Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Notices 69939 

1Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of June 7, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

2Cameroon Crisis Response Plan 2023, UN 

International Office of Migration, Jan. 19, 2023, 

available at https://crisisresponse.iom.int/response/ 

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

July 26, 2023). 

Dated: October 4, 2023. 

Jeffrey Caine, 

Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Customs and 

Border Protection. 

[FR Doc. 2023–22413 Filed 10–6–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9111–14–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement 

[Docket No. ICEB–2023–0012] 

RIN 1653–ZA43 

Employment Authorization for 

Cameroonian F–1 Nonimmigrant 

Students Experiencing Severe 

Economic Hardship as a Direct Result 

of the Current Armed Conflict and 

Current Humanitarian Crisis in 

Cameroon 

AGENCY: U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement; Department of Homeland 

Security. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces that 

the Secretary of Homeland Security 

(Secretary) is suspending certain 

regulatory requirements for F–1 

nonimmigrant students whose country 

of citizenship is Cameroon, regardless of 

country of birth (or individuals having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Cameroon), and who are 

experiencing severe economic hardship 

as a direct result of the current armed 

conflict and current humanitarian crisis 

in Cameroon. The Secretary is taking 

action to provide relief to these 

Cameroonian students who are in lawful 

F–1 nonimmigrant student status, so the 

students may request employment 

authorization, work an increased 

number of hours while school is in 

session, and reduce their course load 

while continuing to maintain their F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. The U.S. 

Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS) will deem an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student granted employment 

authorization by means of this notice to 

be engaged in a ‘‘full course of study’’ 

for the duration of the employment 

authorization, if the nonimmigrant 

student satisfies the minimum course 

load requirement described in this 

notice. 

DATES: This action is effective December 

8, 2023, through June 7, 2025. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sharon Snyder, Unit Chief, Policy and 

Response Unit, Student and Exchange 

Visitor Program, MS 5600, U.S. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 

500 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 

20536–5600. email: sevp@ice.dhs.gov, 

telephone: (703) 603–3400. This is not 

a toll-free number. Program information 

can be found at https://www.ice.gov/ 

sevis/. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

What action is DHS taking under this 

notice? 

The Secretary is exercising authority 

under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9) to temporarily 

suspend the applicability of certain 

requirements governing on-campus and 

off-campus employment for F–1 

nonimmigrant students whose country 

of citizenship is Cameroon regardless of 

country of birth (or individuals having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Cameroon), who are present 

in the United States in lawful F–1 

nonimmigrant student status on the date 

of publication of this notice, and who 

are experiencing severe economic 

hardship as a direct result of the current 

armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Cameroon. The 

original notice, which suspended 

certain regulatory requirements for F–1 

nonimmigrant students experiencing 

severe economic hardship as a direct 

result of the crisis at that time was 

effective from June 7, 2022, through 

December 7, 2023. See 87 FR 34701 

(June 7, 2022). Effective with this 

publication, suspension of the 

employment limitations is available 

through June 7, 2025, for those who are 

in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant status on 

the date of publication of this notice. 

DHS will deem an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student granted employment 

authorization through this notice to be 

engaged in a ‘‘full course of study’’ for 

the duration of the employment 

authorization, if the student satisfies the 

minimum course load set forth in this 

notice.1 See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). 

Who is covered by this notice? 

This notice applies exclusively to F– 

1 nonimmigrant students who meet all 

of the following conditions: 

(1) Are a citizen of Cameroon 

regardless of country of birth (or an 

individual having no nationality who 

last habitually resided in Cameroon); 

(2) Were lawfully present in the 

United States on the date of publication 

of this notice in F–1 nonimmigrant 

status under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of 

the Immigration and Nationality Act 

(INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i); 

(3) Are enrolled in an academic 

institution that is Student and Exchange 

Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified for 

enrollment for F–1 nonimmigrant 

students; 

(4) Are currently maintaining F–1 

nonimmigrant status; and 

(5) Are experiencing severe economic 

hardship as a direct result of the current 

armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Cameroon. 

This notice applies to F–1 

nonimmigrant students in an approved 

private school in kindergarten through 

grade 12, public school grades 9 through 

12, and undergraduate and graduate 

education. An F–1 nonimmigrant 

student covered by this notice who 

transfers to another SEVP-certified 

academic institution remains eligible for 

the relief provided by means of this 

notice. 

Why is DHS taking this action? 

DHS is taking action to provide relief 

to Cameroonian F–1 nonimmigrant 

students experiencing severe economic 

hardship due to the current armed 

conflict and current humanitarian crisis 

in Cameroon. Based on its review of 

country conditions in Cameroon and 

input received from the U.S. 

Department of State (DOS), DHS is 

taking action to allow eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students from Cameroon 

to request employment authorization, 

work an increased number of hours 

while school is in session, and reduce 

their course load while continuing to 

maintain F–1 nonimmigrant status. 

In Cameroon’s Far North region, 

attacks from Boko Haram and the 

Islamic State West Africa Province 

(ISWAP, aka IS–WA, aka ISIS–WA) are 

becoming more frequent as part of the 

armed conflict in that region.2

Separately, the Republic of Cameroon 

continues to face secessionist violence 

in the English-speaking regions 

(Northwest Region and Southwest 

Region). The armed conflict in the Far 

North and violence elsewhere has led to 

a severe humanitarian crisis in 

Cameroon, weakened the economy, and 

caused many Cameroonians to flee to 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
69940 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Notices 

3Cameroon Factsheet, European Union Civil 

Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, 

available at https://civil-protection-humanitarianaid.ec.europa.eu/where/africa/cameroon_en (last 

visited July 26, 2023); See also: Cameroon— 

Situation Report, UNOCHA, available at https://

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

visited July 26, 2023). 

4A Second Look at Cameroon’s Anglophone 

Special Status, ICG, available at https://

www.crisisgroup.org/africa/central-africa/

cameroon/b188-second-look-cameroonsanglophone-special-status (last visited July 26, 

2023). 

5Cameroon Separatists Stage Attack Near FrenchSpeaking City of Douala, Voice of America, 

available at https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ 

library/news/2023/05/mil-230502-voa04.htm (last 

visited July 25, 2023). 

6Cameroon Separatists Stage Attack Near FrenchSpeaking City of Douala, Voice of America, 

available at https://www.voanews.com/a/cameroonseparatists-stage-attack-near-french-speaking-cityof-douala/7075202.html (last visited July 25, 2023). 

7Cameroon Separatists Stage Attack Near FrenchSpeaking City of Douala, Voice of American, 

available at https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ 

library/news/2023/05/mil-230502-voa04.htm (last 

visited July 25, 2023). 

8Cameroon: Events of 2022, Human Rights 

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

visited July 26, 2023). 

9Cameroon could face new atrocity crimes after 

deploying government forces to counter armed 

separatists, Robert Lansing Institute, available at 

https://lansinginstitute.org/2023/01/20/camerooncould-facenew-atrocity-crimes-after-deployinggovernment-forces-to-counter-armed-separatists/ 

(last visited July 26, 2023). 

10Cameroon: Suspected separatists kidnap 50 

women in Mezam Department, Northwest Region, 

May 19, Crisis 24, available at https://

crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2023/05/cameroonsuspected-separatists-kidnap-50-women-in-mezamdepartment-northwest-region-may-19 (last visited 

July 26, 2023). 

11 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights 

Practices: Cameroon, US Department of State, 

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

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

cameroon/ (last visited July 25, 2023). 

12 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights 

Practices: Cameroon, US Department of State, 

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

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

cameroon/ (last visited July 25, 2023). 

13The World Bank in Cameroon, World Bank, 

available at https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/ 

cameroon/overview (last visited July 25, 2023). 

14Cameroon Humanitarian Needs Overview 2023 

(March 2023), United Nations Office for the 

Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), 

https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/

cameroon/cameroon-humanitarian-needs-overview2023-march-2023 (last visited Sept. 26, 2023). 

15 Id. 

16Cameroon Economic Outlook, African 

Development Bank, available at https://

www.afdb.org/en/countries/central-africa/

cameroon (last visited July 24, 2023). 

17Cameroon Overview, World Bank, available at 

https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/cameroon/

overview (last visited July 24, 2023). 

18Cameroon: Events of 2022, Human Rights 

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

visited July 26, 2023). 

19Cameroon Multi Country Office: Refugees and 

Internally Displaced Persons (Figures available as of 

31 May 2023), Relief, available at https://

reliefweb.int/map/cameroon/cameroon-multicountry-office-refugees-and-internally-displacedpersons-figures-available-31-may-2023 (last visited 

July 26, 2023). 

20Persons of Concern in Cameroon MCO (January 

2023), UN OCHA Reliefweb, Feb. 27, 2023, 

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

persons-/concern-cameroon-/mco-january-2023 

(last visited July 26, 2023). 

21Cameroonian Refugees in Nigeria—Operational 

Update, November 2022, UN OCHA Reliefweb, Dec. 

19, 2022, available at https://reliefweb.int/report/

nigeria/cameroonian-refugees-nigeria-operationalupdate-november-2022 (last visited Sept. 26, 2023). 

22Cameroon Humanitarian Needs Overview 2023 

(March 2023), Reliefweb, available at https://

reliefweb.int/report//cameroon/cameroon-/ 

humanitarian-needs-/overview-2023-march-2023

#:∼:text=In%202023%2C%/20one

%20out%20of,)%2C%20returnees/%2C%20or

%20refugees (last visited July 26, 2023). 

23Cameroon Factsheet, European Union Civil 

Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, 2023, 

available at https://civil-protection-humanitarianaid.ec.europa.eu/where/africa/cameroon_en (last 

visited July 26, 2023). 

24Cameroon Crisis Response Plan 2023, UN 

International Office of Migration, available at 

https://crisisresponse.iom.int/response/camerooncrisis-response-plan-2023 (last visited July 26, 

2023). 

25Cameroon—Situation Report, UNOCHA, 

available at https://reports.unocha.org/en/country/ 

cameroon/ (last visited July 26, 2023). 

internal displacement camps or to 

foreign countries as refugees.3

Secessionist Violence 

According to the International Crisis 

Group, armed separatists continue to 

ambush security forces and harass aid 

workers in their fight to secede from the 

majority-Francophone country.4 For the 

first time, in May 2023, armed 

separatists attacked military posts near 

the second largest city of Cameroon, 

Douala.5 The city of Douala houses a 

strategic seaport of about four million 

people, which supplies 80 percent of 

the imported goods for the neighboring 

landlocked Central African Republic 

and Chad.6 Officials say the separatists 

killed at least six people and wounded 

many others.7 Separatists have also 

targeted civilians in other ways.8 For 

example, the separatists have kidnapped 

civilians for ransom, extorted 

shopkeepers and others, and imposed 

their own taxes on businesses.9

Meanwhile, the Separatists continue 

targeted violence continues in the 

English-speaking regions.10

Economic Concerns 

Armed separatists have restricted the 

movements of persons and goods in the 

Northwest and Southwest Regions, 

sometimes in a deliberate attempt to 

harass and intimidate the local 

population.11 Separatists are frequently 

using weekly lockdowns, sometimes 

referred to as ‘‘ghost towns’’ to limit 

movement by ordering businesses, 

schools, and places of worship closed, 

and residents to remain home.12

According to the World Bank, 

Cameroon suffers from weak 

governance, hindering its development 

and ability to attract investors.13 The 

2021/2022 Human Development Index 

ranked Cameroon 151 out of 191 

countries.14 Although there has been 

some economic progress, poverty 

remains a significant problem. It is 

estimated that 37.5 percent of the 

country’s population lives below the 

poverty line and in some other regions 

this estimate exceeds 70 percent.15

According to the African 

Development Bank, real GDP growth 

decreased to 3.4 percent in 2022 from 

3.6 percent in 2021. Inflation increased 

to 6.2 percent in 2022 from 2.3 percent 

in 2021, which exceeds the Central 

African Economic and Monetary 

Community (CEMAC) goal of 3 

percent.16 The World Bank also 

reported on Cameroon’s high inflation 

and cited the war in Ukraine and the 

COVID–19 pandemic as contributing 

factors to it.17

Humanitarian Concerns 

Cameroon faces a humanitarian crisis 

due to multiple factors including the 

violence in the English-speaking regions 

and the conflict in the Far-North region. 

Islamist armed groups like Boko Haram 

and ISWAP have continued attacks in 

this region, killing many civilians, and 

further contributing to the internal 

displacement of over 378,000 of 

Cameroonians by July 2022 alone.18 As 

of May 2023, there were 1,066,254 

internally displaced persons,19 an 

increase from 983,281 internally 

displaced persons in February 2022,20

as well as over 86,000 Cameroonian 

refugees in Nigeria as of November 

2022.21

According to the United Nations, ‘‘in 

2023, one out of six people living in 

Cameroon needs humanitarian 

assistance and protection, a total of 4.7 

million people. More than 3.2 million 

people are projected to face acute food 

insecurity in 2023.’’ 22 ‘‘While 3.9 

million people needed humanitarian 

assistance in 2022, a higher number (4.7 

million) may need it in 2023, according 

to the United Nations Office for the 

Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 

(UN OCHA)’s draft 2023 Humanitarian 

Need Overview.’’ 23 ‘‘Additionally, the 

country faces the enormous challenge of 

ensuring food security in the face of the 

fastest increases in commodity prices 

for food since 2008.’’ 24

According to the UN OCHA, in 2023, 

3 million people are estimated to be 

facing acute food insecurity in 

Cameroon.25 Additionally, more than 2 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Notices 69941 

26 Id. 

27 Id. 

28Cameroon: Events of 2022, Human Rights 

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

visited July 26, 2023). 

29 Id. 

30Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of June 7, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

31See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

million people are classified as 

internally displaced persons (IDPs), 

returnee persons or refugees, and do not 

have access to many services.26 The UN 

OCHA also estimates that 77 percent of 

those in need of humanitarian 

assistance are women and children.27

The humanitarian situation continues 

to deteriorate due to the activities of 

armed groups that have obstructed aid 

agencies’ access to areas they control.28

Moreover, the armed groups continue to 

damage and destroy civilian 

infrastructures.29

As of September 19, 2023, 

approximately 1,160 F–1 nonimmigrant 

students from Cameroon are enrolled at 

SEVP-certified academic institutions in 

the United States. Given the extent of 

the current armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Cameroon, 

affected students whose primary means 

of financial support comes from 

Cameroon may need to be exempt from 

the normal student employment 

requirements to continue their studies 

in the United States. The current armed 

conflict and current humanitarian crisis 

has made it unfeasible for many 

students to safely return to Cameroon 

for the foreseeable future. Without 

employment authorization, these 

students may lack the means to meet 

basic living expenses. 

What is the minimum course load 

requirement to maintain valid F–1 

nonimmigrant status under this notice? 

Undergraduate F–1 nonimmigrant 

students who receive on-campus or offcampus employment authorization 

under this notice must remain registered 

for a minimum of six semester or 

quarter hours of instruction per 

academic term. Undergraduate F–1 

nonimmigrant students enrolled in a 

term of different duration must register 

for at least one half of the credit hours 

normally required under a ‘‘full course 

of study.’’ See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(B) 

and (F). A graduate-level F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives oncampus or off-campus employment 

authorization under this notice must 

remain registered for a minimum of 

three semester or quarter hours of 

instruction per academic term. See 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v). Nothing in this 

notice affects the applicability of other 

minimum course load requirements set 

by the academic institution. 

In addition, an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student (either undergraduate or 

graduate) granted on-campus or offcampus employment authorization 

under this notice may count up to the 

equivalent of one class or three credits 

per session, term, semester, trimester, or 

quarter of online or distance education 

toward satisfying this minimum course 

load requirement, unless their course of 

study is in an English language study 

program. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G). An 

F–1 nonimmigrant student attending an 

approved private school in kindergarten 

through grade 12 or public school in 

grades 9 through 12 must maintain 

‘‘class attendance for not less than the 

minimum number of hours a week 

prescribed by the school for normal 

progress toward graduation,’’ as 

required under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(E). 

Nothing in this notice affects the 

applicability of federal and state labor 

laws limiting the employment of 

minors. 

May an eligible F–1 nonimmigrant 

student who already has on-campus or 

off-campus employment authorization 

benefit from the suspension of 

regulatory requirements under this 

notice? 

Yes. An F–1 nonimmigrant student 

who is a Cameroonian citizen, 

regardless of country of birth (or an 

individual having no nationality who 

last habitually resided in Cameroon), 

who already has on-campus or offcampus employment authorization and 

is otherwise eligible may benefit under 

this notice, which suspends certain 

regulatory requirements relating to the 

minimum course load requirement 

under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i) and certain 

employment eligibility requirements 

under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9). Such an 

eligible F–1 nonimmigrant student may 

benefit without having to apply for a 

new Form I–766, Employment 

Authorization Document (EAD). To 

benefit from this notice, the F–1 

nonimmigrant student must request that 

their designated school official (DSO) 

enter the following statement in the 

remarks field of the student’s Student 

and Exchange Visitor Information 

System (SEVIS) record, which the 

student’s Form I–20, Certificate of 

Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F–1) 

Student Status, will reflect: 

Approved for more than 20 hours per 

week of [DSO must insert ‘‘on-campus’’ 

or ‘‘off-campus,’’ depending upon the 

type of employment authorization the 

student already has] employment 

authorization and reduced course load 

under the Special Student Relief 

authorization from [DSO must insert the 

beginning date of the notice or the 

beginning date of the student’s 

employment, whichever date is later] 

until [DSO must insert either the 

student’s program end date, the current 

EAD expiration date (if the student is 

currently authorized for off-campus 

employment), or the end date of this 

notice, whichever date comes first].30

Must the F–1 nonimmigrant student 

apply for reinstatement after expiration 

of this special employment 

authorization if the student reduces his 

or her ‘‘full course of study’’? 

No. DHS will deem an F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives and 

comports with the employment 

authorization permitted under this 

notice to be engaged in a ‘‘full course of 

study’’ 31 for the duration of the 

student’s employment authorization, 

provided that a qualifying 

undergraduate level F–1 nonimmigrant 

student remains registered for a 

minimum of six semester or quarter 

hours of instruction per academic term, 

and a qualifying graduate level F–1 

nonimmigrant student remains 

registered for a minimum of three 

semester or quarter hours of instruction 

per academic term. See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(5)(v) and (f)(6)(i)(F). 

Undergraduate F–1 nonimmigrant 

students enrolled in a term of different 

duration must register for at least one 

half of the credit hours normally 

required under a ‘‘full course of study.’’ 

See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(B) and (F). DHS 

will not require such students to apply 

for reinstatement under 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(16) if they are otherwise 

maintaining F–1 nonimmigrant status. 

Will an F–2 dependent (spouse or 

minor child) of an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student covered by this notice be 

eligible for employment authorization? 

No. An F–2 spouse or minor child of 

an F–1 nonimmigrant student is not 

authorized to work in the United States 

and, therefore, may not accept 

employment under the F–2 

nonimmigrant status, consistent with 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(15)(i). 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
69942 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Notices 

32Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of June 7, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

33See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

34Minimum course load requirement for 

enrollment in a school must be established in a 

publicly available document (e.g., catalog, website, 

or operating procedure), and it must be a standard 

applicable to all students (U.S. citizens and foreign 

students) enrolled at the school. 

Will the suspension of the applicability 

of the standard student employment 

requirements apply to an individual 

who receives an initial F–1 visa and 

makes an initial entry into the United 

States after the effective date of this 

notice in the Federal Register? 

No. The suspension of the 

applicability of the standard regulatory 

requirements only applies to certain F– 

1 nonimmigrant students who meet the 

following conditions: 

(1) Are a citizen of Cameroon 

regardless of country of birth (or an 

individual having no nationality who 

last habitually resided in Cameroon); 

(2) Were lawfully present in the 

United States on the date of publication 

of this notice in F–1 nonimmigrant 

status, under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of 

the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i); 

(3) Are enrolled in an academic 

institution that is SEVP-certified for 

enrollment of F–1 nonimmigrant 

students; 

(4) Are maintaining F–1 

nonimmigrant status; and 

(5) Are experiencing severe economic 

hardship as a direct result of the current 

armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Cameroon. 

An F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

does not meet all these requirements is 

ineligible for the suspension of the 

applicability of the standard regulatory 

requirements (even if experiencing 

severe economic hardship as a direct 

result of the current armed conflict and 

current humanitarian crisis in 

Cameroon). 

Does this notice apply to a continuing 

F–1 nonimmigrant student who departs 

the United States after the effective date 

of this notice in the Federal Register 

and who needs to obtain a new F–1 visa 

before returning to the United States to 

continue an educational program? 

Yes. This notice applies to such an F– 

1 nonimmigrant student, but only if the 

DSO has properly notated the student’s 

SEVIS record, which will then appear 

on the student’s Form I–20. The normal 

rules for visa issuance remain 

applicable to a nonimmigrant who 

needs to apply for a new F–1 visa to 

continue an educational program in the 

United States. 

Does this notice apply to elementary 

school, middle school, and high school 

students in F–1 status? 

Yes. However, this notice does not by 

itself reduce the required course load for 

F–1 nonimmigrant students from 

Cameroon enrolled in kindergarten 

through grade 12 at a private school, or 

grades 9 through 12 at a public high 

school. Such students must maintain 

the minimum number of hours of class 

attendance per week prescribed by the 

academic institution for normal progress 

toward graduation, as required under 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(E). The suspension of 

certain regulatory requirements related 

to employment through this notice is 

applicable to all eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students regardless of 

educational level. Eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students from Cameroon 

enrolled in an elementary school, 

middle school, or high school may 

benefit from the suspension of the 

requirement in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i) that 

limits on-campus employment to 20 

hours per week while school is in 

session. 

On-Campus Employment Authorization 

Will an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

receives on-campus employment 

authorization under this notice be 

authorized to work more than 20 hours 

per week while school is in session? 

Yes. For an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student covered in this notice, the 

Secretary is suspending the 

applicability of the requirement in 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i) that limits an F–1 

nonimmigrant student’s on-campus 

employment to 20 hours per week while 

school is in session. An eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant student has authorization 

to work more than 20 hours per week 

while school is in session if the DSO has 

entered the following statement in the 

remarks field of the student’s SEVIS 

record, which will be reflected on the 

student’s Form I–20: 

Approved for more than 20 hours per 

week of on-campus employment and 

reduced course load, under the Special 

Student Relief authorization from [DSO 

must insert the beginning date of this 

notice or the beginning date of the 

student’s employment, whichever date 

is later] until [DSO must insert the 

student’s program end date or the end 

date of this notice, whichever date 

comes first].32

To obtain on-campus employment 

authorization, the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student must demonstrate to the DSO 

that the employment is necessary to 

avoid severe economic hardship directly 

resulting from the current armed 

conflict and current humanitarian crisis 

in Cameroon. An F–1 nonimmigrant 

student authorized by the DSO to 

engage in on-campus employment by 

means of this notice does not need to 

file any applications with U.S. 

Citizenship and Immigration Services 

(USCIS). The standard rules permitting 

full-time employment on-campus when 

school is not in session or during school 

vacations apply, as described in 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(9)(i). 

Will an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

receives on-campus employment 

authorization under this notice have 

authorization to reduce the normal 

course load and still maintain his or 

her F–1 nonimmigrant student status? 

Yes. DHS will deem an F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives oncampus employment authorization 

under this notice to be engaged in a 

‘‘full course of study’’ 33 for the purpose 

of maintaining their F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status for the duration of the oncampus employment, if the student 

satisfies the minimum course load 

requirement described in this notice, 

consistent with 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). 

However, the authorization to reduce 

the normal course load is solely for DHS 

purposes of determining valid F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. Nothing 

in this notice mandates that school 

officials allow an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student to take a reduced course load if 

the reduction would not meet the 

academic institution’s minimum course 

load requirement for continued 

enrollment.34

Off-Campus Employment Authorization 

What regulatory requirements does this 

notice temporarily suspend relating to 

off-campus employment? 

For an F–1 nonimmigrant student 

covered by this notice, as provided 

under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(A), the 

Secretary is suspending the following 

regulatory requirements relating to offcampus employment: 

(a) The requirement that a student 

must have been in F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status for one full academic year 

to be eligible for off-campus 

employment; 

(b) The requirement that an F–1 

nonimmigrant student must 

demonstrate that acceptance of 

employment will not interfere with the 

student’s carrying a full course of study; 


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35See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

36Minimum course load requirement for 

enrollment in a school must be established in a 

publicly available document (e.g., catalog, website, 

or operating procedure), and it must be a standard 

applicable to all students (U.S. citizens and foreign 

students) enrolled at the school. 

37See 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(3)(iii). 

38Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of June 7, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

39See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

40 40 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v). 

41 Guidance for direct filing addresses can be 

found here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses. 

(c) The requirement that limits an F– 

1 nonimmigrant student’s employment 

authorization to no more than 20 hours 

per week of off-campus employment 

while the school is in session; and 

(d) The requirement that the student 

demonstrate that employment under 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i) is unavailable or 

otherwise insufficient to meet the needs 

that have arisen as a result of the 

unforeseen circumstances. 

Will an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

receives off-campus employment 

authorization under this notice have 

authorization to reduce the normal 

course load and still maintain F–1 

nonimmigrant status? 

Yes. DHS will deem an F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives offcampus employment authorization by 

means of this notice to be engaged in a 

‘‘full course of study’’ 35 for the purpose 

of maintaining F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status for the duration of the 

student’s employment authorization if 

the student satisfies the minimum 

course load requirement described in 

this notice, consistent with 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). The authorization for a 

reduced course load is solely for DHS 

purposes of determining valid F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. Nothing 

in this notice mandates that school 

officials allow an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student to take a reduced course load if 

such reduced course load would not 

meet the school’s minimum course load. 

requirement.36

How may an eligible F–1 nonimmigrant 

student obtain employment 

authorization for off-campus 

employment with a reduced course 

load under this notice? 

An F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

file a Form I–765, Application for 

Employment Authorization, with USCIS 

to apply for off-campus employment 

authorization based on severe economic 

hardship directly resulting from the 

current armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Cameroon.37

Filing instructions are located at https:// 

www.uscis.gov/i-765. 

Fee considerations. Submission of a 

Form I–765 currently requires payment 

of a $410 fee. An applicant who is 

unable to pay the fee may submit a 

completed Form I–912, Request for Fee 

Waiver, along with the Form I–765, 

Application for Employment 

Authorization. See https://

www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/ 

additional-information-on-filing-a-feewaiver. The submission must include an 

explanation about why USCIS should 

grant the fee waiver and the reason(s) 

for the inability to pay, and any 

evidence to support the reason(s). See 8 

CFR 103.7(c) (Oct. 1, 2020). 

Supporting documentation. An F–1 

nonimmigrant student seeking offcampus employment authorization due 

to severe economic hardship must 

demonstrate the following to their DSO: 

(1) This employment is necessary to 

avoid severe economic hardship; and 

(2) The hardship is a direct result of 

the current armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Cameroon. 

If the DSO agrees that the F–1 

nonimmigrant student is entitled to 

receive such employment authorization, 

the DSO must recommend application 

approval to USCIS by entering the 

following statement in the remarks field 

of the student’s SEVIS record, which 

will then appear on that student’s Form 

I–20: 

Recommended for off-campus 

employment authorization in excess of 

20 hours per week and reduced course 

load under the Special Student Relief 

authorization from the date of the 

USCIS authorization noted on Form I– 

766 until [DSO must insert the program 

end date or the end date of this notice, 

whichever date comes first].38

The F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

then file the properly endorsed Form I– 

20 and Form I–765 according to the 

instructions for the Form I–765. The F– 

1 nonimmigrant student may begin 

working off campus only upon receipt 

of the EAD from USCIS. 

DSO recommendation. In making a 

recommendation that an F–1 

nonimmigrant student be approved for 

Special Student Relief, the DSO certifies 

that: 

(a) The F–1 nonimmigrant student is 

in good academic standing and is 

carrying a ‘‘full course of study’’ 39 at the 

time of the request for employment 

authorization; 

(b) The F–1 nonimmigrant student is 

a citizen of Cameroon, regardless of 

country of birth (or an individual having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Cameroon), and is 

experiencing severe economic hardship 

as a direct result of the current armed 

conflict and current humanitarian crisis 

in Cameroon, as documented on the 

Form I–20; 

(c) The F–1 nonimmigrant student has 

confirmed that the student will comply 

with the reduced course load 

requirements of this notice and register 

for the duration of the authorized 

employment for a minimum of six 

semester or quarter hours of instruction 

per academic term if at the 

undergraduate level, or for a minimum 

of three semester or quarter hours of 

instruction per academic term if the 

student is at the graduate level; 40 and 

(d) The off-campus employment is 

necessary to alleviate severe economic 

hardship to the individual as a direct 

result of the current armed conflict and 

current humanitarian crisis in 

Cameroon. 

Processing. To facilitate prompt 

adjudication of the student’s application 

for off-campus employment 

authorization under 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(9)(ii)(C), the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student should do both of the following: 

(a) Ensure that the application 

package includes the following 

documents: 

(1) A completed Form I–765 with all 

applicable supporting evidence; 

(2) The required fee or properly 

documented fee waiver request as 

defined in 8 CFR 103.7(c) (Oct. 1, 2020); 

and 

(3) A signed and dated copy of the 

student’s Form I–20 with the 

appropriate DSO recommendation, as 

previously described in this notice; and 

(b) Send the application in an 

envelope which is clearly marked on the 

front of the envelope, bottom right-hand 

side, with the phrase ‘‘SPECIAL 

STUDENT RELIEF.’’ 41 Failure to 

include this notation may result in 

significant processing delays. 

If USCIS approves the student’s Form 

I–765, USCIS will send the student a 

Form I–766 EAD as evidence of 

employment authorization. The EAD 

will contain an expiration date that does 

not exceed the end of the granted 

temporary relief. 


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69944 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 / Notices 

42See DHS Study in the States, Special Student 

Relief, https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/ 

special-student-relief (last visited May 10, 2023). 43See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

44Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of June 7, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) 

Considerations 

Can an F–1 nonimmigrant student 

apply for TPS and for benefits under 

this notice at the same time? 

Yes. An F–1 nonimmigrant student 

who has not yet applied for TPS or for 

other relief that reduces the student’s 

course load per term and permits an 

increased number of work hours per 

week, such as Special Student Relief,42

under this notice has two options. 

Under the first option, the F–1 

nonimmigrant student may apply for 

TPS according to the instructions in the 

USCIS notice designating Cameroon for 

TPS elsewhere in this issue of the 

Federal Register. All TPS applicants 

must file a Form I–821, Application for 

Temporary Protected Status, with the 

appropriate fee (or request a fee waiver). 

Although not required to do so, if F–1 

nonimmigrant students want to obtain a 

new TPS-related EAD that is valid 

through June 7, 2025, and to be eligible 

for automatic EAD extensions that may 

be available to certain EADs with an A– 

12 or C–19 category code, they must file 

Form I–765 and pay the Form I–765 fee 

(or request a fee waiver). After receiving 

the TPS-related EAD, an F–1 

nonimmigrant student may request that 

their DSO make the required entry in 

SEVIS and issue an updated Form I–20, 

which notates that the nonimmigrant 

student has been authorized to carry a 

reduced course load, as described in 

this notice. As long as the F–1 

nonimmigrant student maintains the 

minimum course load described in this 

notice, does not otherwise violate their 

nonimmigrant status, including as 

provided under 8 CFR 214.1(g), and 

maintains TPS, then the student 

maintains F–1 status and TPS 

concurrently. 

Under the second option, the F–1 

nonimmigrant student may apply for an 

EAD under Special Student Relief by 

filing Form I–765 with the location 

specified in the filing instructions. At 

the same time, the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student may file a separate TPS 

application but must submit the Form I– 

821 according to the instructions 

provided in the Federal Register notice 

designating Cameroon for TPS. If the F– 

1 nonimmigrant student has already 

applied for employment authorization 

under Special Student Relief, they are 

not required to submit the Form I–765 

as part of the TPS application. However, 

some nonimmigrant students may wish 

to obtain a TPS-related EAD in light of 

certain extensions that may be available 

to EADs with an A–12 or C–19 category 

code that are not available to the C–3 

category under which Special Student 

Relief falls. The F–1 nonimmigrant 

student should check the appropriate 

box when filling out Form I–821 to 

indicate whether a TPS-related EAD is 

being requested. Again, so long as the 

F–1 nonimmigrant student maintains 

the minimum course load described in 

this notice and does not otherwise 

violate the student’s nonimmigrant 

status, included as provided under 8 

CFR 214.1(g), the nonimmigrant will be 

able to maintain compliance 

requirements for F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status while having TPS. 

When a student applies simultaneously 

for TPS and benefits under this notice, 

what is the minimum course load 

requirement while an application for 

employment authorization is pending? 

The F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

maintain normal course load 

requirements for a ‘‘full course of 

study’’ 43 unless or until the 

nonimmigrant student receives 

employment authorization under this 

notice. TPS-related employment 

authorization, by itself, does not 

authorize a nonimmigrant student to 

drop below twelve credit hours, or 

otherwise applicable minimum 

requirements (e.g., clock hours for nontraditional academic programs). Once 

approved for a TPS-related EAD and 

Special Student Relief employment 

authorization, as indicated by the DSO’s 

required entry in SEVIS and issuance of 

an updated Form I–20, the F–1 

nonimmigrant student may drop below 

twelve credit hours, or otherwise 

applicable minimum requirements (with 

a minimum of six semester or quarter 

hours of instruction per academic term 

if at the undergraduate level, or for a 

minimum of three semester or quarter 

hours of instruction per academic term 

if at the graduate level). See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(5)(v), (f)(6), and (f)(9)(i) and (ii). 

How does a student who has received 

a TPS-related EAD then apply for 

authorization to take a reduced course 

load under this notice? 

There is no further application 

process with USCIS if a student has 

been approved for a TPS-related EAD. 

The F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

demonstrate and provide 

documentation to the DSO of the direct 

economic hardship resulting from the 

current armed conflict and current 

humanitarian crisis in Cameroon. The 

DSO will then verify and update the 

student’s record in SEVIS to enable the 

F–1 nonimmigrant student with TPS to 

reduce the course load without any 

further action or application. No other 

EAD needs to be issued for the F–1 

nonimmigrant student to have 

employment authorization. 

Can a noncitizen who has been granted 

TPS apply for reinstatement of F–1 

nonimmigrant student status after the 

noncitizen’s F–1 nonimmigrant student 

status has lapsed? 

Yes. Regulations permit certain 

students who fall out of F–1 

nonimmigrant student status to apply 

for reinstatement. See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(16). This provision may apply 

to students who worked on a TPSrelated EAD or dropped their course 

load before publication of this notice, 

and therefore fell out of student status. 

These students must satisfy the criteria 

set forth in the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status reinstatement regulations. 

How long will this notice remain in 

effect? 

This notice grants temporary relief 

until June 7, 2025,44 to eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students. DHS will 

continue to monitor the situation in 

Cameroon. Should the special 

provisions authorized by this notice 

need modification or extension, DHS 

will announce such changes in the 

Federal Register. 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 

An F–1 nonimmigrant student seeking 

off-campus employment authorization 

due to severe economic hardship 

resulting from the current armed 

conflict and current humanitarian crisis 

in Cameroon must demonstrate to the 

DSO that this employment is necessary 

to avoid severe economic hardship. A 

DSO who agrees that a nonimmigrant 

student should receive such 

employment authorization must 

recommend an application approval to 

USCIS by entering information in the 

remarks field of the student’s SEVIS 

record. The authority to collect this 

information is in the SEVIS collection of 

information currently approved by the 

Office of Management and Budget 


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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 


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