CR 

and CPP date requirements); 8 U.S.C. 

1254a(b)(2)(A); 1254a(c)(1)(A)(i–ii). 

2 INA section 244(b)(1) ascribes this power to the 

Attorney General. Congress transferred this 

authority from the Attorney General to the Secretary 

of Homeland Security. See Homeland Security Act 

of 2002, Public Law 107–296, 116 Stat. 2135 (2002). 

The Secretary may designate a country (or part of 

a country) for TPS on the basis of ongoing armed 

conflict such that returning would pose a serious 

threat to the personal safety of the country’s 

nationals and habitual residents, environmental 

disaster (including an epidemic), or extraordinary 

and temporary conditions in the country that 

prevent the safe return of the country’s nationals. 

For environmental disaster-based designations, 

certain other statutory requirements must be met, 

including that the foreign government must request 

TPS. A designation based on extraordinary and 

temporary conditions cannot be made if the 

Secretary finds that allowing the country’s nationals 

to remain temporarily in the United States is 

contrary to the U.S. national interest. INA sec. 

244(b)(1); 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1). 

Purpose of This Action (TPS) 

Through this notice, DHS sets forth 

procedures necessary for nationals of 

Cameroon (or individuals having no 

nationality who last habitually resided 

in Cameroon) to (1) re-register for TPS 

and to apply for renewal of their EADs 

with USCIS or (2) submit an initial 

registration application under the 

redesignation and apply for an EAD. 

Re-registration is limited to 

individuals who have previously 

registered for TPS under the prior 

designation of Cameroon and whose 

applications have been granted. Failure 

to re-register properly within the 60-day 

re-registration period may result in the 

withdrawal of your TPS following 

appropriate procedures. See 8 CFR 

244.14. 

For individuals who have already 

been granted TPS under Cameroon’s 

designation, the 60-day re-registration 

period runs from October 10, 2023 

through December 11, 2023. USCIS will 

issue new EADs with a June 7, 2025, 

expiration date to eligible Cameroonian 

TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register 

and apply for EADs. Given the time 

frames involved with processing TPS reregistration applications, DHS 

recognizes that not all re-registrants may 

receive new EADs before their current 

EADs expire. Accordingly, through this 

Federal Register notice, DHS 

automatically extends the validity of 

certain EADs previously issued under 

the TPS designation of Cameroon 

through December 7, 2024. Therefore, as 

proof of continued employment 

authorization through December 7, 

2024, TPS beneficiaries can show their 

EADs that have the notation A–12 or C– 

19 under Category and a ‘‘Card Expires’’ 

date of December 7, 2023. This notice 

explains how TPS beneficiaries and 

their employers may determine which 

EADs are automatically extended and 

how this affects the Form I–9, 

Employment Eligibility Verification, EVerify, and USCIS Systematic Alien 

Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) 

processes. 

Individuals who have a Cameroon 

TPS application (Form I–821) and/or 

Application for Employment 

Authorization (Form I–765) that was 

still pending as of October 10, 2023 do 

not need to file either application again. 

If USCIS approves an individual’s 

pending Form I–821, USCIS will grant 

the individual TPS through June 7, 

2025. Similarly, if USCIS approves a 

pending TPS-related Form I–765, USCIS 

will issue the individual a new EAD 

that will be valid through the same date. 

There are currently approximately 2,090 

beneficiaries under Cameroon’s TPS 

designation. 

Under the redesignation, individuals 

who currently do not have TPS may 

submit an initial application during the 

initial registration period that runs from 

October 10, 2023 and runs through the 

full length of the redesignation period 

ending June 7, 2025. In addition to 

demonstrating continuous residence in 

the United States since October 5, 2023, 

and meeting other eligibility criteria, 

initial applicants for TPS under this 

redesignation must demonstrate that 

they have been continuously physically 

present in the United States since 

December 8, 2023,1 the effective date of 

this redesignation of Cameroon, before 

USCIS may grant them TPS. DHS 

estimates that approximately 7,900 

individuals may become newly eligible 

for TPS under the redesignation of 

Cameroon. 

What Is Temporary Protected Status 

(TPS)? 

• TPS is a temporary immigration 

status granted to eligible nationals of a 

foreign state designated for TPS under 

the INA, or to eligible individuals 

without nationality who last habitually 

resided in the designated foreign state, 

regardless of their country of birth. 

• During the TPS designation period, 

TPS beneficiaries are eligible to remain 

in the United States, may not be 

removed, and are authorized to obtain 

EADs so long as they continue to meet 

the requirements of TPS. 

• TPS beneficiaries may also apply 

for and be granted travel authorization 

as a matter of DHS discretion. 

• To qualify for TPS, beneficiaries 

must meet the eligibility standards at 

INA section 244(c)(1)–(2), 8 U.S.C. 

1254a(c)(1)–(2). 

• When the Secretary terminates a 

foreign state’s TPS designation, 

beneficiaries return to one of the 

following: 

Æ The same immigration status or 

category that they maintained before 

TPS, if any (unless that status or 

category has since expired or 

terminated); or 

Æ Any other lawfully obtained 

immigration status or category they 

received while registered for TPS, as 

long as it is still valid beyond the date 

TPS terminates. 

When was Cameroon designated for 

TPS? 

Cameroon was initially designated on 

the basis of ongoing armed conflict and 

extraordinary and temporary conditions 

in Cameroon that prevented nationals of 

Cameroon from returning in safety. See 

Designation of Nationals of Cameroon 

for Temporary Protected Status, 87 FR 

34706 (June 7, 2022). 

What authority does the Secretary have 

to extend the designation of Cameroon 

for TPS? 

Section 244(b)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 

1254a(b)(1), authorizes the Secretary, 

after consultation with appropriate 

agencies of the U.S. Government, to 

designate a foreign state (or part thereof) 

for TPS if the Secretary determines that 

certain country conditions exist.2 The 

decision to designate any foreign state 

(or part thereof) is a discretionary 

decision, and there is no judicial review 

of any determination with respect to the 

designation, termination, or extension of 

a designation. See INA sec. 244(b)(5)(A), 

8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(5)(A). The Secretary, 

in his or her discretion, may then grant 

TPS to eligible nationals of that foreign 

state (or individuals having no 

nationality who last habitually resided 

in the designated foreign state). See INA 

sec. 244(a)(1)(A), 8 U.S.C. 

1254a(a)(1)(A). 

At least 60 days before the expiration 

of a foreign state’s TPS designation or 

extension, the Secretary, after 

consultation with appropriate U.S. 

Government agencies, must review the 

conditions in the foreign state 

designated for TPS to determine 

whether they continue to meet the 

conditions for the TPS designation. See 

INA sec. 244(b)(3)(A), 8 U.S.C. 

1254a(b)(3)(A). If the Secretary 

determines that the foreign state 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Notices 69947 

3The extension and redesignation of TPS for 

Cameroon is one of several instances in which the 

Secretary and, prior to the establishment of DHS, 

the Attorney General, have simultaneously 

extended a country’s TPS designation and 

redesignated the country for TPS. See, e.g., 

Extension and Redesignation of Haiti for 

Temporary Protected Status, 76 FR 29000 (May 19, 

2011); Extension and Re-designation of Temporary 

Protected Status for Sudan, 69 FR 60168 (Oct. 7, 

2004); Extension of Designation and Redesignation 

of Liberia Under Temporary Protected Status 

Program, 62 FR 16608 (Apr. 7, 1997). 

4Cameroon: Confronting Boko Haram, 

International Crisis Group, Nov. 16, 2016, available 

at https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/central-africa/ 

cameroon/cameroon-confronting-boko-haram (last 

visited July 12, 2023); Facing the Challenge of the 

Islamic State in West Africa Province, International 

Crisis Group, May 16, 2019, available at https:// 

www.crisisgroup.org/africa/west-africa/nigeria/273- 

facing-challenge-islamic-state-west-africa-province 

(last visited July 12, 2023); and Boko Haram and the 

Islamic State West Africa Province, Congressional 

Research Service, Feb. 24, 2022, available at https:// 

sgp.fas.org/crs/row/IF10173.pdf. 

5Cameroon says military deployed after new 

militant attack kills at least a dozen, VOA, Aug. 3, 

2023, available at https://www.voanews.com/a/

cameroon-says-military-deployed-after-bokoharam-attack/7210055.html (last visited Sept. 26, 

2023); Cameroon asks for more border troops after 

new Boko Haram attacks, VOA, May 31, 2023, 

available at https://www.voanews.com/a/cameroonasks-for-more-border-troops-after-new-boko-haramattacks/7116890.html (last visited Sept. 26, 2023); 

Children and armed conflict; Report of the 

Secretary-General [A/77/895–S/2023/363], UN 

General Assembly, UN Security Council, June 5, 

2023, available at https://childrenandarmed

conflict.un.org/document/secretary-general-annualreport-on-children-and-armed-conflict-2/; 

Cameroon: Events of 2022, Human Rights Watch, 

available at https://www.hrw.org/world-report/

2023/country-chapters/cameroon (last visited July 

3, 2023). 

6Cameroon’s Large-Scale Boko Haram Attacks 

Leave Thousands Homeless, VOA News, April 19, 

2023, available at https://www.voanews.com/a/

cameroon-s-large-scale-boko-haram-attacks-leavethousands-homeless-/7057215.html (last visited 

June 30, 2023). 

7Cameroon, Amnesty International, available at 

https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/africa/westand-central-africa/cameroon/report-cameroon/ (last 

visited July 3, 2023). 

8U.S. Dep’t of State, 2023 Trafficking in Persons 

Report: Cameroon, June 15, 2023, available at 

https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-inpersons-report/cameroon/ (last visited Sept. 26, 

2023); U.S. Dep’t of State, 2022 Country Report on 

Human Rights Practices: Cameroon (Mar. 20, 2023), 

available at https://www.state.gov/reports/2022- 

country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/

cameroon/ (last visited July 12, 2023). 

9The situation in Central Africa and the activities 

of the United Nations Regional Office for Central 

Africa; Report of the Secretary-General [S/2023/ 

389], U.N. Security Council, May 21, 2023, 

available at https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/

2093063/N2313778.pdf. 

continues to meet the conditions for 

TPS designation, the designation will be 

extended for an additional period of 6 

months or, in the Secretary’s discretion, 

12 or 18 months. See INA sec. 

244(b)(3)(A), (C), 8 U.S.C. 

1254a(b)(3)(A), (C). If the Secretary 

determines that the foreign state no 

longer meets the conditions for TPS 

designation, the Secretary must 

terminate the designation. See INA sec. 

244(b)(3)(B), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B). 

What is the Secretary’s authority to 

redesignate Cameroon for TPS? 

In addition to extending an existing 

TPS designation, the Secretary, after 

consultation with appropriate 

Government agencies, may redesignate a 

country (or part thereof) for TPS. See 

INA sec. 244(b)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1); 

see also INA sec. 244(c)(1)(A)(i), 8 

U.S.C. 1254a(c)(1)(A)(i) (requiring that 

‘‘the alien has been continuously 

physically present since the effective 

date of the most recent designation of 

the state’’) (emphasis added).3

When the Secretary designates or 

redesignates a country for TPS, the 

Secretary also has the discretion to 

establish the date from which TPS 

applicants must demonstrate that they 

have been ‘‘continuously resid[ing]’’ in 

the United States. See INA sec. 

244(c)(1)(A)(ii), 8 U.S.C. 

1254a(c)(1)(A)(ii). The Secretary has 

determined that the ‘‘continuous 

residence’’ date for applicants for TPS 

under the redesignation of Cameroon 

shall be October 5, 2023. Initial 

applicants for TPS under this 

redesignation must also show they have 

been ‘‘continuously physically present’’ 

in the United States since December 8, 

2023, which is the effective date of the 

Secretary’s redesignation of Cameroon. 

See INA sec. 244(c)(1)(A)(i), 8 U.S.C. 

1254a(c)(1)(A)(i). For each initial TPS 

application filed under the 

redesignation, the final determination of 

whether the applicant has met the 

‘‘continuous physical presence’’ 

requirement cannot be made until 

December 8, 2023, the effective date of 

this redesignation for Cameroon. USCIS, 

however, will issue employment 

authorization documentation, as 

appropriate, during the registration 

period in accordance with 8 CFR 

244.5(b). 

Why is the Secretary extending the TPS 

designation for Cameroon and 

simultaneously redesignating 

Cameroon for TPS through June 7, 

2025? 

DHS has reviewed country conditions 

in Cameroon. Based on the review, 

including input received from DOS and 

other U.S. Government agencies, the 

Secretary has determined that an 18- 

month TPS extension is warranted 

because ongoing armed conflict and 

extraordinary and temporary conditions 

supporting Cameroon’s TPS designation 

remain. The Secretary has further 

determined that redesignating 

Cameroon for TPS under INA section 

244(b)(3)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(C) is 

warranted and is changing the 

‘‘continuous residence’’ and 

‘‘continuous physical presence’’ dates 

that applicants must meet to be eligible 

for TPS. The ‘‘continuous residence’’ 

date now being October 5, 2023, and the 

‘‘continuous physical presence’’ date 

now being December 8, 2023, the 

effective date of this redesignation of 

Cameroon for TPS. 

Overview 

Since 2014, ongoing armed conflict 

between the Government of Cameroon 

and nonstate armed groups in the Far 

North Region, specifically Boko Haram 

and the Islamic State West Africa 

Province (ISWAP), has resulted in 

killings, kidnappings, displacement, 

and destruction of civilian 

infrastructure. While battling these 

nonstate armed groups, the Government 

of Cameroon is also attempting to 

control the continuing secessionist 

crisis in the Northwest and Southwest 

Regions. Extraordinary and temporary 

conditions, including the secessionist 

crisis, human rights abuses by members 

of armed groups and forces, food 

insecurity, spread of disease, and mass 

displacement continue to prevent 

Cameroonian nationals (and those who 

last habitually resided in Cameroon) 

from returning to Cameroon in safety. 

Scale and Impact of Conflict and Other 

Violence 

In 2014, Boko Haram launched its 

first attacks in the Far North Region of 

Cameroon, and in 2015, a splinter group 

ISWAP established itself as a highly 

active and violent Islamic State 

affiliate.4 Cameroon continues to face 

serious attacks by Boko Haram and 

ISWAP in the Far North Region.5

Recent, large-scale attacks by Boko 

Haram have resulted in civilian and 

soldier deaths, the destruction of 

hundreds of homes, and the looting of 

shops, markets, ranches, and farms.6 A 

separate attack that killed two civilians 

also forced the closure of a Far North 

hospital for several months, preventing 

thousands of people from accessing 

health services.7 Boko Haram has also 

continued to abduct children for use as 

child soldiers or suicide bombers.8

Earlier this year, ISWAP reportedly 

abducted 20 fishermen in the Far North 

Region after they refused to pay taxes 

levied by the group, and in another 

incident, ISWAP militants attacked a 

military outpost and stole military 

equipment.9

The Far North has also seen violence 

between fishing, farming, and herding 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
69948 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Notices 

10Conflict Analysis in Lake Chad Basin 2020– 

2021, U.N. Development Programme, Aug. 4, 2022, 

available at https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/

zskgke326/files/2022-08/Conflict%20Analysis

%20in%20the%20Lake%20Chad%20Basin.pdf. 

11 Violent Extremism in the Sahel, Center for 

Preventive Action, March 27, 2023, available at 

https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/

violent-extremism-sahel (last visited July 6, 2023). 

12Cameroon Humanitarian Needs Overview 2023 

(March 2023), U.N. Office for the Coordination of 

Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), May 11, 2023, 

available at https://reliefweb.int/report/cameroon/

cameroon-humanitarian-needs-overview-2023-

march-2023 (last visited July 6, 2023). 

13A Second Look at Cameroon’s Anglophone 

Special Status, International Crisis Group, March 

31, 2023, available at https://www.crisisgroup.org/

africa/central-africa/cameroon/b188-second-lookcameroons-anglophone-special-status (last visited 

June 30, 2023). 

14A Second Look at Cameroon’s Anglophone 

Special Status, International Crisis Group, March 

31, 2023, available at https://www.crisisgroup.org/

africa/central-africa/cameroon/b188-second-lookcameroons-anglophone-special-status (last visited 

June 30, 2023). 

15Cameroon, Global Center for the Responsibility 

to Protect, May 31, 2023, available at https://

www.globalr2p.org/countries/cameroon/ (last 

visited July 3, 2023). 

16U.S. Dep’t of State, 2022 Country Reports on 

Human Rights Practices: Cameroon, May 21, 2023, 

available at https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-

country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/

cameroon/ (last visited July 3, 2023). 17Atrocity Alert No. 349: Ukraine, Cameroon and 

Afghanistan, Reliefweb, May 31, 2023, available at 

https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/atrocityalert-no-349-ukraine-cameroon-and-afghanistan 

(last visited July 13, 2023). 18Cameroon: Events of 2022, Human Rights 

Watch, 2023, available at https://www.hrw.org/

world-report/2023/country-chapters/cameroon (last 

visited July 3, 2023). 19UNICEF Education Case Study: Cameroon, July 

2023, last visited October 1, 2023. https://

www.unicef.org/media/141551/file/Learning

%20where%20it%20is%20difficult%20to

%20learn:%20Radio%20programmes%20help

%20keep%20children%20learning%20in

%20Cameroon.pdf. 20Cameroon: Events of 2022, Human Rights 

Watch, 2022, available at https://www.hrw.org/

world-report/2023/country-chapters/cameroon (last 

visited July 3, 2023). 21Cameroon, Global Center for the Responsibility 

to Protect, May 31, 2023, available at https://

www.globalr2p.org/countries/cameroon/ (last 

visited July 3, 2023). 22Cameroon: With or against us: People of the 

North-West region of Cameroon caught between the 

army, armed separatists and militias, Amnesty 

International, July 4, 2023, available at https://

www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr17/6838/2023/ 

en/ (last visited July 13, 2023). 

23Cameroon: With or against us: People of the 

North-West region of Cameroon caught between the 

army, armed separatists and militias, Amnesty 

International, July 4, 2023, available at https://

www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr17/6838/2023/ 

en/ (last visited July 13, 2023). 

24Cameroon: Rampant atrocities amid 

Anglophone regions must be stopped and 

investigated, Amnesty International, July 3, 2023, 

available at: https://www.amnestyusa.org/pressreleases/cameroon-rampant-atrocities-amidanglophone-regions-must-be-stopped-andinvestigated/ (last visited September 25, 2023). 

25Cameroon: With or against us: People of the 

North-West region of Cameroon caught between the 

army, armed separatists and militias, Amnesty 

International, July 4, 2023, available at https://

www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr17/6838/2023/ 

en/ (last visited July 13, 2023). 

26Cameroon Humanitarian Needs Overview 2023 

(March 2023), Reliefweb, May 11, 2023, available at 

https://reliefweb.int/report/cameroon/cameroonhumanitarian-needs-overview-2023-march-2023#:

∼:text=In%202023%2C%20one%20out%20

of,)%2C%20returnees%2C%20or%20refugees. (last 

visited July 3, 2023). 

27Cameroon: Situation Report, OCHA, last 

updated June 7, 2023, available at https://

reports.unocha.org/en/country/cameroon/ (last 

visited July 3, 2023). 

28Cameroon Multi-Country Office: Refugees and 

Internally Displaced Persons, UNHCR, June 8, 2023, 

available at https://reliefweb.int/map/cameroon/ 

cameroon-multi-country-office-refugees-andinternally-displaced-persons-figures-available-31- 

may-2023 (last visited June 30, 2023). 

29U.S. Dep’t of State, 2022 Country Reports on 

Human Rights Practices: Cameroon, May 21, 2023, 

available at https://www.state.gov/reports/2022- 

communities vying for limited natural 

resources that have been dwindling in 

the Lake Chad Basin region due to 

climate change.10 While such clashes 

are not new, the increasing use and 

accessibility of firearms due to the 

presence of Boko Haram and ISWAP has 

escalated violence and displacement.11

Overall, the confluence of 

intercommunal violence, presence of 

militant groups, and increased 

competition over natural resources has 

resulted in widespread humanitarian 

distress including frequent thefts, 

destruction of property, physical 

attacks, extortions, murders, and 

kidnappings.12

Crisis in the Northwest & Southwest 

Regions 

Cameroon is a majority Frenchspeaking (Francophone) nation with two 

majority English-speaking (Anglophone) 

regions.13 The country continues to face 

a secessionist insurgency in the 

Anglophone areas: Northwest Region 

and Southwest Region.14

Anglophone separatists continue to 

commit human rights abuses against 

both government forces and civilians, 

engaging in killings, kidnappings, and 

other means of forceful control over 

large parts of the Anglophone regions.15

Separatists have restricted the 

movement of persons and goods in the 

areas under their control, ‘‘sometimes in 

a deliberate attempt to harass and 

intimidate the local population,’’ and 

often use weekly lockdowns called 

‘‘ghost towns’’ during which all 

businesses, schools, and places of 

worship must close.16 30 women were 

reportedly abducted by separatists in 

May 2023 after participating in peaceful 

protests against separatist violence and 

taxes, with some of the women tortured, 

beaten, and shot.17 Separatist groups 

have targeted civilian infrastructure and 

their violence has acutely impacted on 

access to education.18 More than half of 

the schools in the Northwest and 

Southwest regions remain closed for the 

2022–2023 school year, according to the 

United Nations.19 Armed groups have 

also attacked health care facilities, 

including an attack against a hospital in 

June 2022 that deprived 85,000 people 

of access to health care.20

Human Rights Abuses by Government 

Security Forces 

Reports indicate that Cameroonian 

government security forces have 

engaged in human rights violations, 

often in areas where they are engaged in 

separatist clashes. Reportedly, ‘‘Security 

forces have perpetrated extrajudicial 

killings and widespread sexual and 

gender-based violence, burned 

Anglophone villages and subjected 

individuals with suspected separatist 

ties to arbitrary detention, torture and 

ill-treatment.’’ 21 Recently, members of 

the Cameroonian army killed three 

people and burned homes in Yer village 

and destroyed homes and shops in the 

city of Kumbo.22 Both attacks were 

believed to be retaliation for attacks on 

the military by armed separatists.23

According to Amnesty International, 

‘‘the response to the crisis from political 

and judicial authorities has, so far, 

involved further human rights 

violations. Instead of genuinely 

investigating crimes by armed 

separatists, authorities have accused 

certain individuals denouncing 

atrocities of being armed separatists or 

supporters and have arbitrarily arrested 

and detained them.’’ 24 Investigations 

into human rights abuses by authorities 

appear rare and, when investigations are 

opened, proceedings are slow or public 

information is unavailable.25

Humanitarian Situation 

The humanitarian situation in 

Cameroon is serious, with one out of 

every six people in Cameroon needing 

humanitarian assistance and protection, 

amounting to 4.7 million people.26 An 

estimated 77 percent of the population 

in need of humanitarian assistance are 

women and children.27 Moreover, an 

estimated 478,106 foreign nationals 

have sought refuge in Cameroon from 

other countries along with 645,746 other 

returnees and 1,066,254 internally 

displaced persons already in 

Cameroon.28 Humanitarian access 

remains challenging, as armed groups 

hinder the movement of goods in the 

areas under their control, and aid 

workers have reported harassment from 

government authorities and denial of 

passage to areas in need.29


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Notices 69949 

country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/ 

cameroon/ (last visited July 3, 2023). 

30Cameroon Food Security Outlook Update, June 

2023–January 2024, Reliefweb, July 6, 2023, 

available at https://reliefweb.int/report/cameroon/ 

cameroon-food-security-outlook-update-june-2023- 

january-2024 (last visited July 13, 2023). 

31Cameroon: Situation Report, OCHA, last 

updated June 7, 2023, available at https:// 

reports.unocha.org/en/country/cameroon/ (last 

visited July 3, 2023). 

32Cameroon Crisis Response Plan 2023, 

International Organization for Migration, Jan. 19, 

2023, available at https://crisisresponse.iom.int/ 

response/cameroon-crisis-response-plan-2023 (last 

visited July 3, 2023). 

33WFP Cameroon Operational Update—January– 

March 2023, Reliefweb, June 14, 2023, available at 

https://reliefweb.int/report/cameroon/wfpcameroon-operational-update-january-march-2023 

(last visited July 13, 2023). 

34Cameroon: Increase in cholera cases, 1, ACAPS, 

June 29, 2023, available at https://www.acaps.org/ 

fileadmin/Data_Product/Main_media/20230629_

ACAPS_Briefing_note_Cameroon_increase_in_

cholera_cases.pdf. 

35Cameroon: Increase in cholera cases, 1, ACAPS, 

June 29, 2023, available at https://www.acaps.org/ 

fileadmin/Data_Product/Main_media/20230629_

ACAPS_Briefing_note_Cameroon_increase_in_

cholera_cases.pdf. 

36Cameroon: Increase in cholera cases, 1, ACAPS, 

June 29, 2023, available at https://www.acaps.org/ 

fileadmin/Data_Product/Main_media/20230629_

ACAPS_Briefing_note_Cameroon_increase_in_

cholera_cases.pdf. 

37Cameroon Multi-Country Office: Refugees and 

Internally Displaced Persons, UNHCR, June 8, 2023, 

available at https://reliefweb.int/map/cameroon/ 

cameroon-multi-country-office-refugees-andinternally-displaced-persons-figures-available-31- 

may-2023 (last visited June 30, 2023). 

38Cameroon: Events of 2022, Human Rights 

Watch, available at https://www.hrw.org/worldreport/2023/country-chapters/cameroon (last 

visited July 3, 2023). 

39Cameroon’s Large-Scale Boko Harm Attacks 

Leave Thousands Homeless, VOA News, April 19. 

2023, available at https://www.voanews.com/a/ 

cameroon-s-large-scale-boko-haram-attacks-leavethousands-homeless-/7057215.html (last visited 

July 6, 2023). 

The ongoing regional crises, 

intercommunal violence, and floods 

have worsened food insecurity in recent 

years.30 An estimated three million 

people in Cameroon are expected to face 

acute food insecurity in 2023.31

Additionally, the fastest increases in 

food prices since 2008 have exacerbated 

challenges in this area.32 Recent data 

indicates that the cost of food was 9.5 

percent higher in the first quarter of 

2023 than at the same time in 2022.33

Additionally, Cameroon is 

experiencing an outbreak of cholera. 

The number of reported cases had been 

relatively low but increased 

significantly in March 2023, and new 

cases have been reported in 29 of 58 

districts nationwide.34 More than 

19,000 cases were reported between 

June 2022 and June 2023, including 

1,880 confirmed cases and 450 recorded 

deaths.35 A global cholera vaccine 

shortage is complicating prevention 

efforts.36

As of May 2023, there were more than 

one million internally displaced persons 

in Cameroon, concentrated primarily in 

and around the Anglophone regions and 

the Far North Region.37 Boko Haram and 

ISWAP’s attacks in the Far North have 

reportedly contributed to the internal 

displacement of over 378,000 people as 

of July 2022.38 About 3,000 people were 

displaced in the Far North Region in 

March 2023 alone.39

In summary, the ongoing armed 

conflict between Boko Haram, ISWAP, 

and the Government of Cameroon 

alongside extraordinary and temporary 

conditions, including the secessionist 

crisis, has led to significant civilian 

casualties and major disruptions in 

security and stability. This has also 

contributed to other extraordinary and 

temporary conditions that prevent 

Cameroonian nationals from returning 

to Cameroon in safety, namely the 

current humanitarian crisis, including 

human rights abuses, food insecurity, 

spread of disease, and mass 

displacement. 

Based upon this review and after 

consultation with appropriate U.S. 

Government agencies, the Secretary has 

determined that: 

• The conditions supporting 

Cameroon’s designation for TPS 

continue to be met. See INA section 

244(b)(3)(A) and (C), 8 U.S.C. 

1254a(b)(3)(A) and (C). 

• There continues to be an ongoing 

armed conflict in the Far North region 

of Cameroon and, due to such conflict, 

requiring the return to Cameroon of 

Cameroonian nationals (or individuals 

having no nationality who last 

habitually resided in Cameroon) would 

pose a serious threat to their personal 

safety. See INA section 244(b)(1)(A), 8 

U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(A). 

• There continue to be extraordinary 

and temporary conditions in Cameroon 

that prevent Cameroonian nationals (or 

individuals having no nationality who 

last habitually resided in Cameroon) 

from returning to Cameroon in safety, 

and it is not contrary to the national 

interest of the United States to permit 

Cameroonian TPS beneficiaries to 

remain in the United States temporarily. 

See INA section 244(b)(1)(C), 8 U.S.C. 

1254a(b)(1)(C). 

• The designation of Cameroon for 

TPS should be extended for an 18- 

month period, beginning on December 

8, 2023, and ending on June 7, 2025. See 

INA section 244(b)(3)(C), 8 U.S.C. 

1254a(b)(3)(C). 

• Due to the conditions described 

above, Cameroon should be 

simultaneously extended and 

redesignated for TPS beginning on 

December 8, 2023, and ending on June 

7, 2025. See INA 244(b)(1)(A) and (C) 

and (b)(2), 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(A) and 

(C) and (b)(2). 

• For the redesignation, the Secretary 

has determined that TPS applicants 

must demonstrate that they have 

continuously resided in the United 

States since October 5, 2023. 

• Initial TPS applicants under the 

redesignation must demonstrate that 

they have been continuously physically 

present in the United States since 

December 8, 2023, the effective date of 

the redesignation of Cameroon for TPS. 

• There are approximately 2,090 

current Cameroon TPS beneficiaries 

who are expected to be eligible to reregister for TPS under the extension. 

• It is estimated that approximately 

7,900 additional individuals may be 

eligible for TPS under the redesignation 

of Cameroon. This population includes 

Cameroonian nationals in the United 

States in nonimmigrant status or 

without immigration status. 

Notice of the Designation of Cameroon 

for TPS 

By the authority vested in me as 

Secretary under INA section 244, 8 

U.S.C. 1254a, I have determined, after 

consultation with the appropriate U.S. 

Government agencies, the statutory 

conditions supporting Cameroon’s 

designation for TPS on the basis of 

ongoing armed conflict and 

extraordinary and temporary conditions 

are met and it is not contrary to the 

national interest of the United States to 

permit Cameroonian TPS beneficiaries 

to remain in the United States 

temporarily. See INA section 

244(b)(1)(A) and (C), 8 U.S.C. 

1254a(b)(1)(A) and (C). On the basis of 

this determination, I am simultaneously 

extending the existing designation of 

Cameroon for TPS for 18 months, 

beginning on December 8, 2023, and 

ending on June 7, 2025, and 

redesignating Cameroon for TPS for the 

same 18-month period. See INA section 

244(b)(1)(A) and (C) and (b)(2); 8 U.S.C. 

1254a(b)(1)(A) and (C) and (b)(2). 

Alejandro N. Mayorkas, 

Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland 

Security. 

Eligibility and Employment 

Authorization for TPS 

Required Application Forms and 

Application Fees To Register or ReRegister for TPS 

To register for TPS based on the 

designation of Cameroon, you must 

submit a Form I–821, Application for 

Temporary Protected Status, and pay 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
69950 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Notices 

40Find information about online filing at ‘‘Forms 

Available to File Online,’’ https://www.uscis.gov/ 

file-online/forms-available-to-file-online. 

41https://myaccount.uscis.gov/users/sign_up. 

the filing fee (or request a fee waiver, 

which you may submit on Form I–912, 

Request for Fee Waiver). You may be 

required to pay the biometric services 

fee. If you can demonstrate an inability 

to pay the biometric services fee, you 

may request to have the fee waived. 

Please see additional information under 

the ‘‘Biometric Services Fee’’ section of 

this notice. 

TPS beneficiaries are eligible for an 

Employment Authorization Document 

(EAD), which proves their authorization 

to work in the United States. You are 

not required to submit Form I–765, 

Application for Employment 

Authorization, or have an EAD to be 

granted TPS, but see below for more 

information if you want an EAD to use 

as proof that you can work in the United 

States. 

Individuals who have a Cameroon 

TPS application (Form I–821) that was 

still pending as of October 10, 2023 do 

not need to file the application again. If 

USCIS approves an individual’s Form I– 

821, USCIS will grant the individual 

TPS through June 7, 2025. 

For more information on the 

application forms and fees for TPS, 

please visit the USCIS TPS web page at 

https://www.uscis.gov/tps. Fees for the 

Form I–821, the Form I–765, and 

biometric services are also described in 

8 CFR 103.7(b)(1) (Oct. 1, 2020). In 

addition, the form instructions for the 

Form I–821 and Form I–765 provide 

further information on requirements and 

fees for both initial TPS applicants and 

existing TPS beneficiaries who are reregistering. 

How can TPS beneficiaries obtain an 

Employment Authorization Document 

(EAD)? 

Everyone must provide their 

employer with documentation showing 

that they have the legal right to work in 

the United States. TPS beneficiaries are 

eligible to obtain an EAD, which proves 

their legal right to work. Those who 

want to obtain an EAD must file a Form 

I–765 and pay the Form I–765 fee (or 

request a fee waiver, which you may 

submit on Form I–912, Request for Fee 

Waiver). TPS applicants may file this 

form along with their TPS application, 

or at a later date, provided their TPS 

application is still pending or has been 

approved. Beneficiaries with a 

Cameroonian TPS-related Form I–765 

that was still pending as of October 10, 

2023 do not need to file the application 

again. If USCIS approves a pending 

TPS-related Form I–765, USCIS will 

issue the individual a new EAD that 

will be valid through June 7, 2025. 

Refiling an Initial TPS Registration 

Application After Receiving a Denial of 

a Fee Waiver Request 

If USCIS denies your fee waiver 

request, you can resubmit your TPS 

application. The fee waiver denial 

notice will contain specific instructions 

about resubmitting your application. 

Filing Information 

USCIS offers the option to applicants 

for TPS under Cameroon’s designation 

to file Form I–821 and related requests 

for EADs online or by mail. When filing 

a TPS application, applicants can also 

request an EAD by submitting a 

completed Form I–765, with their Form 

I–821. 

Online filing: Forms I–821 and I–765 

are available for concurrent filing 

online.40 To file these forms online, you 

must first create a USCIS online 

account.41 However, if you are 

requesting a fee waiver, you cannot 

submit the applications online. You will 

need to file paper versions of the fee 

waiver request and the form for which 

you are requesting the fee waiver. 

Mail filing: Mail your application for 

TPS to the proper address in Table 1. 

Table 1—Mailing Addresses 

Mail your completed Form I–821, 

Application for Temporary Protected 

Status; Form I–765, Application for 

Employment Authorization, if 

applicable; Form I–912, Request for Fee 

Waiver (if applicable); and supporting 

documentation to the proper address in 

Table 1. 

TABLE 1—MAILING ADDRESSES

All States, Territories, and District of Columbia U.S. Postal Service (USPS): USCIS, Attn: TPS Cameroon, P.O. Box 4091, Carol Stream, IL 

60197–4091. 

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries: USCIS, Attn: TPS Cameroon (Box 4091), 2500 Westfield 

Drive, Elgin, IL 60124–7836. 

If you were granted TPS by an 

immigration judge (IJ) or the Board of 

Immigration Appeals (BIA) and you 

wish to request an EAD, please mail 

your Form I–765 application to the 

appropriate mailing address in Table 1. 

When you are requesting an EAD based 

on an IJ/BIA grant of TPS, please 

include a copy of the IJ or BIA order 

granting you TPS with your application. 

This will help us verify your grant of 

TPS and process your application. 

Supporting Documents 

The filing instructions on the Form I– 

821 list all the documents needed to 

establish eligibility for TPS. You may 

also find information on the acceptable 

documentation and other requirements 

for applying (i.e., registering) for TPS on 

the USCIS website at https://

www.uscis.gov/tps under ‘‘Cameroon.’’ 

Travel 

TPS beneficiaries may also apply for 

and be granted travel authorization as a 

matter of discretion. You must file for 

travel authorization if you wish to travel 

outside of the United States. If granted, 

travel authorization gives you 

permission to leave the United States 

and return during a specific period. To 

request travel authorization, you must 

file Form I–131, Application for Travel 

Document, available at https://

www.uscis.gov/i-131. You may file Form 

I–131 together with your Form I–821 or 

separately. When filing the Form I–131, 

you must: 

• Select Item Number 1.d. in Part 2 

on the Form I–131; and 

• Submit the fee for the Form I–131, 

or request a fee waiver, which you may 

submit on Form I–912, Request for Fee 

Waiver. 

If you are filing Form I–131 together 

with Form I–821, send your forms to the 

address listed in Table 1. If you are 

filing Form I–131 separately based on a 

pending or approved Form I–821, send 

your form to the address listed in Table 

2 and include a copy of Form I–797 for 

the approved or pending Form I–821. 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Notices 69951 

TABLE 2—MAILING ADDRESSES

If you are . . . Mail to . . . 

Filing Form I–131 together with a Form I–821, Application for Temporary Protected Status.The address provided in Table 1. 

Filing Form I–131 based on a pending or approved Form I–821, and 

you are using the U.S. Postal Service (USPS): You must include a 

copy of the receipt notice (Form I–797 or I–797C) showing we accepted or approved your Form I–821.

USCIS, Attn: I–131 TPS, P.O. Box 660167, Dallas, TX 75266–0867. 

Filing Form I–131 based on a pending or approved Form I–821, and 

you are using FedEx, UPS, or DHL: You must include a copy of the 

receipt notice (Form I–797 or I–797C) showing we accepted or approved your Form I–821.

USCIS, Attn: I–131 TPS, 2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business, Ste. 400, 

Lewisville, TX 75067. 

Biometric Services Fee for TPS 

Biometrics (such as fingerprints) are 

required for all applicants 14 years of 

age and older. Those applicants must 

submit a biometric services fee. As 

previously stated, if you are unable to 

pay the biometric services fee, you may 

request a fee waiver, which you may 

submit on Form I–912, Request for Fee 

Waiver. For more information on the 

application forms and fees for TPS, 

please visit the USCIS TPS web page at 

https://www.uscis.gov/tps. If necessary, 

you may be required to visit an 

Application Support Center to have 

your biometrics captured. For additional 

information on the USCIS biometric 

screening process, please see the USCIS 

Customer Profile Management Service 

Privacy Impact Assessment, available at 

https://www.dhs.gov/publication/ 

dhsuscispia-060-customer-profilemanagement-service-cpms. 

General Employment-Related 

Information for TPS Applicants and 

Their Employers 

How can I obtain information on the 

status of my TPS application and EAD 

request? 

To get case status information about 

your TPS application, as well as the 

status of your TPS-based EAD request, 

you can check Case Status Online at 

uscis.gov, or visit the USCIS Contact 

Center at https://www.uscis.gov/ 

contactcenter. If your Form I–765 has 

been pending for more than 90 days, 

and you still need assistance, you may 

ask a question about your case online at 

https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/Intro.do 

or call the USCIS Contact Center at 800– 

375–5283 (TTY 800–767–1833). 

Am I eligible to receive an automatic 

extension of my current EAD through 

December 7, 2024, through this Federal 

Register notice? 

Yes. Regardless of your country of 

birth, provided that you currently have 

a Cameroon TPS-based EAD that has the 

notation A–12 or C–19 under Category 

and a ‘‘Card Expires’’ date of December 

7, 2023, this Federal Register notice 

automatically extends your EAD 

through December 7, 2024. Although 

this Federal Register notice 

automatically extends your EAD 

through December 7, 2024, you must reregister timely for TPS in accordance 

with the procedures described in this 

Federal Register notice to maintain your 

TPS and employment authorization. 

When hired, what documentation may 

I show to my employer as evidence of 

identity and employment authorization 

when completing Form I–9? 

You can find the Lists of Acceptable 

Documents on Form I–9, Employment 

Eligibility Verification, as well as the 

Acceptable Documents web page at 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/ 

acceptable-documents. Employers must 

complete Form I–9 to verify the identity 

and employment authorization of all 

new employees. Within three days of 

hire, employees must present acceptable 

documents to their employers as 

evidence of identity and employment 

authorization to satisfy Form I–9 

requirements. 

You may present any document from 

List A (which provides evidence of both 

identity and employment authorization) 

or one document from List B (which 

provides evidence of your identity) 

together with one document from List C 

(which provides evidence of 

employment authorization), or you may 

present an acceptable receipt as 

described in the Form I–9 Instructions. 

Employers may not reject a document 

based on a future expiration date. You 

can find additional information about 

Form I–9 on the I–9 Central web page 

at https://www.uscis.gov/I-9Central. An 

EAD is an acceptable document under 

List A. See the section ‘‘How do my 

employer and I complete Form I–9 using 

my automatically extended EAD for a 

new job?’’ of this Federal Register 

notice for further information. If your 

EAD states A–12 or C–19 under 

Category and has a ‘‘Card Expires’’ date 

of December 7, 2023, it has been 

extended automatically by virtue of this 

Federal Register notice and you may 

choose to present your EAD to your 

employer as proof of identity and 

employment eligibility for Form I–9 

through December 7, 2024, unless your 

TPS has been withdrawn or your 

request for TPS has been denied. Your 

country of birth notated on the EAD 

does not have to reflect the TPS 

designated country of Cameroon for you 

to be eligible for this extension. 

What documentation may I present to 

my employer for Form I–9 if I am 

already employed but my current TPSrelated EAD is set to expire? 

Even though we have automatically 

extended your EAD, your employer is 

required by law to ask you about your 

continued employment authorization. 

Your employer may need to re-examine 

your automatically extended EAD to 

check the ‘‘Card Expires’’ date and 

Category code if your employer did not 

keep a copy of your EAD when you 

initially presented it. Once your 

employer has reviewed the Card 

Expiration date and Category code, your 

employer should update the EAD 

expiration date in Section 2 of Form I– 

9. See the section ‘‘What updates should 

my current employer make to Form I– 

9 if my EAD has been automatically 

extended?’’ of this Federal Register 

notice for further information. You may 

show this Federal Register notice to 

your employer to explain what to do for 

Form I–9 and to show that USCIS has 

automatically extended your EAD 

through December 7, 2024, but you are 

not required to do so. The last day of the 

automatic EAD extension is December 7, 

2024. Before you start work on 

December 8, 2024, your employer is 

required by law to reverify your 

employment authorization on Form I–9. 

By that time, you must present any 

document from List A or any document 

from List C on Form I–9 Lists of 

Acceptable Documents, or an acceptable 

List A or List C receipt described in the 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
69952 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Notices 

Form I–9 instructions to reverify 

employment authorization. 

Your employer may not specify which 

List A or List C document you must 

present and cannot reject an acceptable 

receipt. 

If I have an EAD based on another 

immigration status, can I obtain a new 

TPS-based EAD? 

Yes, if you are eligible for TPS, you 

can obtain a new TPS-based EAD, 

regardless of whether you have an EAD 

or work authorization based on another 

immigration status. If you want to 

obtain a new TPS-based EAD valid 

through June 7, 2025, then you must file 

Form I–765, Application for 

Employment Authorization, and pay the 

associated fee (unless USCIS grants your 

fee waiver request). 

Can my employer require that I provide 

any other documentation such as 

evidence of my status or proof of my 

Cameroonian citizenship or a Form I– 

797C showing that I registered for TPS 

for Form I–9 completion? 

No. When completing Form I–9, 

employers must accept any 

documentation you choose to present 

from the Form I–9 Lists of Acceptable 

Documents that reasonably appears to 

be genuine and that relates to you, or an 

acceptable List A, List B, or List C 

receipt. Employers may not request 

other documentation, such as proof of 

Cameroonian citizenship or proof of 

registration for TPS when completing 

Form I–9 for new hires or reverifying 

the employment authorization of 

current employees. If you present an 

EAD that USCIS has automatically 

extended, employers should accept it as 

a valid List A document so long as the 

EAD reasonably appears to be genuine 

and to relate to you. Refer to the ‘‘Note 

to Employees’’ section of this Federal 

Register notice for important 

information about your rights if your 

employer rejects lawful documentation, 

requires additional documentation, or 

otherwise discriminates against you 

based on your citizenship or 

immigration status, or your national 

origin. 

How do my employer and I complete 

Form I–9 using my automatically 

extended EAD for a new job? 

When using an automatically 

extended EAD to complete Form I–9 for 

a new job before December 8, 2024: 

1. For Section 1, you should: 

a. Check ‘‘A noncitizen authorized to 

work until’’ and enter December 7, 

2024, as the ‘‘expiration date’’; and 

b. Enter your USCIS number or ANumber where indicated. (Your EAD or 

other document from DHS will have 

your USCIS number or A-Number 

printed on it; the USCIS number is the 

same as your A-Number without the A 

prefix.) 

2. For Section 2, employers should: 

a. Determine if the EAD is autoextended by ensuring it is in category 

A–12 or C–19 and has a ‘‘Card Expires’’ 

date of December 7, 2023; 

b. Write in the document title; 

c. Enter the issuing authority; 

d. Provide the document number; and 

e. Write December 7, 2024, as the 

expiration date. 

Before the start of work on December 

8, 2024, employers must reverify the 

employee’s employment authorization 

on Form I–9. 

What updates should my current 

employer make to Form I–9 if my EAD 

has been automatically extended? 

If you presented a TPS-related EAD 

that was valid when you first started 

your job and USCIS has now 

automatically extended your EAD, your 

employer may need to re-examine your 

current EAD if they do not have a copy 

of the EAD on file. Your employer 

should determine if your EAD is 

automatically extended by ensuring that 

it contains Category A–12 or C–19 and 

has a ‘‘Card Expires’’ date of December 

7, 2023. Your employer may not rely on 

the country of birth listed on the card 

to determine whether you are eligible 

for this extension. 

If your employer determines that 

USCIS has automatically extended your 

EAD, your employer should update 

Section 2 of your previously completed 

Form I–9 as follows: 

1. Write EAD EXT and December 7, 

2024, as the last day of the automatic 

extension in the Additional Information 

field; and 

2. Initial and date the correction. 

Note: This is not considered a 

reverification. Employers do not reverify the 

employee until either the automatic 

extension has ended, or the employee 

presents a new document to show continued 

employment authorization, whichever is 

sooner. By December 8, 2024, when the 

employee’s automatically extended EAD has 

expired, employers are required by law to 

reverify the employee’s employment 

authorization on Form I–9. 

If I am an employer enrolled in EVerify, how do I verify a new employee 

whose EAD has been automatically 

extended? 

Employers may create a case in EVerify for a new employee by entering 

the number from the Document Number 

field on Form I–9 into the document 

number field in E-Verify. Employers 

should enter December 7, 2024, as the 

expiration date for an EAD that has been 

extended under this Federal Register 

notice. 

If I am an employer enrolled in EVerify, what do I do when I receive a 

‘‘Work Authorization Documents 

Expiring’’ alert for an automatically 

extended EAD? 

E-Verify automated the verification 

process for TPS-related EADs that are 

automatically extended. If you have 

employees who provided a TPS-related 

EAD when they first started working for 

you, you will receive a ‘‘Work 

Authorization Documents Expiring’’ 

case alert when the auto-extension 

period for this EAD is about to expire. 

Before this employee starts work on 

December 8, 2024, you must reverify 

their employment authorization on 

Form I–9. Employers may not use EVerify for reverification. 

Note to All Employers 

Employers are reminded that the laws 

requiring proper employment eligibility 

verification and prohibiting unfair 

immigration-related employment 

practices remain in full force. This 

Federal Register notice does not 

supersede or in any way limit 

applicable employment verification 

rules and policy guidance, including 

those rules setting forth reverification 

requirements. For general questions 

about the employment eligibility 

verification process, employers may call 

USCIS at 888–464–4218 (TTY 877–875– 

6028) or email USCIS at I-9Central@

uscis.dhs.gov. USCIS accepts calls and 

emails in English and many other 

languages. For questions about avoiding 

discrimination during the employment 

eligibility verification process (Form I– 

9 and E-Verify), employers may call the 

U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights 

Division, Immigrant and Employee 

Rights Section (IER) Employer Hotline 

at 800–255–8155 (TTY 800–237–2515). 

IER offers language interpretation in 

numerous languages. Employers may 

also email IER at IER@usdoj.gov or get 

more information online at 

www.justice.gov/ier. 

Note to Employees 

For general questions about the 

employment eligibility verification 

process, employees may call USCIS at 

888–897–7781 (TTY 877–875–6028) or 

email USCIS at I-9Central@

uscis.dhs.gov. USCIS accepts calls in 

English, Spanish and many other 

languages. Employees or job applicants 

may also call the U.S. Department of 

Justice, Civil Rights Division, Immigrant 

and Employee Rights Section (IER) 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Notices 69953 

Worker Hotline at 800–255–7688 (TTY 

800–237–2515) for information 

regarding employment discrimination 

based on citizenship, immigration 

status, or national origin, including 

discrimination related to Form I–9 and 

E-Verify. The IER Worker Hotline 

provides language interpretation in 

numerous languages. 

To comply with the law, employers 

must accept any document or 

combination of documents from the 

Lists of Acceptable Documents if the 

documentation reasonably appears to be 

genuine and to relate to the employee, 

or an acceptable List A, List B, or List 

C receipt as described in the Form I–9 

Instructions. Employers may not require 

extra or additional documentation 

beyond what is required for Form I–9 

completion. Further, employers 

participating in E-Verify who receive an 

E-Verify case result of ‘‘Tentative 

Nonconfirmation’’ (mismatch) must 

promptly inform employees of the 

mismatch and give such employees an 

opportunity to take action to resolve the 

mismatch. A mismatch means that the 

information entered into E-Verify from 

Form I–9 differs from records available 

to DHS. 

Employers may not terminate, 

suspend, delay training, withhold or 

lower pay, or take any adverse action 

against an employee because of a 

mismatch while the case is still pending 

with E-Verify. A Final Nonconfirmation 

(FNC) case result is received when EVerify cannot confirm an employee’s 

employment eligibility. An employer 

may terminate employment based on a 

case result of FNC. Work-authorized 

employees who receive an FNC may call 

USCIS for assistance at 888–897–7781 

(TTY 877–875–6028). For more 

information about E-Verify-related 

discrimination or to report an employer 

for discrimination in the E-Verify 

process based on citizenship, 

immigration status, or national origin, 

contact IER’s Worker Hotline at 800– 

255–7688 (TTY 800–237–2515). 

Additional information about proper 

nondiscriminatory Form I–9 and EVerify procedures is available on the 

IER website at https://www.justice.gov/ 

ier and the USCIS and E-Verify websites 

at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central and 

https://www.e-verify.gov. 

Note Regarding Federal, State, and 

Local Government Agencies (Such as 

Departments of Motor Vehicles) 

For Federal purposes, if you present 

an automatically extended EAD 

referenced in this Federal Register 

notice, you do not need to show any 

other document, such as a Form I–797C, 

Notice of Action reflecting receipt of a 

Form I–765 EAD renewal application or 

this Federal Register notice, to prove 

that you qualify for this extension. 

While Federal Government agencies 

must follow the guidelines laid out by 

the Federal Government, State and local 

government agencies establish their own 

rules and guidelines when granting 

certain benefits. Each state may have 

different laws, requirements, and 

determinations about what documents 

you need to provide to prove eligibility 

for certain benefits. Whether you are 

applying for a Federal, State, or local 

government benefit, you may need to 

provide the government agency with 

documents that show you are a TPS 

beneficiary, show you are authorized to 

work based on TPS or other status, or 

that may be used by DHS to determine 

if you have TPS or another immigration 

status. Examples of such documents are: 

• Your current EAD with a TPS 

category code of A–12 or C–19, even if 

your country of birth noted on the EAD 

does not reflect the TPS designated 

country of Cameroon; 

• Your Form I–94, Arrival/Departure 

Record; 

• Your Form I–797, Notice of Action, 

reflecting approval of your Form I–765; 

or 

• Form I–797 or Form I–797C, Notice 

of Action, reflecting approval or receipt 

of a past or current Form I–821, if you 

received one from USCIS. 

Check with the government agency 

requesting documentation regarding 

which document(s) the agency will 

accept. Some state and local government 

agencies use the SAVE program to 

confirm the current immigration status 

of applicants for public benefits. 

While SAVE can verify that an 

individual has TPS, each agency’s 

procedures govern whether they will 

accept an unexpired EAD, Form I–797, 

Form I–797C, or Form I–94, Arrival/ 

Departure Record. If an agency accepts 

the type of TPS-related document you 

present, such as an EAD, the agency 

should accept your automatically 

extended EAD, regardless of the country 

of birth listed on the EAD. It may assist 

the agency if you: 

a. Give the agency a copy of the 

relevant Federal Register notice 

showing the extension of TPS-related 

documentation in addition to your 

recent TPS-related document with your 

A-number, USCIS number, or Form I–94 

number; 

b. Explain that SAVE will be able to 

verify the continuation of your TPS 

using this information; and 

c. Ask the agency to initiate a SAVE 

query with your information and follow 

through with additional verification 

steps, if necessary, to get a final SAVE 

response verifying your TPS. 

You can also ask the agency to look 

for SAVE notices or contact SAVE if 

they have any questions about your 

immigration status or automatic 

extension of TPS-related 

documentation. In most cases, SAVE 

provides an automated electronic 

response to benefit-granting agencies 

within seconds, but occasionally 

verification can be delayed. 

You can check the status of your 

SAVE verification by using CaseCheck 

at https://save.uscis.gov/casecheck/. 

CaseCheck is a free service that lets you 

follow the progress of your SAVE 

verification case using your date of birth 

and one immigration identifier number 

(such as A-number, USCIS number, or 

Form I–94 number) or Verification Case 

Number. If an agency has denied your 

application based solely or in part on a 

SAVE response, the agency must offer 

you the opportunity to appeal the 

decision in accordance with the 

agency’s procedures. If the agency has 

received and acted on or will act on a 

SAVE verification and you do not 

believe the SAVE response is correct, 

the SAVE website, https://

www.uscis.gov/save, has detailed 

information on how to make corrections 

or update your immigration record, 

make an appointment, or submit a 

written request to correct records. 

[FR Doc. 2023–22375 Filed 10–6–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9111–97–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND 

URBAN DEVELOPMENT 

[Docket No. FR–7071–N–24] 

60-Day Notice of Proposed Information 

Collection: Project Approval for SingleFamily Condominiums, OMB Control 

No.: 2502–0610 

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant 

Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing 

Commissioner, HUD. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: HUD is seeking approval from 

the Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) for the information collection 

described below. In accordance with the 

Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is 

requesting comment from all interested 

parties on the proposed collection of 

information. The purpose of this notice 

is to allow for 60 days of public 

comment. 

DATES: Comments Due Date: December 

11, 2023. 

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are 

invited to submit comments regarding 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1