[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 226 (Friday, November 25, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70992-70996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-23309]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

8 CFR Part 214

[CIS No. 2369-05; Docket No. USCIS-2005-0022]
RIN 1615-ZA31


Short-Term Employment Authorization and Reduced Course Load for 
Certain F-1 Nonimmigrant Students Adversely Affected by Hurricane 
Katrina

AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary rule suspension.

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SUMMARY: This document informs the public of the suspension of certain 
regulatory requirements for a specific group of F-1 nonimmigrant 
students who were enrolled in academic institutions located in areas 
that have been adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina. F-1 students 
who are granted short-term employment authorization pursuant to this 
document will be deemed to be engaged in a ``full course of study'' for 
the duration of their employment authorization, provided such students 
satisfy the minimum course load requirement set forth in this document.

DATES: This document is effective November 25, 2005, and will remain in 
effect until February 1, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alanna Ow, Adjudications Officer, 
Office of Program and Regulations Development, U.S. Citizenship and 
Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, 111 
Massachusetts Avenue NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20529, telephone 
(202) 272-8410.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

What action is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) taking under 
this Notice?

    The Secretary of Homeland Security is exercising his authority 
under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9) to temporarily suspend the applicability of 
certain requirements governing on-campus and off-campus employment. F-1 
students, who are granted employment authorization pursuant to this 
Notice, will be deemed to be engaged in a ``full course of study'' for 
the duration of their employment authorization, provided such students 
satisfy the minimum course load requirement set forth in this Notice. 
See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(F).

[[Page 70993]]

Who is covered by this Notice?

    This Notice applies exclusively to nonimmigrant aliens admitted to 
the United States in F-1 classification for duration of status under 
section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act), 
who: (1) On August 29, 2005, were lawfully present in the United States 
in F-1 status and enrolled in an institution, which is approved by DHS 
for enrollment of F-1 students and located in an area adversely 
affected by Hurricane Katrina; (2) are currently maintaining valid F-1 
status; and (3) are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct 
result of Hurricane Katrina. This Notice also applies to nonimmigrant 
aliens admitted to the United States in F-2 classification under 
section 101(a)(15)(F)(ii) of the Act, who are the dependents (spouse or 
minor children) of F-1 students covered by this Notice, provided that 
the F-1 student continues to maintain F-1 status.
    F-1 students otherwise covered by this Notice, who transfer to 
other academic institutions, which are approved by DHS for enrollment 
of F-1 students, remain eligible for the relief provided by means of 
this Notice.

Why is DHS taking this action?

    Hurricane Katrina caused loss of life, caused extensive damage to 
property, and has disrupted normal activities in the states of Alabama, 
Louisiana, and Mississippi. Certain academic institutions that are 
located in the affected areas are consequently unable to operate 
normally, or at all, during the current academic term. Approximately 
5,500 F-1 students were enrolled in academic institutions located in 
the areas adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina. As a result of this 
catastrophic natural disaster, many of these F-1 students are suffering 
severe economic hardship resulting from, among other things, costs 
incurred to replace lost or damaged possessions, and/or to transfer to 
other academic institutions. Moreover, many of these F-1 students are 
experiencing difficulty in satisfying the normal regulatory 
requirements for maintaining valid F-1 status, which include the 
pursuit of a ``full course of study'' pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6).
    DHS is taking action to provide relief to these F-1 students so 
they may obtain short-term employment authorization, and consequently 
reduce their course load.

Which academic institutions are covered by this Notice?

    This Notice lists the specific campuses of academic institutions, 
which are approved by DHS for enrollment of F-1 students and located in 
the areas adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina. In the event that 
DHS, after the publication of this Notice, identifies other academic 
institutions, which are approved by DHS for enrollment of F-1 students 
and located in areas adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina, DHS will 
extend the relief authorized under this Notice to eligible F-1 students 
who were enrolled in those academic institutions on August 29, 2005.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            School name                    Campus name                City                 State        Zip code
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Academy of the Sacred   New Orleans...........  LA                    70115
                                      Heart.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Christian Brothers      New Orleans...........  LA                    70124
                                      School.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Henriette DeLille.....  New Orleans...........  LA                    70126
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Holy Cross............  New Orleans...........  LA                    70117
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Holy Ghost............  New Orleans...........  LA                    70115
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Holy Name of Jesus....  New Orleans...........  LA                    70118
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Holy Rosary Academy...  New Orleans...........  LA                    70119
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  House of the Holy       New Orleans...........  LA                    70126
                                      Family.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Immaculate Heart of     New Orleans...........  LA                    70126
                                      Mary.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Marian Central          New Orleans...........  LA                    70126
                                      Catholic Middle
                                      School.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Our Lady of Lourdes...  New Orleans...........  LA                    70115
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Resurrection of Our     New Orleans...........  LA                    70127
                                      Lord.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Alphonsus.........  New Orleans...........  LA                    70130
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Anthony of Padua..  New Orleans...........  LA                    70119
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Benedict the Moor.  New Orleans...........  LA                    70126
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. David.............  New Orleans...........  LA                    70117
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Dominic...........  New Orleans...........  LA                    70124
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Frances Xavier      New Orleans...........  LA                    70122
                                      Cabrini.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Joan of Arc.......  New Orleans...........  LA                    70118
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Joseph Central      New Orleans...........  LA                    70122
                                      Catholic Elementary.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Leo the Great.....  New Orleans...........  LA                    70119
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Mary of the Angels  New Orleans...........  LA                    70117
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Paul the Apostle..  New Orleans...........  LA                    70126
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Pius X............  New Orleans...........  LA                    70124
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Raymond...........  New Orleans...........  LA                    70122
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Stephen...........  New Orleans...........  LA                    70115
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Stuart Hall School for  New Orleans...........  LA                    70118
                                      Boys.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Ursuline Academy......  New Orleans...........  LA                    70118
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  All Saints............  New Orleans...........  LA                    70114
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Holy Name of Mary.....  New Orleans...........  LA                    70114
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Our Lady of Divine      Metairie..............  LA                    70003
                                      Providence.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Our Lady of Perpetual   Kenner................  LA                    70062
                                      Help.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Angela Merici.....  Metairie..............  LA                    70002
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Benilde...........  Metairie..............  LA                    70001
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Catherine of Siena  Metairie..............  LA                    70005
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Christopher.......  Metairie..............  LA                    70001
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Clement of Rome...  Metairie..............  LA                    70002
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Edward the          Metairie..............  LA                    70001
                                      Confessor.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Elizabeth Ann       Kenner................  LA                    70065
                                      Seton.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Francis Xavier....  Metairie..............  LA                    70005
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Louis King of       Metairie..............  LA                    70005
                                      France.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Mary Magdalen.....  Metairie..............  LA                    70003

[[Page 70994]]

 
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Matthew the         River Ridge...........  LA                    70123
                                      Apostle.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Philip Neri.......  Metairie..............  LA                    70003
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Rita..............  Harahan...............  LA                    70123
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Immaculate Conception.  Marrero...............  LA                    70072
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Our Lady of Prompt      Westwego..............  LA                    70094
                                      Succor.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Anthony...........  Gretna................  LA                    70053
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Cletus............  Gretna................  LA                    70053
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Joseph the Worker.  Marrero...............  LA                    70072
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Rosalie...........  Harvey................  LA                    70058
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Visitation of Our Lady  Marrero...............  LA                    70072
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Our Lady of Perpetual   Belle Chasse..........  LA                    70037
                                      Help.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Our Lady of Prompt      Chalmette.............  LA                    70043
                                      Succor.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Louise DeMarillac.  Arabi.................  LA                    70032
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Mark..............  Chalmette.............  LA                    70043
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Robert Bellarmine.  Arabi.................  LA                    70032
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Noco..................  LA                    70079
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Charles Borromeo..  Destrechan............  LA                    70047
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Ascension of Our Lord.  LaPlace...............  LA                    70068
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Our Lady of Grace.....  Reserve...............  LA                    70084
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Joan of Arc.......  LaPlace...............  LA                    70068
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Peter.............  Reserve...............  LA                    70084
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Mary, Queen of Peace..  Mandeville............  LA                    70471
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Our Lady of Lourdes...  Slidell...............  LA                    70458
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Margaret Mary.....  Slidell...............  LA                    70458
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Peter.............  Covington.............  LA                    70433
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Annunciation..........  Bogalusa..............  LA                    70427
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Brother Martin........  New Orleans...........  LA                    70122
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Cabrini...............  New Orleans...........  LA                    70119
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  DeLaSalle.............  New Orleans...........  LA                    70115
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Jesuit................  New Orleans...........  LA                    70119
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Mount Carmel Academy..  New Orleans...........  LA                    70124
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Redeemer-Seton........  New Orleans...........  LA                    70122
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Augustine.........  New Orleans...........  LA                    70119
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Gerard Majella      New Orleans...........  LA                    70122
                                      Alternative School.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Mary's Academy....  New Orleans...........  LA                    70126
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Xavier University Prep  New Orleans...........  LA                    70115
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Archbishop Chapelle...  Metairie..............  LA                    70003
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Archbishop Rummel.....  Metairie..............  LA                    70001
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Archbishop Blenk......  Gretna................  LA                    70053
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Archbishop Shaw.......  Marrero...............  LA                    70072
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Immaculata............  Marrero...............  LA                    70072
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Archbishop Hannan.....  Meraux................  LA                    70075
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Charles Catholic..  LaPlace...............  LA                    70068
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  Pope John Paul II.....  Slidell...............  LA                    70461
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  The Saint Paul's        Covington.............  LA                    70433
                                      School.
Archdiocese of New Orleans.........  St. Scholastica         Covington.............  LA                    70433
                                      Academy.
Bass Memorial Academy..............  Bass Memorial Academy.  Lumberton.............  MS                    39455
Delgado Community College..........  Delgado Community       New Orleans...........  LA                    70119
                                      College.
Dillard University.................  Dillard University....  New Orleans...........  LA                    70122
East Central Community College.....  East Central Community  Decatur...............  MS                    39327
                                      College.
East Mississippi Community College.  Scooba Campus.........  Scooba................  MS                    39358
Ecole Classique....................  Ecole Classique.......  New Orleans...........  LA                    70112
English Language Center............  University of South     Mobile................  AL                    36688
                                      Alabama.
Faulkner State Community College...  Faulkner State          Bay Minette...........  AL                    36507
                                      Community College.
Faulkner University................  Faulkner University at  Mobile................  AL                    36609
                                      Mobile.
John Curtis Christian School.......  John Curtis Christian   River Ridge...........  LA                    70123
                                      School.
Kaplan Test Prep, a division of      Kaplan Test Prep--New   New Orleans...........  LA                    70118
 Kaplan, Inc.                         Orleans, LA.
Louisiana State University Health    Louisiana State         New Orleans...........  LA                    70006
 Sciences Center.                     University Health
                                      Sciences Center.
Loyola University New Orleans......  Loyola University New   New Orleans...........  LA                    70118
                                      Orleans.
Lutheran High School...............  Lutheran High School..  Metairie..............  LA                    70002
Meridian Community College.........  Meridian Community      Meridian..............  MS                    39307
                                      College.
Metairie Park Country Day School...  Metairie Park Country   Metairie..............  LA                    70005
                                      Day School.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community     Perkinston Campus.....  Perkinston............  MS                    39573
 College.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community     Jefferson Davis Campus  Gulfport..............  MS                    39507
 College.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community     Jackson County Campus.  Gautier...............  MS                    39553
 College.
Mobile County Public Schools.......  Division of Student     Mobile................  AL                    36602
                                      Support Service.
Mobile County Public Schools.......  Baker High............  Mobile................  AL                    36608
Mobile County Public Schools.......  Blount High...........  Prichard..............  AL                    36610
Mobile County Public Schools.......  Bryant High...........  Irvington.............  AL                    36544
Mobile County Public Schools.......  Citronelle High.......  Citronelle............  AL                    36522
Mobile County Public Schools.......  Davidson High.........  Mobile................  AL                    36609
Mobile County Public Schools.......  Montgomery High.......  Semmes................  AL                    36575
Mobile County Public Schools.......  Murphy High...........  Mobile................  Al                    36606

[[Page 70995]]

 
Mobile County Public Schools.......  Rain High.............  Mobile................  AL                    36605
Mobile County Public Schools.......  Satsuma High..........  Satsuma...............  AL                    36572
Mobile County Public Schools.......  Shaw High.............  Mobile................  Al                    36608
Mobile County Public Schools.......  Theodore High.........  Theodore..............  AL                    36582
Mobile County Public Schools.......  Vigor High............  Prichard..............  AL                    36610
Mobile County Public Schools.......  Williamson High.......  Mobile................  AL                    36605
Modern languages Institute.........  Modern Languages        New Orleans...........  LA                    70130
                                      Institute.
New Orleans Baptist Theological      New Orleans Baptist     New Orleans...........  LA                    70126
 Seminary.                            Theological Seminary.
Nicholls State University..........  Nicholls State          Thibodaux.............  LA                    70301
                                      University.
Notre Dame Seminary................  Notre Dame Seminary...  New Orleans...........  LA                    70118
Nunez Community College............  Nunez Community         Chalmette.............  LA                    70043
                                      College.
Our Lady Holy Cross College........  Our Lady Holy Cross     New Orleans...........  LA                    70131
                                      College.
Picayune School District...........  Picayune Memorial High  Picayune..............  MS                    39466
                                      School.
Remington College..................  Remington College.....  Metairie..............  LA                    70005
Reserve Christian School...........  Reserve Christian       Reserve...............  LA                    70084
                                      School.
Ridgewood Preparatory School.......  Ridgewood Preparatory   Metairie..............  LA                    70001
                                      School.
Riverside Academy Corporation......  Riverside Academy.....  Reserve...............  LA                    70084
Saint Joseph Seminary College......  St. Benedict..........  St. Benedict..........  LA                    70457
School of Urban Missions...........  New Orleans School of   Gretna................  LA                    70053
                                      Urban Missions.
Southeastern Baptist College.......  Southeastern Baptist    Laurel................  MS                    39440
                                      College.
Southeastern Louisiana University..  Southeastern Louisiana  Hammond...............  LA                    70402
                                      University.
Southern University at New Orleans.  Southern University at  New Orleans...........  LA                    70126
                                      New Orleans.
Spring Hill College................  Spring Hill College...  Mobile................  LA                    36608
St. Paul's Episcopal School........  St. Paul's Episcopal    Mobile................  LA                    36608
                                      School.
St. Stanislaus College Prep........  St. Stanislaus College  Bay St. Louis.........  MS                    39520
                                      Prep.
St. Stanislaus College Prep........  Mercy Cross High        Biloxi................  MS                    39530
                                      School.
St. Stanislaus College Prep........  St. John High School..  Gulfport..............  MS                    39501
St. Stanislaus College Prep........  Resurrection Catholic   Pascagoula............  MS                    39567
                                      School.
St. Stanislaus College Prep........  Nativity, B. V. M.....  Biloxi................  MS                    39530
St. Stanislaus College Prep........  Sacred Heart..........  Hattiesburg...........  MS                    39401
The University of Southern           Hattiesburg Campus....  Hattiesburg...........  MS                    39406
 Mississippi.
The University of Southern           English Language        Hattiesburg...........  MS                    39406
 Mississippi.                         Institute.
Top Garden School..................  Top Garden School.....  Irvington.............  AL                    36544
Tulane University..................  Tulane University.....  New Orleans...........  LA                    70118
United States Sports Academy.......  United States Sports    Daphne................  AL                    36526
                                      Academy.
University of Mobile...............  University of Mobile..  Mobile................  AL                    36613
University of New Orleans..........  University of New       New Orleans...........  LA                    70148
                                      Orleans.
Unviersity of New Orleans..........  UNO Intensive English   New Orleans...........  LA                    70148
                                      Language Program.
University of South Alabama........  University of South     Mobile................  AL                    36688
                                      Alabama.
William Carey College..............  William Carey College.  Hattiesburg...........  MS                    39401
Xavier University of Louisiana.....  Xavier University of    New Orleans...........  LA                    70125
                                      Louisiana.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What regulatory requirements in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9) does this Notice 
temporarily suspend?

1. On-Campus Employment

    For F-1 students covered by this Notice, the Secretary of Homeland 
Security is suspending temporarily the applicability of the requirement 
in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i) that limits an F-1 student to no more than 20 
hours per week of on-campus employment when school is in session.

2. Off-Campus Employment

    For F-1 students covered by this Notice, the Secretary of Homeland 
Security is suspending temporarily the applicability of the following 
regulatory requirements: (a) The requirement in 8 CFR 
214.2(f)(9)(ii)(A), that limits an F-1 student to no more than 20 hours 
per week of off-campus employment when school is in session; (b) the 
requirement in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(D)(1), that requires a student to 
be in F-1 status for one full academic year in order to be eligible for 
off-campus employment; and (c) the requirement in 8 CFR 
214.2(f)(9)(ii)(D)(3), that requires an F-1 student to demonstrate that 
acceptance of employment will not interfere with the student's carrying 
a full course of study.

Will F-1 students who are granted employment authorization pursuant to 
this Notice be authorized to reduce their normal course load?

    Yes. Pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F), F-1 students, who are 
granted employment authorization pursuant to this Notice, will be 
deemed to be engaged in a ``full course of study'' for the duration of 
their employment authorization, provided such students satisfy the 
minimum course load requirement set forth in this Notice.

What is the minimum course load requirement set forth in this Notice?

    Pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v), undergraduate level F-1 students 
who are granted employment authorization pursuant to this Notice must 
remain registered for a minimum of 6 semester/quarter hours of 
instruction per academic term, and graduate level F-1 students who are 
granted employment authorization pursuant to this Notice must remain 
registered for a minimum of 3 semester/quarter hours of instruction per 
academic term. In addition, pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G), F-1 
students granted employment authorization pursuant to this Notice, both 
at the undergraduate level and the graduate level, may count the 
equivalent of one class or three credits per semester/quarter of on-
line or distance education toward satisfying this minimum course load 
requirement.

How may F-1 students covered by this Notice obtain employment 
authorization pursuant to this Notice?

1. On-Campus Employment

    An F-1 student covered by this Notice, who seeks to pursue on-
campus employment pursuant to this Notice,

[[Page 70996]]

must demonstrate to the Designated School Official (DSO) at the 
academic institution where the F-1 student currently is enrolled that 
such employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship 
resulting from Hurricane Katrina. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i). The DSO 
should sign, date, and include the following notation in the student 
employment box on page 3 of Form I-20: ``Approved for more than 20 
hours per week of on-campus employment until February 1, 2006, pursuant 
to Hurricane Katrina Special Student Relief.'' By making this notation, 
the DSO certifies that the F-1 student is covered by this Notice.

2. Off-Campus Employment

    An F-1 student covered by this Notice, who seeks to pursue off-
campus employment pursuant to this Notice, must file a complete Form I-
765, Application for Employment Authorization, including required 
supporting documentation, with the USCIS Texas Service Center at:
    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Texas Service Center, 
P.O. Box 853062, Mesquite, TX 75815-3062.

    The front of the envelope, on the bottom right-hand side, should 
include the following notation: ``HURRICANE KATRINA SPECIAL STUDENT 
RELIEF.'' Failure to include this notation may result in significant 
processing delays.
    An application package is complete if it contains: (1) A properly 
completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with 
the required fee or, if the F-1 student believes he or she is eligible 
for a waiver of this fee, a written affidavit or unsworn declaration, 
which requests waiver of the fee under 8 CFR 103.7(c) and explains the 
reasons why the student is unable to pay the prescribed fee, and (2) 
Form I-20 with a recommendation for off-campus employment from the DSO 
at the academic institution where the F-1 student is currently 
enrolled. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(D). The DSO should sign, date, and 
include the following notation in the student employment box on page 3 
of Form I-20: ``Approved for more than 20 hours per week of off-campus 
employment until February 1, 2006, pursuant to Hurricane Katrina 
Special Student Relief.'' By making this notation, the DSO certifies 
that the F-1 student is covered by this Notice.
    If U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves the 
F-1 student's Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, 
USCIS will send the student a Form I-766, Employment Authorization 
Document, to evidence his or her employment authorization. The Form I-
766 will contain an expiration date that will not extend beyond 
February 1, 2006. If USCIS denies the F-1 student's Form I-765, 
Application for Employment Authorization, USCIS will notify the student 
of the decision, and the reason(s) for the denial.

Is there a cut-off date for the filing of a Form I-765, Application for 
Employment Authorization, pursuant to this Notice?

    No. DHS has not established a cut-off date for the filing of a Form 
I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, pursuant to this 
Notice. Any benefits granted by means of this Notice, however, will 
expire no later than February 1, 2006. While USCIS will exercise its 
best efforts to process such applications in as prompt a manner as 
possible, F-1 students applying for employment authorization pursuant 
to this Notice should bear in mind this expiration date when submitting 
their Forms I-765, Applications for Employment Authorization.

Will F-2 dependents (spouse or minor children) of F-1 students covered 
by this Notice be eligible to apply for employment authorization?

    No. Pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(f)(15)(i), an F-2 dependent (spouse or 
minor children) of an F-1 student, may not accept employment.

Will F-1 students covered by this Notice be required to apply for 
reinstatement after February 1, 2006?

    No. F-1 students, who are granted employment authorization pursuant 
to this Notice, will be deemed to be engaged in a ``full course of 
study'' for the duration of their employment authorization, provided 
such undergraduate level F-1 students remain registered for a minimum 
of 6 semester/quarter hours of instruction per academic term, and such 
graduate level F-1 students remain registered for a minimum of 3 
semester/quarter hours of instruction per academic term. See 8 CFR 
214.2(f)(5)(v). Such F-1 students, therefore, would not be required to 
apply for reinstatement under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(16) if they are otherwise 
maintaining F-1 status.

How long will this Notice remain in effect?

    This Notice grants temporary relief to a specific group of F-1 
students for the estimated length of the current academic term. As 
such, this Notice will remain in effect until February 1, 2006. During 
this period, DHS will continue to monitor the adverse impact of 
Hurricane Katrina in the affected areas to determine if modification or 
rescission of these special provisions is warranted. Should these 
special provisions be modified or rescinded prior to February 1, 2006, 
DHS will announce such changes in the Federal Register.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information collection requirements contained in this rule have 
been cleared by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act. Clearance numbers for these 
collections are contained in 8 CFR 299.5, Display Control Numbers, and 
are noted herein. Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, 
OMB Control Number 1615-0040.

    Dated: November 17, 2005.
Michael Chertoff,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05-23309 Filed 11-23-05; 8:45 am]
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