9/24//2005

USCIS Rule to Grant EB Immigrant Status to Certain Scientists from Former Soviet Union and Baltic States. This rule which is published today with the effective date of May 25, 2005 implements changes to the Soviet Scientists Immigration Act of 1992 (SSIA), Public Law 102-509, made by the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003, Public Law 107-228. The SSIA, as amended, reinstates the authority to allot visas under section  203(b)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality (Act) to eligible scientists or engineers of the independent states of the former Soviet Union and the Baltic states with expertise in nuclear, chemical, biological, or other high-technology field or defense projects. 

This rule amends the DHS regulations to codify the new sunset date of September 30, 2006 and the new numerical limit of 950 visas (excluding spouses and children if accompanying or following to join). This program expired on October 24, 1996. The SSIA of 2003 (1) Reopens the eligibility period for filing petitions for 4 years from the date of enactment of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (September 30, 2002); and (2) Raises the numerical limit for visas under the program from 750 to 950.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

8 CFR Part 204

[CIS No. 2277-03; DHS-2004-0013]
RIN 1615-AB14

Classification of Certain Scientists of the Commonwealth of Independent States of the Former Soviet Union and the Baltic States as  Employment-Based Immigrants

SUMMARY: This interim rule implements changes to the Soviet Scientists Immigration Act of 1992 (SSIA), Public Law 102-509, made by the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003, Public Law 107-228. The SSIA, as amended, reinstates the authority to allot visas under section 203(b)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality (Act) to eligible  scientists or engineers of the independent states of the former Soviet  Union and the Baltic states with expertise in nuclear, chemical,  biological, or other high-technology field or defense projects. 

This  rule amends the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations to codify the new sunset date of September 30, 2006 and the new numerical limit of 950 visas (excluding spouses and children if accompanying or following to join). The rule also modifies the evidence eligible scientists or engineers must submit to establish their expertise or work experience in such high technology fields or defense projects.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by CIS No. 2277-03 or DHS 2004-0013, by one of the following methods: EPA Federal Partner EDOCKET Web site: http://www.epa.gov/feddocket. Follow instructions for submitting comments on the Web site.

Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 

Follow the instructions for submitting comments. E-mail: rfs.regs@dhs.gov. When submitting comments  electronically, please include CIS No. 2277-03 in the subject line of  the message.

Mail: The Director, Regulatory Management Division, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security,  111 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20529. To  ensure proper handling, please reference CIS No. 2277-03 on your  correspondence. This mailing address may also be used for paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions.

Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name  and docket number (if available) or Regulatory Information Number (RIN)  for this rulemaking. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.epa.gov/feddocket.