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 Department of Homeland Security Citizenship and Immigration Services [CIS No. 2487-09; DHS Docket No. USCIS 2010-0030]
RIN 1615-ZA93
 AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS.
 ACTION: Notice.
 SUMMARY: This Notice announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) has extended the designation of Honduras for temporary protected status (TPS) for 18 months from its current expiration date of July 5, 2010, through January 5, 2012. This Notice also sets forth procedures necessary for nationals of Honduras (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras) with TPS to re-register and to apply for an extension of their employment authorization documents (EADs) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Re-registration is limited to persons who previously registered for TPS under the designation of Honduras and whose applications have been granted or remain pending. Certain nationals of Honduras (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras) who have not previously applied for TPS may be eligible to apply under the late initial registration provisions. New EADs with a January 5, 2012, expiration date will be issued to eligible TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs. Given the timeframes involved with processing TPS re-registration applications, the Department of Homeland Security recognizes the possibility that all re-registrants may not receive new EADs until after their current EADs expire on July 5, 2010. Accordingly, this Notice automatically extends the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of Honduras for 6 months, through January 5, 2011, and explains how TPS beneficiaries and their employers may determine which EADs are automatically extended.
 DATES: The extension of the TPS designation of Honduras is effective July 6, 2010, and will remain in effect through January 5, 2012. The 60-day re-registration period begins May 5, 2010, and will remain in effect until July 6, 2010.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on TPS, including guidance on the application process and additional information on eligibility, please visit the USCIS Web site at*http://www.uscis.gov*. Select “Temporary Protected Status” from the homepage. You can find detailed information about this TPS extension on our Web site at the Honduran Questions & Answers Section.
                    You can also contact the TPS Operations Program Manager, Status and Family Branch, Service Center Operations Directorate, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20529-2060, telephone (202) 272-1533. This is not a toll-free call.**Note:**
                         The phone number provided here is solely for questions regarding this TPS notice. It is not for individual case status inquiries. Applicants seeking information about the status of their individual cases can check Case Status Online available at the USCIS Web site at 
                        *http://www.uscis.gov*, or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833).
                    Further information will also be available at local USCIS offices upon publication of this Notice.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Abbreviations and Terms Used in This Document Act—Immigration and Nationality Act DHS—Department of Homeland Security DOS—Department of State EAD—Employment Authorization Document OSC—U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices PRRAC—European Union's Regional Program for the Reconstruction of Central America Secretary—Secretary of Homeland Security TPS—Temporary Protected Status USAID—U.S. Agency for International Development USCIS—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
                    ( print page 24735) What is Temporary Protected Status? TPS is an immigration status granted to eligible nationals of a country designated for TPS under the Act (or to persons without nationality who last habitually resided in the designated country).
                During the period for which the Secretary has designated a country for TPS, TPS beneficiaries are eligible to remain in the United States and may obtain work authorization, so long as they continue to meet the terms and conditions of their TPS status.
                The granting of TPS does not lead to permanent resident status.
                When the Secretary terminates a country's TPS designation, beneficiaries return to the same immigration status they maintained before TPS (unless that status has since expired or been terminated) or to any other status they may have obtained while registered for TPS. What authority does the Secretary of Homeland Security have to extend the designation of Honduras for TPS? Section 244(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1), authorizes the Secretary, after consultation with appropriate agencies of the government, to designate a foreign State (or part thereof) for TPS.[1]
                    
                     The Secretary may then grant TPS to eligible nationals of that foreign State (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in that State). Section 244(a)(1)(A) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(1)(A). At least 60 days before the expiration of a TPS designation, the Secretary, after consultation with appropriate agencies of the government, must review the conditions in a foreign State designated for TPS to determine whether the conditions for the TPS designation continue to be met and, if so, must determine the length of an extension of the TPS designation. Section 244(b)(3)(A), (C) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A), (C). If the Secretary determines that the foreign State no longer meets the conditions for the TPS designation, the Secretary must terminate the designation. Section 244(b)(3)(B) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(B). When was Honduras designated for TPS? On January 5, 1999, the Attorney General designated Honduras for TPS based on an environmental disaster within that country, specifically the devastation resulting from Hurricane Mitch. 64 FR 524. 
                    *See*
                     section 244(a)(b)(1)(B) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(B). The last extension of TPS for Honduras was announced on October 1, 2008, based on the Secretary's determination that the conditions warranting the designation continued to be met. 73 FR 57133. This announcement is the ninth extension of TPS for Honduras. Why is the Secretary extending the TPS designation for Honduras through January 5, 2012? Over the past year, DHS and the Department of State (DOS) have continued to review conditions in Honduras. Based on this review, and after consulting with the Department of State, the Secretary has determined that an 18-month extension is warranted because there continues to be a substantial, but temporary, disruption of living conditions in Honduras resulting from Hurricane Mitch, and Honduras remains unable, temporarily, to adequately handle the return of its nationals. Hurricane Mitch resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, displacement of thousands more, collapse of physical infrastructure, and severe damage to the country's economic system. 
                    *See*64 FR 524 (Jan. 5, 1999) (discussing devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch). The Department of State reports that the government and people of Honduras continue to rely heavily on international assistance, and recovery from Hurricane Mitch is still incomplete. An estimated 80,000 to over 200,000 dwellings were destroyed or severely damaged due to Hurricane Mitch. By 2005, nongovernmental organizations had repaired or built over 15,000 housing units. However, much of the housing still lacked water and electricity. In May 2006, the Honduran government said that more than 600,000 people live in areas designated as “high risk” for flooding. The erosion of agricultural land caused by Mitch has not been reversed. The increased sedimentation caused by Hurricane Mitch to many rivers and streams has also not been reversed, causing them to rise above their banks and flood surrounding areas even with minimal levels of rain. This has caused a decrease in land available for food production and the increased likelihood of flooding, landslides, and forest fires. All health centers were fully operational and almost all schools had reopened by the end of 1999. However, in those cases where people had to be relocated, infrastructure and personnel for health and education services, as well as employment opportunities, were reported to be unavailable. Despite improvements in the road network, the infrastructure remains basic and vulnerable to further damage from adverse climatic conditions. In fact, in October 2008, half the country's roads were damaged or destroyed in flooding caused by heavy continuous rains brought by Tropical Depression Sixteen. In addition, other natural disasters have occurred since Hurricane Mitch, including flooding in October 2008 and an earthquake in May 2009, which have further delayed the recovery from Hurricane Mitch. These disasters themselves have also caused extensive additional disruption in the affected regions and much of the damaged infrastructure has still not been repaired or replaced. Honduras is also currently unable to handle adequately the return of tens of thousands of its nationals who now have TPS but no other immigration status in the United States. Their return would greatly aggravate Honduras' deteriorating economy by increasing unemployment. Honduras had a per capita gross domestic product of U.S. $1,845 in 2008; an estimated 59 percent of Honduran households live in poverty; and 36 percent of the labor force was unemployed or underemployed in 2008. The 2009 political crisis exacerbated the effects of the global economic downturn in Honduras by significantly reducing economic activity, particularly in the industrial and tourist sectors, and increasing unemployment. Honduras therefore remains ill-equipped to handle adequately the return of Hondurans in the United States who are TPS beneficiaries. Based on this review and after consultation with the appropriate Government agencies, the Secretary finds that: The conditions that prompted the January 5, 1999, designation of Honduras for TPS continue to be met.*See*
                     section 244(b)(3)(A) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A).
                There continues to be a substantial, but temporary, disruption in living conditions in Honduras as the result of an environmental disaster.*See*
                     section 244(b)(1)(B) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(B).
                Honduras continues to be unable, temporarily, to adequately handle the( print page 24736)
                    return of its nationals (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras). 
                    *See*
                     section 244(b)(1)(B) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(1)(B).
                The designation of Honduras for TPS should be extended for an additional 18-month period.*See*
                     section 244(b)(3)(C) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(C).
                There are approximately 66,000 nationals of Honduras (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras) who are eligible for TPS under this extended designation. Notice of Extension of the TPS Designation of Honduras By the authority vested in me as Secretary of Homeland Security under section 244 of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 1254a, I have determined after consultation with the appropriate government agencies that the conditions that prompted designation of Honduras for temporary protected status (TPS) on January 5, 1999, continue to be met. 
                    *See*
                     section 244(b)(3)(A) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3)(A). On the basis of this determination, I am extending the TPS designation of Honduras for 18 months from July 6, 2010, through January 5, 2012. Janet Napolitano, Secretary.
 Required Application Forms and Application Fees To Register or Re-register for TPS To register or re-register for TPS, an applicant must submit: 1. Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, You only need to pay the Form I-821 application fee if you are filing an application for late initial registration.
                You do not need to pay the Form I-821 fee for a re-registration; and 2. Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. If you are filing for re-registration, you must pay the Form I-765 application fee if you want an employment authorization document (EAD).
                If you are filing for late initial registration and want an EAD, you must pay the Form I-765 fee only if you are age 14 through 65. No EAD fee is required if you are under the age of 14 or over the age of 65 and filing for late initial TPS registration.
                You do not pay the Form I-765 fee if you are not requesting an EAD. You must submit both completed application forms together. You may apply for application and/or biometrics fee waivers if you are unable to pay and you can provide proof through satisfactory supporting documentation. For more information on the application forms and application fees for TPS, please visit the USCIS Web site at 
                    *http://www.uscis.gov*. Biometric Services Fee Biometrics (such as fingerprints) are required for all applicants 14 years of age or older. Those applicants must submit a biometric services fee. For more information on the biometric services fee, please visit the USCIS Web site at 
                    *http://www.uscis.gov*. Mailing Information Mail your application for TPS to the proper address in Table 1: Table 1—Mailing Addresses
If . . .
Mail to . . .You are applying for re-registration through US Postal Service
USCIS, Attn: TPS Honduras, P.O. Box 6943, Chicago, IL 60680-6943.You are applying for the first time as a late initial registrant through US Postal Service
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Attn: TPS Honduras, P.O. Box 6943, Chicago, IL 60680-6943.You are using a Non-US Postal Service delivery service for both re-registration and first time late initial registration
USCIS, Attn: TPS Honduras, 131 S. Dearborn—3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60603-5517.You were granted TPS by an Immigration Judge (IJ) or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and you wish to request an EAD or are re-registering for the first time
USCIS, Attn: TPS Honduras, P.O. Box 7332, Chicago, IL 60680-7332.
 E-Filing If you are re-registering for TPS during the re-registration period and you do not need to submit any supporting documents or evidence, you are eligible to file your applications electronically. For more information on e-filing, please visit the 
                    *USCIS E-Filing Reference Guide*
                     at the USCIS Web site at 
                    *http://www.uscis.gov*. Employment Authorization Document (EAD) May I request an interim EAD at my local USCIS office? No. USCIS will not issue interim EADs to TPS applicants and re-registrants at local offices. Am I eligible to receive an automatic 6-month EAD extension from July 6, 2010, through January 5, 2011? To receive an automatic 6-month extension of your EAD: You must be a national of Honduras (or an alien having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras) who has applied for and received an EAD under the designation of Honduras for TPS, and
                You have not had TPS withdrawn or denied. This automatic extension is limited to EADs issued on Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document, bearing an expiration date of July 5, 2010. These EADs must also bear the notation “A-12” or “C-19” on the face of the card under “Category.” What documents may a qualified individual show to his or her employer as proof of employment authorization and identity when completing Form I-9? During the first six months of this extension, qualified individuals who have received a 6-month automatic extension of their EADs by virtue of this 
                    **Federal Register**
                     notice may present their extended TPS-based EADs, as described above, to their employers as proof of identity and employment authorization through January 5, 2011. To minimize confusion over this extension at the time of hire or re-verification, qualified individuals may also present a copy of this 
                    **Federal Register**
                     notice regarding the automatic extension of employment authorization documentation through January 5, 2011. After January 5, 2011, TPS beneficiaries may present their EADs on Form I-766 with an extension date of January 5, 2012, to their employers as proof of employment authorization and identity. The EAD will bear the notation “A-12” or “C-19” on the face of the card under “Category.” After January 5, 2011, employers may not accept EADs that no longer have a valid date. Employers should not request proof of Honduran citizenship. Employers should accept the EADs as valid “List A” documents. Employers should not ask 
                    ( print page 24737)
                    for additional Form I-9 documentation if presented with an EAD that has been automatically extended or a new valid EAD pursuant to this 
                    **Federal Register**
                     notice, and the EAD reasonably appears on its face to be genuine and to relate to the employee. Employees also may present any other legally acceptable document or combination of documents listed on the Form I-9 as proof of identity and employment eligibility. Note to Employers Employers are reminded that the laws requiring employment eligibility verification and prohibiting unfair immigration-related employment practices remain in full force. This Notice does not supersede or in any way limit applicable employment verification rules and policy guidance, including those rules setting forth re-verification requirements. For questions, employers may call the USCIS Customer Assistance Office at 1-800-357-2099. Employers may also call the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) Employer Hotline at 1-800-255-8155. Note to Employees Employees or applicants may call the OSC Employee Hotline at 1-800-255-7688 for information regarding the automatic extension. Additional information is available on the OSC Web site at 
                    *http://www.justice.gov/​crt/​osc/​*.


# Footnotes

1.
    
                         As of March 1, 2003, in accordance with section 1517 of title XV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA), Public Law 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135, any reference to the Attorney General in a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act describing functions transferred under the HSA from the Department of Justice to the Department of Homeland Security “shall be deemed to refer to the Secretary” of Homeland Security. 
                        *See*6 U.S.C. 557 (2003) (codifying HSA, tit. XV, sec. 1517). Back to Citation


[FR Doc. 2010-10620 Filed 5-4-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111-97-P