Search Results for keywords:"Department of Homeland Security"

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is inviting public comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection regarding the Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver of Inadmissibility (Form I-601A). This notice allows an additional 30 days for comments concerning the necessity and efficiency of this information collection, which aids USCIS in determining an applicant’s eligibility for the waiver. Public feedback is requested on matters such as the collection's estimated burden and any potential improvements, and comments must be submitted by March 29, 2021, via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. The submission of Form I-601A is crucial for individuals seeking to qualify for the provisional waiver process concerning unlawful presence inadmissibility, affecting about 63,000 respondents with a total estimated annual public burden of 168,210 hours and a cost burden of $3,212,390.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have issued a final rule regarding the enforcement of REAL ID requirements for driver's licenses and identification cards used for federal purposes. Starting May 7, 2025, federal agencies must begin enforcing these requirements but can do so using a phased approach until May 5, 2027, if they consider factors like security, operational feasibility, and public impact. This rule aims to provide flexibility for a smoother transition since not all individuals currently possess REAL ID-compliant IDs. Agencies that choose phased enforcement must coordinate with DHS and publicly share their plans.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an extension of the comment period for an information collection request related to reduced fees, allowing public comments until February 16, 2021. This extension follows legal challenges that halted a final rule which would have changed the fee schedule and eliminated the reduced fee form, Form I-942. The notice invites public feedback concerning the necessity, accuracy, and impact of collecting this information. The form is used to assess eligibility for reduced fees for immigration benefits, impacting individuals or households, and estimates suggest 4,491 respondents with a total burden cost of $19,087.

The Coast Guard, as part of the Department of Homeland Security, has established a temporary safety zone on the Potomac River between the 14th Street Bridge and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. This safety zone is in response to a midair collision between a jet and a helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport, which resulted in the jet landing in the river. The safety zone is effective from February 7 to February 21, 2025, to protect first responders, vessels, and the public from hazards such as debris and jet fuel. Entry into this zone is prohibited without authorization from the Captain of the Port (COTP) Maryland-National Capital Region or their representative.

The Department of Homeland Security, through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is extending a request for public comments on the ongoing collection of information regarding the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693). This notice gives the public an additional 30 days to provide feedback. The purpose of this extension is to evaluate the necessity and effectiveness of the information collection process, as well as to suggest improvements. Those interested in submitting comments can do so via the Federal eRulemaking Portal by April 4, 2025.

The Coast Guard, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is considering implementing Safety Management Systems (SMS) to enhance safety and reduce accidents on U.S.-flagged passenger vessels. They're seeking public feedback on whether such systems are feasible and beneficial, focusing on aspects like vessel size, design, and operation. The Coast Guard is also interested in how implementing SMSs could influence the sharing of safety information and if it might lead to the removal of outdated regulations. Public comments are encouraged to help shape potential new rules, and feedback is requested by April 15, 2021.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has updated its regulations to give asylum officers (AOs) the authority to apply certain mandatory bars against asylum and statutory withholding of removal during credible and reasonable fear screenings. This change aims to help DHS efficiently remove noncitizens who are deemed ineligible due to these bars, primarily focusing on those who might pose security risks or public safety concerns. The update is designed to enhance the processing of asylum claims by making decisions on these cases more quickly, reducing the burden on immigration courts. The rule also states that noncitizens who receive a negative determination due to these bars can still seek a review of the decision by an immigration judge.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a final rule to adjust civil monetary penalties for inflation, effective January 2, 2025. These adjustments are in line with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 and guidance from the Office of Management and Budget. This rule increases penalty amounts for violations occurring after November 2, 2015, and applies to various DHS components like the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Coast Guard. The updated penalty amounts are designed to maintain their deterrent effect and comply with mandatory legislative requirements.

On October 3, 2023, Venezuela was designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) due to conditions in the country that made it unsafe for Venezuelans to return home. This status was set to expire on April 2, 2025. However, after reviewing the situation in Venezuela, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security decided that it's against the U.S. national interest for Venezuelans to remain in the U.S. under the 2023 TPS designation. As a result, this designation is being terminated, effective April 7, 2025. The termination doesn't affect the 2021 TPS designation for Venezuela, which remains active until September 10, 2025.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice have announced a further delay in the implementation of the "Security Bars" final rule until December 31, 2025. This rule was originally intended to define certain public health concerns as threats to U.S. security, affecting asylum eligibility. The delay is due to potential conflicts with other existing regulations and the absence of current public health conditions that would activate the rule. The departments are seeking public comments on the postponement, but not on the potential modification or cancellation of the rule.