Federal Register Notices 2024

January
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January 2024

Date	Title
January 31, 2024	This final rule adjusts certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees charged by USCIS. This rule also provides additional fee exemptions for certain humanitarian categories and makes changes to certain other immigration benefit request requirements. USCIS conducted a comprehensive biennial fee review and determined that current fees do not recover the full cost of providing adjudication and naturalization services. DHS is adjusting the fee schedule to fully recover costs and maintain adequate service. This final rule also responds to public comments received on the USCIS proposed fee schedule published on January 4, 2023. DATES: This final rule is effective April 1, 2024. Any benefit request postmarked on or after this date must be accompanied with the fees established by this final rule.
January 29, 2024	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 Syria, regardless of country of birth (or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Syria), and who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current armed conflict and current humanitarian crisis in Syria. The Secretary is taking action to provide relief to these Syrian students who are in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant student status, so the students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F–1 nonimmigrant student status. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will deem an F–1 nonimmigrant student granted employment authorization by means of this notice to be engaged in a ‘‘full course of study’’ for the duration of the employment authorization, if the nonimmigrant student satisfies the minimum course load requirement described in this notice. DATES: This action is effective April 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.
January 29, 2024	Through this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, beginning on April 1, 2024, and ending on September 30, 2025. This extension allows existing TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through September 30, 2025, if they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through September 30, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period described in this notice. The Secretary is also redesignating Syria for TPS. The redesignation of Syria allows additional Syrian nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Syria) who have been continuously residing in the United States since January 25, 2024, to apply for TPS for the first time during the initial registration period described under the redesignation information in this notice. In addition to demonstrating continuous residence in the United States since January 25, 2024, and meeting other eligibility criteria, initial applicants for TPS under this designation must demonstrate that they have been continuously physically present in the United States since April 1, 2024, the effective date of this redesignation of Syria for TPS. DATES: Extension and Redesignation of the Designation of Syria for TPS begins on April 1, 2024, and will remain in effect for 18 months. For registration instructions, see the Registration Information section below.
January 18, 2024	This rule amends the Department of Homeland Security regulations to require persons intending to travel to Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program (G–CNMI VWP) to submit Form I–736 electronically in advance of travel and receive an electronic travel authorization prior to embarking on a carrier for travel to Guam or the CNMI. Under the current G–CNMI VWP regulations, a paper U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Form I–736 is presented to CBP upon arrival. This rule also establishes the CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS–TAP) as a restricted subprogram of the G–CNMI VWP. This program is being established based on recommendations made pursuant to consultations between the United States and the CNMI under Section 902 of the Covenant to Establish the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America. Once implemented, the CNMI EVS–TAP will allow prescreened nationals of the People’s Republic of China to travel to the CNMI without a visa under specified conditions. DATES: Effective date: This interim final rule is effective September 30, 2024. Comment date: Comments must be received by March 18, 2024. Implementation date: CNMI EVS– TAP will be implemented 45 days after publication of a subsequent notification in the Federal Register.

February 2024

Date	Title
February 20, 2024	Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Palestinians.
February 12, 2024	The Department of Justice is adjusting for inflation the civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by components of the Department, in accordance with the provisions of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, for penalties assessed after February 12, 2024 with respect to violations occurring after November 2, 2015. DATES: This rule is effective February 12, 2024.
February 6, 2024	Imposing Certain Sanctions on Persons Undermining Peace, Security, and Stability in the West Bank.
February 2, 2024	The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending its regulations to implement the proposed beneficiary centric selection process for H–1B registrations, provide start date flexibility for certain H–1B cap-subject petitions, and implement additional integrity measures related to H–1B registration. DATES: This final rule is effective March 4, 2024.

March 2024

Date	Title
March 25, 2024	The Department of Homeland Security is suspending certain regulatory requirements for F–1 nonimmigrant students from Burma who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of current armed conflict and the current humanitarian crisis in Burma. The Secretary is providing relief to these students who are in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant status, so the students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F–1 nonimmigrant status. DATES: This action is effective May 26, 2024, through November 25, 2025.
March 25, 2024	Through this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of Burma for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, beginning on May 26, 2024, and ending on November 25, 2025. This extension allows existing TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through November 25, 2025, if they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through November 25, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period described in this notice. The Secretary is also redesignating Burma for TPS. The redesignation of Burma allows additional nationals of Burma (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Burma) who have been continuously residing in the United States since March 21, 2024, to apply for TPS for the first time during the initial registration period described under the redesignation information in this notice. In addition to demonstrating continuous residence in the United States since March 21, 2024, and meeting other eligibility criteria, initial applicants for TPS under this designation must demonstrate that they have been continuously physically present in the United States since May 26, 2024, the effective date of this redesignation of Burma for TPS. DATES: Extension and Redesignation of the Designation of Burma for TPS begins on May 26, 2024, and will remain in effect for 18 months.
March 21, 2024	USCIS is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on January 31, 2024. The final rule amended DHS regulations to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees charged by USCIS and made certain changes. DATES: Effective April 1, 2024.
March 11, 2024	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 Venezuela, regardless of country of birth (or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Venezuela), and who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the crisis in Venezuela. The Secretary is taking action to provide relief to these Venezuelan students who are in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant student status, so the students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F–1 nonimmigrant student status. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will deem an F–1 nonimmigrant student granted employment authorization by means of this notice to be engaged in a ‘‘full course of study’’ for the duration of the employment authorization, if the nonimmigrant student satisfies the minimum course load requirement described in this notice. DATES: This action is effective March 11, 2024, through September 10, 2025.

April 2024

Date	Title
April 30, 2024	On December 19, 2016, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an interim final rule (2016 interim rule) amending its regulations governing the requirements and procedures for victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons seeking T nonimmigrant status. The 2016 interim rule amended the regulations to conform with legislation enacted after the publication of the initial regulations and to codify discretionary changes based on DHS’s experience implementing the T nonimmigrant status program since it was established in 2002. DHS is adopting the 2016 interim rule as final with several clarifying changes based on USCIS experience implementing the interim rule, in response to comments received, and due to an organizational change to move the regulations to a separate subpart as explained in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. This final rule is intended to respond to public comments and clarify the eligibility and application requirements so that they conform to current law. DATES: This rule is effective August 28, 2024.
April 15, 2024	On February 14, 2024, President Joseph Biden issued a memorandum to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) determining that it was in the foreign policy interest of the United States to defer for 18 months, the removal of certain Palestinians present in the United States and to provide them with employment authorization documentation. The memorandum directed the Secretary to make provision for immediate allowance of employment authorization for such individuals. This notice provides information about Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Palestinians and provides information on how eligible individuals may apply for DED-based Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with USCIS, as well as for travel authorization. DATES: DED for eligible Palestinian noncitizens covered by this notice began on February 14, 2024, and ends on August 13, 2025.
April 15, 2024	The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is suspending certain regulatory requirements for certain Palestinian F–1 nonimmigrant students who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian Territories. The Secretary is providing relief to these students who are in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant status, so the students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F–1 nonimmigrant status. DATES: This action for certain Palestinian F–1 nonimmigrant students covered by this notice began on February 14, 2024, and ends on August 13, 2025.
April 15, 2024	Through this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, beginning on June 13, 2024, and ending on December 12, 2025. This extension allows existing TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through December 12, 2025, if they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through December 12, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period described in this notice. The Secretary is also redesignating Ethiopia for TPS. The redesignation of Ethiopia allows additional Ethiopian nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ethiopia) who have been continuously residing in the United States since April 11, 2024, to apply for TPS for the first time during the initial registration period described under the redesignation information in this notice. In addition to demonstrating continuous residence in the United States since April 11, 2024, and meeting other eligibility criteria, initial applicants for TPS under this designation must demonstrate that they have been continuously physically present in the United States since June 13, 2024, the effective date of this redesignation of Ethiopia for TPS. DATES: Extension and Redesignation of Designation of Ethiopia for TPS begins on June 13, 2024, and will remain in effect for 18 months. For registration instructions, see the Registration Information section below.
April 8, 2024	This rule temporarily amends existing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations to provide that the automatic extension period applicable to expiring Employment Authorization Documents (Forms I–766 or EADs) for certain renewal applicants who have filed Form I–765, Application for Employment Authorization (EAD application), will be increased from up to 180 days to up to 540 days from the expiration date stated on their EADs. DHS is taking these steps to help prevent renewal applicants from experiencing a lapse in their employment authorization and documentation. DATES: Effective dates: This temporary final rule (TFR) is effective April 8, 2024, through September 20, 2027, except for the amendments to 8 CFR 274a.13(d)(5), which are effective from April 8, 2024 through October 15, 2025. Submission of public comments: Comments must be received on or before June 7, 2024.
April 4, 2024	This final rule amends Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations by adding procedures regarding DHS’s authority to debar from entering U.S. ports vessels owned or chartered by an entity found to be in violation of certain laws and regulations relating to the performance of longshore work by nonimmigrant crew members. The new procedures govern how U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provides notice to a vessel owner or operator of a debarment and how the owner or operator may request mitigation. The new procedures will ensure that the vessel debarment process is consistent, fair, and transparent. DATES: This final rule is effective on May 6, 2024.
April 3, 2024	On December 12, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an interim final rule, which amended regulations to update information that was no longer accurate since the creation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), the Web-based system DHS uses to collect and maintain current and ongoing information on Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)- certified schools, F–1 and M–1 nonimmigrant students, and J–1 Exchange Visitor Program participants and their sponsors. DHS is now issuing this final rule that introduces no substantive changes from the interim final rule. DATES: The effective date of this rule is May 3, 2024.
April 2, 2024	This final rule amends DHS regulations regarding two CBP trusted traveler programs: Global Entry and Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI). CBP is amending regulations to make the Global Entry and SENTRI application fees uniform, provide a uniform standard regarding payment of the Global Entry and SENTRI application fees for minors, change the fee payment schedule and certain aspects of the application process for SENTRI, and incorporate SENTRI-specific regulations into DHS regulations. CBP is also amending regulations to address Global Entry expansion to preclearance facilities and eliminate the dedicated commuter lane systems cost fee. DATES: This rule is effective October 1, 2024.
April 2, 2024	On April 1, 2020, the Department of Justice (‘‘the Department’’ or ‘‘DOJ’’) published an interim final rule (‘‘IFR’’) with request for comments that amended its regulations relating to the organization of the Board of Immigration Appeals (‘‘Board’’) by adding two Board member positions, thereby expanding the Board to 23 members. This final rule responds to comments received and adds five additional Board member positions, thereby expanding the Board to 28 members. The final rule also clarifies that temporary Board members serve renewable terms of up to six months and that temporary Board members are appointed by the Attorney General. DATES: This rule is effective on April 2, 2024.

May 2024

Date	Title
May 29, 2024	On September 8, 2023, the Department of Justice (‘‘Department’’) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (‘‘NPRM’’) proposing to rescind an enjoined December 2020 rule (the ‘‘AA96 Final Rule’’) that imposed novel limits on the authority of immigration judges and the Board of Immigration Appeals (‘‘BIA’’ or ‘‘Board’’) to efficiently dispose of cases. Because the AA96 Final Rule has been enjoined since shortly after its issuance, the proposed rule was designed to largely codify the currently operative status quo. After reviewing and considering the public comments received during the comment period, the Department is finalizing the proposed rule with the limited changes described in the preamble. The Department believes that this rule will promote the efficient and expeditious adjudication of cases, afford immigration judges and the Board flexibility to efficiently allocate their limited resources, and protect due process for parties before immigration judges and the Board. DATES: This rule is effective July 29, 2024.

Date

Title

May 29, 2024

On September 8, 2023, the Department of Justice (‘‘Department’’) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (‘‘NPRM’’) proposing to rescind an enjoined December 2020 rule (the ‘‘AA96 Final Rule’’) that imposed novel limits on the authority of immigration judges and the Board of Immigration Appeals (‘‘BIA’’ or ‘‘Board’’) to efficiently dispose of cases. Because the AA96 Final Rule has been enjoined since shortly after its issuance, the proposed rule was designed to largely codify the currently operative status quo. After reviewing and considering the public comments received during the comment period, the Department is finalizing the proposed rule with the limited changes described in the preamble. The Department believes that this rule will promote the efficient and expeditious adjudication of cases, afford immigration judges and the Board flexibility to efficiently allocate their limited resources, and protect due process for parties before immigration judges and the Board. DATES: This rule is effective July 29, 2024.

June 2024

Date	Title
June 28, 2024	In this final rule, DHS adjusts for inflation its civil monetary penalties for 2024, in accordance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 and Executive Office of the President (EOP) Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance. DHS is also accounting for additional civil monetary penalties that the U.S. Coast Guard is statutorily authorized to collect. The new penalty amounts will be effective for penalties assessed after June 28, 2024 whose associated violations occurred after November 2, 2015. DATES: This rule is effective on June 28, 2024.
June 7, 2024	On June 3, 2024, the President signed a Proclamation under sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (‘‘INA’’), finding that the entry into the United States of certain noncitizens during emergency border circumstances would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and suspending and limiting the entry of those noncitizens. The Proclamation directed DHS and DOJ to promptly consider issuing regulations addressing the circumstances at the southern border, including any warranted limitations and conditions on asylum eligibility. The Departments are now issuing this IFR. DATES: Effective date: This IFR is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on June 5, 2024. Submission of public comments: Comments must be submitted on or before July 8, 2024. The electronic Federal Docket Management System will accept comments prior to midnight eastern time at the end of that day.
June 6, 2024	The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to amend and clarify the regulations concerning the 9– 11 Response & Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for H–1B and L–1 Visas (9–11 Biometric Fee). The proposed regulatory changes would clarify DHS’s interpretation of ambiguous statutory language to require that covered employers submit the 9–11 Biometric Fee for all extension-of-stay petitions, regardless of whether a Fraud Fee applies, so as to include extension-of-stay petitions that do not involve a change of employer. The 9–11 Biometric Fee would continue to apply unchanged to petitions seeking an initial grant of status. The proposed changes will also help DHS comply with its congressional mandate to implement a biometric entry-exit data system. DATES: Comments must be received by July 8, 2024.

July 2024

Date	Title
July 31, 2024	Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Lebanese Nationals
July 26, 2024	The Department of State (the Department) is correcting a regulation that was amended by a final rule published in the Federal Register on July 14, 2023. This final rule made a typographical error in the immigrant visa classification symbols and incorrectly listed the IB1 classification for ‘‘Self-petition Spouse of U.S. Citizen’’ as ‘‘IBI’’ rather than ‘‘IB1.’’ This mistake could cause confusion. DATES: Effective on July 26, 2024.
July 25, 2024	On January 17, 2017, DHS published a final rule with new regulatory provisions guiding the use of parole on a case-by-case basis with respect to certain entrepreneurs of start-up entities. The 2017 regulation provided that the investment and revenue amount requirements would automatically adjust every three years. DHS is issuing this rule to update the investment and revenue amounts in the regulations to adjust for inflation. DATES: This final rule is effective on October 1, 2024.
July 23, 2024	The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), Department of Justice (DOJ), will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until September 23, 2024.
July 22, 2024	The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is suspending certain regulatory requirements for F–1 nonimmigrant students from Somalia who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current crisis in Somalia. The Secretary is providing relief to these students who are in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant status, so the students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F–1 nonimmigrant status. DATES: This action covers eligible Somali F–1 nonimmigrant students beginning on September 18, 2024, and ending on March 17, 2026.
July 22, 2024	Through this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and redesignating Somalia for TPS for 18 months, beginning on September 18, 2024, and ending on March 17, 2026. This extension and redesignation allows Somali nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia) who have been continuously residing in the United States since July 12, 2024, and who have been continuously physically present in the United States since September 18, 2024, to apply or re-register for TPS. DATES: Extension and Redesignation of Designation of Somalia for TPS begins on September 18, 2024, and will remain in effect for 18 months.
July 10, 2024	The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is suspending certain regulatory requirements for F–1 nonimmigrant students from Yemen who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current crisis in Yemen. The Secretary is providing relief to these students who are in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant status, so the students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F–1 nonimmigrant status. DATES: This action covers eligible Yemeni F–1 nonimmigrant students beginning on September 4, 2024, and ending on March 3, 2026.
July 10, 2024	Through this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of Yemen for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and redesignating Yemen for TPS for 18 months, beginning on September 4, 2024, and ending on March 3, 2026. This extension and redesignation allows Yemeni nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen) who have been continuously residing in the United States since July 2, 2024, and who have been continuously physically present in the United States since September 4, 2024, to apply or re-register for TPS. DATES: Extension and redesignation of designation of Yemen for TPS begins on September 4, 2024, and will remain in effect for 18 months.
July 9, 2024	Based upon a review of the Administrative Record assembled pursuant to Section 219(a)(4)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended (8 U.S.C. 1189(a)(4)(C)) (‘‘INA’’), and in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of State has determined that the circumstances that were the basis for the designation of al-Shabaab (and other aliases) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization have not changed in such a manner as to warrant revocation of the designation and that the national security of the United States does not warrant a revocation of the designation. Therefore, the Secretary of State has determined that the designation of the aforementioned organization, pursuant to Section 219 of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1189), shall be maintained. This determination shall be published in the Federal Register. Dated: May 2, 2024.
July 3, 2024	Extending Eligibility for Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians

August 2024

Date	Title
August 23, 2024	USCIS is correcting a final rule that published in the Federal Register on April 30, 2024. The final rule amended DHS regulations governing the requirements and procedures for victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons seeking T nonimmigrant status. These technical corrections will fix typographical and non-substantive technical errors. DATES: Effective August 28, 2024.
August 22, 2024	The Department of State (‘‘Department’’) is amending a regulation relating to the effect of certain pardons on criminal-related grounds of visa ineligibility. DATES: This final rule is effective on August 22, 2024.
August 9, 2024	On August 29, 2011, the Department of Homeland Security published a final rule titled ‘‘Immigration Benefits Business Transformation, Increment I,’’ which, in part, amended DHS regulations to remove references to form numbers and titles. Two of the amendatory instructions were inadvertently not followed, resulting in errors in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). This document describes those errors and corrects the CFR to incorporate the amendments as instructed in the 2011 final rule. This action makes no substantive regulatory changes. DATES: August 9, 2024

September 2024

Date	Title
September 26, 2024	Eligible citizens, nationals, and passport holders from designated Visa Waiver Program countries may apply for admission to the United States at U.S. ports of entry as nonimmigrant noncitizens for a period of ninety days or less for business or pleasure without first obtaining a nonimmigrant visa, provided that they are otherwise eligible for admission under applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. On September 20, 2024, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, designated Qatar as a country that is eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program, effective September 24, 2024. Accordingly, this rule updates the list of countries designated for participation in the Visa Waiver Program by adding Qatar. DATES: This final rule is effective on September 26, 2024. The Secretary’s designation is effective on September 24, 2024. The designation will be implemented on December 1, 2024.
September 24, 2024	On June 28, 2024, President Joseph Biden issued a memorandum to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) determining that it was in the foreign policy interest of the United States to defer until June 30, 2026, the removal of certain Liberians present in the United States and to provide them with employment authorization documentation. This notice provides information about Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians and how eligible individuals may apply for DED-based Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with USCIS, as well as for travel authorization. DATES: The extension of DED began on June 28, 2024, and ends on June 30, 2026, for eligible noncitizens who are nationals of Liberia (or persons having no nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia) who are covered under DED by the June 28, 2024, Presidential Memorandum.

Date

Title

September 26, 2024

Eligible citizens, nationals, and passport holders from designated Visa Waiver Program countries may apply for admission to the United States at U.S. ports of entry as nonimmigrant noncitizens for a period of ninety days or less for business or pleasure without first obtaining a nonimmigrant visa, provided that they are otherwise eligible for admission under applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. On September 20, 2024, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, designated Qatar as a country that is eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program, effective September 24, 2024. Accordingly, this rule updates the list of countries designated for participation in the Visa Waiver Program by adding Qatar. DATES: This final rule is effective on September 26, 2024. The Secretary’s designation is effective on September 24, 2024. The designation will be implemented on December 1, 2024.

September 24, 2024

On June 28, 2024, President Joseph Biden issued a memorandum to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) determining that it was in the foreign policy interest of the United States to defer until June 30, 2026, the removal of certain Liberians present in the United States and to provide them with employment authorization documentation. This notice provides information about Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians and how eligible individuals may apply for DED-based Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with USCIS, as well as for travel authorization. DATES: The extension of DED began on June 28, 2024, and ends on June 30, 2026, for eligible noncitizens who are nationals of Liberia (or persons having no nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia) who are covered under DED by the June 28, 2024, Presidential Memorandum.

October 2024

Date	Title
October 25, 2024	The Department of Homeland Security (DHS or the Department), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing this document to inform the public of the approval of a new credentialing organization for certain health care workers for certain immigration purposes. DATES: USCIS approved the application from International Education Evaluations, LLC on October 25, 2024.
October 18, 2024	The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is suspending certain regulatory requirements for certain Lebanese F–1 nonimmigrant students who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. The Secretary is providing relief to these students who are in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant status, so the students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F–1 nonimmigrant status. DATES: This action covers eligible Lebanese F–1 nonimmigrant students beginning on July 26, 2024, and ending on January 25, 2026.
October 7, 2024	On June 3, 2024, the President signed a Proclamation under sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (‘‘INA’’) suspending and limiting the entry of certain noncitizens into the United States during emergency border circumstances. DHS and DOJ (‘‘the Departments’’) issued a complementary interim final rule (‘‘IFR’’) shortly thereafter. This final rule responds to public comments received on the IFR, makes certain revisions to the regulatory text, and seeks comment on potential changes to the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule as well as changes that parallel modifications made by the subsequent Proclamation. DATES: Effective date: This rule is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on October 1, 2024.

November 2024

Date	Title
November 27, 2024	The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is suspending certain regulatory requirements for F–1 nonimmigrant students from Lebanon who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current crisis in Lebanon. The Secretary is providing relief to these students who are in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant status, so the students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F–1 nonimmigrant status. DATES: This action covers eligible Lebanese F–1 nonimmigrant students beginning on November 27, 2024, and ending on May 27, 2026.
November 27, 2024	Through this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is designating Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, beginning on November 27, 2024, and ending on May 27, 2026. This designation allows Lebanese nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Lebanon) who have continuously resided in the United States since October 16, 2024, and who have been continuously physically present in the United States since November 27, 2024, to apply for TPS. DATES: Designation of Lebanon for TPS begins on November 27, 2024, and will remain in effect for 18 months. For registration instructions, see the Registration Information section below.
November 8, 2024	Under Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may generally only approve petitions for H–2A and H–2B nonimmigrant status for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, has designated by notice published in the Federal Register. Each such notice shall be effective for one year after its date of publication. This notice announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is identifying 88 countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H–2A program and 89 countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H–2B program for the coming year. DATES: The designations in this notice are effective from November 7, 2024 and shall be without effect on November 8, 2025.

December 2024

Date	Title
December 2, 2024	: DHS, in consultation with DOL, is exercising time-limited Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 authority and increasing the total number of noncitizens who may receive an H–2B nonimmigrant visa by up to 64,716 for the entirety of FY 2025. These supplemental visas will be distributed in four allocations throughout the fiscal year. This rule reserves 20,000 of these visas for nationals of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, or Costa Rica. All visas will be available only to businesses that are suffering or will suffer impending irreparable harm, as attested by the employer. In addition, DHS is again providing temporary portability flexibility. DATES: Effective dates: The amendments at instructions 1, 3, and 5 are effective December 2, 2024; instructions 2 and 4 amending 8 CFR 214.2 and 274a.12, respectively, are effective from December 2, 2024, through December 2, 2027; instruction 6, adding 20 CFR 655.64, is effective from December 2, 2024, through September 30, 2025; and instruction 7, adding 20 CFR 655.68, is effective from December 2, 2024, through September 30, 2028. Petition dates: DHS will not accept any H–2B petitions under provisions related to the FY 2025 supplemental numerical allocations after September 15, 2025, and will not approve any such H–2B petitions after September 30, 2025. The provisions related to portability are only available to petitioners and H–2B nonimmigrant workers initiating employment through the end of January 24, 2026.

Date

Title

December 2, 2024

: DHS, in consultation with DOL, is exercising time-limited Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 authority and increasing the total number of noncitizens who may receive an H–2B nonimmigrant visa by up to 64,716 for the entirety of FY 2025. These supplemental visas will be distributed in four allocations throughout the fiscal year. This rule reserves 20,000 of these visas for nationals of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, or Costa Rica. All visas will be available only to businesses that are suffering or will suffer impending irreparable harm, as attested by the employer. In addition, DHS is again providing temporary portability flexibility. DATES: Effective dates: The amendments at instructions 1, 3, and 5 are effective December 2, 2024; instructions 2 and 4 amending 8 CFR 214.2 and 274a.12, respectively, are effective from December 2, 2024, through December 2, 2027; instruction 6, adding 20 CFR 655.64, is effective from December 2, 2024, through September 30, 2025; and instruction 7, adding 20 CFR 655.68, is effective from December 2, 2024, through September 30, 2028. Petition dates: DHS will not accept any H–2B petitions under provisions related to the FY 2025 supplemental numerical allocations after September 15, 2025, and will not approve any such H–2B petitions after September 30, 2025. The provisions related to portability are only available to petitioners and H–2B nonimmigrant workers initiating employment through the end of January 24, 2026.

Updated December 3, 2024