Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 7, 2022 / Notices 34701 

available for inspection at both the 

online location and the respective 

Community Map Repository address 

listed in the table below. Additionally, 

the current effective FIRM and FIS 

report for each community are 

accessible online through the FEMA 

Map Service Center at https://

msc.fema.gov for comparison. 

You may submit comments, identified 

by Docket No. FEMA–B–2218, to Rick 

Sacbibit, Chief, Engineering Services 

Branch, Federal Insurance and 

Mitigation Administration, FEMA, 400 

C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472, 

(202) 646–7659, or (email) 

patrick.sacbibit@fema.dhs.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick 

Sacbibit, Chief, Engineering Services 

Branch, Federal Insurance and 

Mitigation Administration, FEMA, 400 

C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472, 

(202) 646–7659, or (email) 

patrick.sacbibit@fema.dhs.gov; or visit 

the FEMA Mapping and Insurance 

eXchange (FMIX) online at https://

www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/fmx_

main.html. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FEMA 

proposes to make flood hazard 

determinations for each community 

listed in the table below, in accordance 

with Section 110 of the Flood Disaster 

Protection Act of 1973, 42 U.S.C. 4104, 

and 44 CFR 67.4(a). 

These proposed flood hazard 

determinations, together with the 

floodplain management criteria required 

by 44 CFR 60.3, are the minimum that 

are required. They should not be 

construed to mean that the community 

must change any existing ordinances 

that are more stringent in their 

floodplain management requirements. 

The community may at any time enact 

stricter requirements of its own, or 

pursuant to policies established by other 

Federal, State, or regional entities. 

These flood hazard determinations are 

used to meet the floodplain 

management requirements of the NFIP. 

Use of a Scientific Resolution Panel 

(SRP) is available to communities in 

support of the appeal resolution 

process. SRPs are independent panels of 

experts in hydrology, hydraulics, and 

other pertinent sciences established to 

review conflicting scientific and 

technical data and provide 

recommendations for resolution. Use of 

the SRP may only be exercised after 

FEMA and local communities have been 

engaged in a collaborative consultation 

process for at least 60 days without a 

mutually acceptable resolution of an 

appeal. Additional information 

regarding the SRP process can be found 

online at https://floodsrp.org/pdfs/srp_

fact_sheet.pdf. 

The communities affected by the 

flood hazard determinations are 

provided in the table below. Any 

request for reconsideration of the 

revised flood hazard determinations 

shown on the Preliminary FIRM and FIS 

report that satisfies the data 

requirements outlined in 44 CFR 67.6(b) 

is considered an appeal. Comments 

unrelated to the flood hazard 

determinations will also be considered 

before the FIRM and FIS report are 

made final. 

Correction 

In the proposed flood hazard 

determination notice published at 87 FR 

12971 in the March 8, 2022, issue of the 

Federal Register, FEMA published a 

table titled ‘‘Chippewa County, 

Wisconsin, and Incorporated Areas’’. 

This table contained inaccurate 

information as to the communities 

affected by the proposed flood hazard 

determinations in Chippewa County, 

Wisconsin, featured in the table. In this 

document, FEMA is publishing a table 

containing the accurate information. 

The information provided below should 

be used in lieu of that previously 

published. 

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 

97.022, ‘‘Flood Insurance.’’) 

Michael M. Grimm, 

Assistant Administrator for Risk 

Management, Department of Homeland 

Security, Federal Emergency Management 

Agency. 

Community Community map repository address 

Chippewa County, Wisconsin and Incorporated Areas 

Project: 11–05–2527S Preliminary 

Date: September 29, 2020 

City of Chippewa Falls .................... City Hall, Inspection Zoning Office, 30 West Central Street, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729. 

[FR Doc. 2022–12220 Filed 6–6–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9110–12–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement 

[Docket No. ICEB–2022–0008] 

RIN 1653–ZA28 

Employment Authorization for 

Cameroonian F–1 Nonimmigrant 

Students Experiencing Severe 

Economic Hardship as a Direct Result 

of the Crises 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 crises in 

Cameroon. The Secretary is taking 

action to provide relief to these 

Cameroonian nonimmigrant students 

who are lawful F–1 nonimmigrant 

students 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 who receives 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 F–1 visa action is in effect 

from June 7, 2022, through December 7, 

2023. 

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 


jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1
34702 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 7, 2022 / Notices 

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 December 7, 2023, provided 

the student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. DHS also considers 

students who engage in online coursework pursuant 

to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 

coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) guidance for 

nonimmigrant students to be in compliance with 

regulations while such guidance remains in effect. 

See ICE Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions 

on COVID–19, Nonimmigrant Students & SEVPCertified Schools: Frequently Asked Questions, 

https://www.ice.gov/coronavirus (last visited May 

10, 2022). 

2Cameroon: Witness testimony and satellite 

images reveal the scale of devastation in 

Anglophone regions, Amnesty International, Jul. 28, 

2021, available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/ 

latest/press-release/2021/07/cameroon-satelliteimages-reveal-devastation-in-anglophone-regions/ 

(last visited May 10, 2022); Separatism in 

Cameroon: 5 years of violent civil war, Deutsche 

Welle (DW), Oct. 1, 2021, available at: https://

www.dw.com/en/separatism-in-cameroon-5-yearsof-violent-civil-war/a-59369417 (last visited May 10, 

2022); Cameroon: Nine Killed in Army Attack, 

Human Rights Watch, Feb. 4, 2021, available at: 

https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/02/04/cameroonnine-killed-army-attack (last visited May 10, 2022); 

Boko Haram Violence against Civilians Spiking in 

Northern Cameroon, Africa Center for Strategic 

Studies, Nov. 13, 2020, available at: https://

africacenter.org/spotlight/boko-haram-violenceagainst-civilians-spiking-in-northern-cameroon/ 

(last visited May 10, 2022). 

3Cameroon Multi-country Operations (MCO) 

Factsheet, UNHCR, Jul. 2021, available at: https:// 

reporting.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/ 

UNHCR%20MCO%20CAMEROON

%20FACTSHEET%20%20JULY%202021.pdf (last 

visited May 10, 2022); POCs February 2022, 

UNHCR data portal, Feb. 2022, available at: https:// 

data2.unhcr.org/en/documents/download/91170 

(last visited May 10, 2022); UNHCR Cameroon MCO 

Factsheet—January 2022, Mar. 9, 2022, available at: 

https://reliefweb.int/report/cameroon/unhcrcameroon-mco-factsheet-january-2022 (last visited 

May 10, 2022). 

4 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights 

Practices: Cameroon, U.S. Department of State, 

2021, available at: https://www.state.gov/reports/ 

2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/ 

cameroon/ (last visited May 10, 2022); Cameroon: 

Key Issues and U.S. Policy, Congressional Research 

Service, Sept. 22, 2021, available at: https://

crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46919/2 

(last visited May 10, 2022). 

5See generally CAMEROON 2021, Amnesty 

International, 2022, available at: https://

www.amnesty.org/en/location/africa/west-andcentral-africa/cameroon/report-cameroon/ (last 

visited May 13, 2022); Cameroon: Boko Haram 

Attacks Escalate in Far North, Human Rights Watch, 

Apr. 5, 2021, available at: https://www.hrw.org/ 

news/2021/04/05/cameroon-boko-haram-attacksescalate-far-north (last visited May 13, 2022); 

Human Rights in Africa: Review of 2019— 

Cameroon [AFR 01/1352/2020], Amnesty 

International, 2020, Apr. 8, 2020, available at: 

https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2028266.html 

(last visited May 13, 2022). 

6The Socio-Political Crisis in the Northwest and 

Southwest Regions of Cameroon: Assessing the 

Economic and Social Impacts, World Bank Group, 

Jan. 2021, available at: https://

documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/ 

795921624338364910/pdf/The-Socio-PoliticalCrisis-in-the-Northwest-and-Southwest-Regions-ofCameroon-Assessing-the-Economic-and-SocialImpacts.pdf (last visited May 10, 2022). 

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 crises 

in Cameroon. Effective with this 

publication, suspension of the 

employment limitations is available 

through December 7, 2023, for those 

who are in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant 

status. 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 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), on the 

date of publication of this notice; 

(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 crises 

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 crises in Cameroon. 

Based on its review of country 

conditions in Cameroon and input 

received from the U.S. Department of 

State on the emergent circumstances in 

Cameroon, DHS is taking action to allow 

eligible F–1 nonimmigrant students 

from Cameroon (or individuals having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in 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 student status. 

The ongoing violence between 

government forces and armed 

separatists in the English-speaking 

regions (Northwest and Southwest), as 

well as deadly attacks by the terrorist 

organization Boko Haram (including its 

breakaway faction, ISIS-West Africa and 

vigilante self-defense groups in the Far 

North Region) continue to negatively 

impact the populations in the affected 

regions and beyond.2 Thousands of 

people have been killed in the Englishspeaking regions, and hundreds of 

thousands more remain in internally 

displaced persons camps, while tens of 

thousands have sought refuge in the 

neighboring country of Nigeria.3

Moreover, the government has increased 

restrictions on political opposition 

groups and civil society and there are 

reports that the government of 

Cameroon has committed human rights 

violations and abuses.4 The three 

issues—crisis in the English-speaking 

regions, instability in the Far North 

Region, and restrictions on political 

space and reports of human rights 

violations and abuse 5—have led to 

various challenges, including violence 

against civilians, a humanitarian crisis, 

and economic decline.6

As of April 22, 2022, approximately 

1,020 F–1 nonimmigrant students from 

Cameroon (or individuals having no 

nationality who last habitually resided 

in Cameroon) are in the United States 

and are enrolled at SEVP-certified 

academic institutions. Given the extent 

of the crises in Cameroon, affected 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 7, 2022 / Notices 34703 

7 DHS considers students who are compliant with 

ICE coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) guidance 

for nonimmigrant students to be in compliance with 

regulations while such COVID–19 guidance remains 

in effect. See ICE Guidance and Frequently Asked 

Questions on COVID–19, https://www.ice.gov/ 

coronavirus (last visited May 10, 2022). 8See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

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 crises have 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. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v). 

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 on-campus or offcampus 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.7 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 

the designated school official (DSO) 

enter the following statement in the 

remarks field of the Student and 

Exchange Visitor Information System 

(SEVIS) student 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]. 

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’’ 8 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.9

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 to apply 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, as required under 

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

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 in F–1 nonimmigrant 

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

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

the date of publication of this notice; 

(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 crises 

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 


jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1
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10See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

11The minimum 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. 

12See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

13The minimum 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. 

severe economic hardship as a direct 

result of the crises 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. Nothing in this notice affects 

the applicability of federal and state 

labor laws limiting the employment of 

minors. 

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 a recommendation in SEVIS and 

entered the following statement in the 

remarks field of the SEVIS student 

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]. 

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 crises in Cameroon. 

An F–1 nonimmigrant student 

authorized by the DSO to engage in oncampus 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 required under 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’’ 10 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, as 

required under 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.11

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; 

(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’’ 12 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, as required under 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). However, 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.13


jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 7, 2022 / Notices 34705 

14See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

15 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v). 

16See DHS Study in the States, Special Student 

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

special-student-relief (last visited May 10, 2022). 

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 

crises in Cameroon. Filing instructions 

are located at https://www.uscis.gov/i765. 

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 www.uscis.gov/ 

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). 

Supporting documentation. An F–1 

nonimmigrant student seeking offcampus employment authorization due 

to severe economic hardship must 

demonstrate the following to the 

student’s DSO: 

(1) This employment is necessary to 

avoid severe economic hardship; and 

(2) The hardship is a direct result of 

the crises 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 making a 

recommendation in SEVIS and then 

entering the following statement in the 

remarks field of the SEVIS student 

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]. 

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’’ 14 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 crises 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; 15 and 

(d) The off-campus employment is 

necessary to alleviate severe economic 

hardship to the individual as a direct 

result of the crises 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 all of the following 

documents: 

(1) A completed Form I–765; 

(2) The required fee or properly 

documented fee waiver request as 

defined in 8 CFR 103.7(c); 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.’’ 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. 

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,16

under this notice has two options. 

Under the first option, the 

nonimmigrant student may apply for 

TPS according to the instructions in the 

USCIS notice designating Cameroon for 

TPS (published 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 EAD 

based on their TPS application that is 

valid through December 7, 2023, and to 

be eligible for automatic EAD extensions 

that may be available to 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, issue an updated Form I–20, as 

described in this notice, and notate that 

the nonimmigrant student has been 

authorized to carry a reduced course 

load and is working pursuant to a TPSrelated EAD. So long as the 

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 their TPS, then the student 

maintains F–1 status and TPS 

concurrently. 

Under the second option, the 

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, 


jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1
34706 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 7, 2022 / Notices 

17See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

18Because 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 December 7, 2023, provided 

the student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirement in this notice. DHS also considers 

students who engage in online coursework pursuant 

to ICE coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) 

guidance for nonimmigrant students to be in 

compliance with regulations while such guidance 

remains in effect. See ICE Guidance and Frequently 

Asked Questions on COVID–19, Nonimmigrant 

Students & SEVP-Certified Schools: Frequently 

Asked Questions, https://www.ice.gov/coronavirus 

(last visited May 10, 2022). 

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. The 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 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’’ 17 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 

language students). Once approved for 

Special Student Relief employment 

authorization, 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 

crises 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. Current 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 might 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 December 7, 2023,18 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 crises 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 

making a recommendation in SEVIS and 

entering information in the remarks 

field of the SEVIS student record. The 

authority to collect this information is 

in the SEVIS collection of information 

currently approved by the Office of 

Management and Budget (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. 2022–12227 Filed 6–6–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9111–28–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 

Services 

[CIS No. 2707–21; DHS Docket No. USCIS– 

2022–0005] 

RIN 1615–ZB95 

Designation 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) designation. 

SUMMARY: Through this notice, the 

Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS) announces that the Secretary of 

Homeland Security (Secretary) is 

designating Cameroon for Temporary 

Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, 

effective June 7, 2022, through 

December 7, 2023. This designation 

allows Cameroonian nationals (and 

individuals having no nationality who 

last habitually resided in Cameroon) 

who have continuously resided in the 

United States since April 14, 2022, and 

who have been continuously physically 


jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1