[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16607-16608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8835]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service
[INS No. 1842-97]
RIN 1115-AE77


Direct Mail Program; Form I-360

AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice.

ACTION: Notice of Expansion of the Direct Mail Program.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the Immigration and Naturalization 
Service's (Service) plan to expand the Direct Mail Program to include 
the filing of self-petitions by a battered spouse or child on Form I-
360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant. The 
Service will now require that all Forms I-360, filed by a self-
petitioning battered spouse, child, or by the parent of a battered 
child, be mailed directly to the Vermont Service Center. This change 
will enable the Service to expedite the processing of these petitions.


[[Page 16608]]


DATES: This notice is effective May 7, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Karen FitzGerald, Staff Officer, Immigration and Naturalization 
Service, Adjudications and Nationality Division, 425 I Street, NW., 
Room 3214, Washington, DC 20536, telephone (202) 514-5014.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under 8 CFR 103.2(a), applications submitted to the Service must be 
executed and filed in accordance with the instructions on the 
application form. By eliminating specific reference to filing location, 
this regulation provides service center directors with the authority to 
accept and process applications designated for Direct Mail. It also 
provides the Service with the flexibility to shift filings to the 
service centers as the Direct Mail Program continues to expand.
    Recent legislation and the publication of an interim rule on March 
26, 1996, at 59 FR 13061 have led the Service to conclude that 
expansion of the use of the direct mail program to include I-360 
petitions filed in accordance with the provisions of the Violence 
Against Women Act (VAWA) is warranted.
    It is the intent of the Service to ensure sensitive and expeditious 
processing of the petitions filed by this class of at-risk applicants. 
Institution of a centralized direct mail filing process enables the 
Service to accomplish this and engenders uniformity in the adjudication 
of all applications of this type. This modification also enhances the 
Service's ability to be more responsive to inquiries from applicants, 
their representatives, and benefit-granting agencies.

Where to File

    Effective May 7, 1997, Form I-360 for self-petitioning battered 
spouses and children residing within the United States must be mailed, 
with all supporting documentation, directly to the following address: 
USINS Vermont Service Center, 75 Lower Weldon Street, St. Albans, VT 
05479. Applicants may obtain the Form I-360 by telephoning the toll-
free INS Forms Request Line, 1-800-870-3676.

Special Note

    This notice does not apply to I-360 petitions filed by Amerasians, 
widow(er)s, or special immigrants.

Transition

    During the first 30 days following the effective date of this 
notice, district offices and service centers will forward to the 
Vermont Service Center, in a timely manner, any Form I-360 filed by a 
self-petitioning battered spouse or child, which has been inadvertently 
mailed to an office other than the Vermont Service Center. Petitions 
filed prior to the effective date of this notice will be adjudicated at 
the place of initial filing.
    Appeals or motions to reopen or reconsider denied I-360 petitions 
submitted to the Service prior to May 7, 1997 will be processed by the 
office where the I-360 was originally filed and adjudicated. Appeals 
and motions filed during the transition period, and after this notice 
goes into effect, should be filed with the Vermont Service Center and 
will be processed by that office.
    During the transition period, the Service intends to work closely 
with community organizations and advocacy groups to provide information 
and assistance to the public regarding this change.
    After the 30-day transition period, self-petitioning battered 
spouses and children will be directed to mail the Form I-360 to the 
Vermont Service Center for processing.

    Dated: March 22, 1997.
Doris Meissner,
Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service.
[FR Doc. 97-8835 Filed 4-4-97; 8:45 am]
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