DOS Final Rule on Affidavits of Support
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 50751-50753]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20se99-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 40
[Public Notice 3105]
RIN 1400-AA79
VISAS: Regulations Regarding Public Charge Requirements Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended
AGENCY: Bureau of Consular Affairs, State.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This final rule amends Department of State regulations pertaining to the issuance of visas by establishing uniform procedures for the acceptance of affidavits of support by consular posts abroad as required by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Publication of this rule is necessary to ensure proper adjudication of immigrant
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visas pursuant to changes made to the INA by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA). The rule imposes new requirements on immigrant visa applicants.
EFFECTIVE DATES: This final rule is effective as of December 17, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Acker, Visa Regulations Coordinator, Legislation and Regulations Division, Visa Office, Room L603-C, SA-1, Washington, DC, 20520-0106 (ackerrl@sa1wpoa.us- state.gov).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department published an interim rule, Public notice 2674 at 62 FR 67563, December 29, 1997, with a request for comments, for title 22, Sec. 40.41, Code of the Federal Regulations. The rule was proposed to fully implement the provisions of section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), Pub. L. 104-208. That section requires changing the previous subparagraph (C) of INA 212(a)(4) to subparagraph (D) and adding a new subparagraph (C). The new subparagraph (C) provided that aliens applying in the immediate- relative, family-based and certain employment visa categories must be found ineligible unless the applicant is the beneficiary of an affidavit of support filed under INA 213A which is sufficient (meaning one that demonstrates the sponsor has income and assets equaling at least 125% of the current minimum Federal Poverty Guidelines to meet the requirements of that section). The employment based petitions are limited to those instances where a sponsoring relative is the petitioning employer or owns a 5% or more interest in the entity that is the petitioning employer.
The Immigration and Naturalization Service has promulgated rules and forms for the implementation of this procedure. Accordingly, the Department is adding to and/or changing its regulations at 22 CFR 40.41 to reflect the new affidavit of support requirements.
Comments
The interim rule for comment was published at 62 FR 67563. The comment period was closed on February 27, 1998 and the Department received 3 timely comments in response to the interim rule. After considering the comments received, the Department has adopted the interim rule in its entirety.
Analysis of Comments
The commentators' primary focus regarded the ability of a Consular Officer to find a visa applicant inadmissible, based on a likelihood of becoming a public charge, even if a qualifying Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, had been submitted. Since the affidavit of support requirements had been met, the commentators argued, Consular Officers should be limited in their discretion to find an applicant inadmissible.
While the Department appreciates the commentators' concern, the language of INA 212 (a)(4) supports consular discretion and the examination of multiple factors in determining the likelihood of an individual becoming a public charge, as opposed to the mere acceptance of a facially sufficient affidavit of support. According to the language of INA 212 (a)(4)(A), if it is the Consular Officer's opinion the applicant is likely to become a public charge, then such applicant is inadmissible and, therefore, unqualified for visa issuance. INA 212 (a)(4)(B) states that the Consular Officer shall consider, ``at a minimum,'' factors including the applicant's age, health, family status, assets, resources, financial status, and education and skills. In addition to those requirements, the affidavit of support may be considered.
Any regulations promulgated pursuant to this statute should reflect the language of the INA. Such is the case with the interim rule as proposed. It incorporates the requirements of new INA 212 (A)(4)(C) by requiring the completion of an affidavit of support, but permits the Consular Officer to base his adjudication of the case on the totality of the circumstances surrounding the applicant. The rule makes clear that although Form I-864 is a necessary part of certain immigrant visa applications, it is not, in and of itself, wholly adequate to find that an applicant satisfies the public charge requirements. It is a threshold requirement necessary to begin public charge considerations, but it is not an end.
This is not to say, however, that a sufficient affidavit of support is not given great weight in the Consular Officer's determination. In many cases, the affidavit will be enough to issue a visa. And, in the event the Consular Officer finds the affidavit of support inadequate, a Consular Officer is instructed to be sure that there is a clear, well- documented basis for the determination that the applicant is likely to become a public charge. The Department has issued guidance to Consular Officers to this effect.
One commentator expressed a concern that the myriad factors that are within a Consular Officer's discretion to consider, in addition to a sufficient affidavit of support, would harm an applicant's chances of obtaining a visa since these other factors would add prejudicial uncertainty to the process. Although the commentator is correct that the additional factors can be complicated, there is no change in this respect as a result of the regulation since public charge determinations historically have contemplated numerous factors. In any event, under the statute a consular officer must consider such additional factors.
Another commentator maintained that an applicant who had met the minimum income requirement, but was otherwise unemployable, should be allowed to submit a non-legally-binding affidavit of support (presumably from another individual) if the Consular Officer, in his discretion, determines that a Joint Sponsor is not warranted. INA 213A(a)(1)(B) states that an affidavit is not acceptable by a consular officer to establish non-excludibility as a public charge unless it is legally enforceable. Therefore, the submission of a non-legally-binding affidavit of support by an alien in any of those categories for which Form I-864, is required while not precluded, will not establish that an applicant is not excludable as a public charge.
Finally, one commentator was concerned that Consular Officers would be influenced by what was perceived as a more stringent interpretation of the statute as stated by INS in its interim regulation at 8 CFR 213a.2(c)(2)(v), published at 62 FR 54346, October 10, 1997. This concern, however, is based upon an inaccurate interpretation of the regulation. It does not burden an applicant with any greater requirements. The regulation merely restates, albeit in different language than the Department's regulation, that a Consular Officer is to use his or her statutorily authorized discretion in determining public charge issues. This construction is supported by the Department.
Final Rule
The interim rule amended the Department's regulations at 22 CFR 40.41 to establish uniform procedures for using the affidavit of support in adjudicating immigrant visas. Since the Department does not feel it necessary to further amend the regulations as published in the interim rule, the interim rule is being incorporated herein as a final rule.
List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 40
Aliens, Immigrants, Nonimmigration, Passports and visas.
Accordingly, the interim rule amending 22 CFR part 40 which was
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published on December 29, 1997 is adopted as a final rule without change.
Dated: August 27, 1999.Mary A. Ryan,
Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs.
[FR Doc. 99-24184 Filed 9-17-99; 8:45 am]
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