INS Notice of the Expansion of Direct Mail Program
[Notices]
[Page 16607-16608]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07ap97_dat-102]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Immigration and Naturalization Service
[INS No. 1842-97]
RIN 1115-AE77
Direct Mail Program; Form I-360
AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice.
ACTION: Notice of Expansion of the Direct Mail Program.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the Immigration and Naturalization Service's (Service) plan to expand the Direct Mail Program to include the filing of self-petitions by a battered spouse or child on Form I- 360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant. The Service will now require that all Forms I-360, filed by a self- petitioning battered spouse, child, or by the parent of a battered child, be mailed directly to the Vermont Service Center. This change will enable the Service to expedite the processing of these petitions.
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DATES: This notice is effective May 7, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Karen FitzGerald, Staff Officer, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Adjudications and Nationality Division, 425 I Street, NW., Room 3214, Washington, DC 20536, telephone (202) 514-5014.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under 8 CFR 103.2(a), applications submitted to the Service must be executed and filed in accordance with the instructions on the application form. By eliminating specific reference to filing location, this regulation provides service center directors with the authority to accept and process applications designated for Direct Mail. It also provides the Service with the flexibility to shift filings to the service centers as the Direct Mail Program continues to expand.
Recent legislation and the publication of an interim rule on March 26, 1996, at 59 FR 13061 have led the Service to conclude that expansion of the use of the direct mail program to include I-360 petitions filed in accordance with the provisions of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is warranted.
It is the intent of the Service to ensure sensitive and expeditious processing of the petitions filed by this class of at-risk applicants. Institution of a centralized direct mail filing process enables the Service to accomplish this and engenders uniformity in the adjudication of all applications of this type. This modification also enhances the Service's ability to be more responsive to inquiries from applicants, their representatives, and benefit-granting agencies.
Where to File
Effective May 7, 1997, Form I-360 for self-petitioning battered spouses and children residing within the United States must be mailed, with all supporting documentation, directly to the following address: USINS Vermont Service Center, 75 Lower Weldon Street, St. Albans, VT 05479. Applicants may obtain the Form I-360 by telephoning the toll- free INS Forms Request Line, 1-800-870-3676.
Special Note
This notice does not apply to I-360 petitions filed by Amerasians, widow(er)s, or special immigrants.
Transition
During the first 30 days following the effective date of this notice, district offices and service centers will forward to the Vermont Service Center, in a timely manner, any Form I-360 filed by a self-petitioning battered spouse or child, which has been inadvertently mailed to an office other than the Vermont Service Center. Petitions filed prior to the effective date of this notice will be adjudicated at the place of initial filing.
Appeals or motions to reopen or reconsider denied I-360 petitions submitted to the Service prior to May 7, 1997 will be processed by the office where the I-360 was originally filed and adjudicated. Appeals and motions filed during the transition period, and after this notice goes into effect, should be filed with the Vermont Service Center and will be processed by that office.
During the transition period, the Service intends to work closely with community organizations and advocacy groups to provide information and assistance to the public regarding this change.
After the 30-day transition period, self-petitioning battered spouses and children will be directed to mail the Form I-360 to the Vermont Service Center for processing.
Dated: March 22, 1997.Doris Meissner,
Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service.
[FR Doc. 97-8835 Filed 4-4-97; 8:45 am]
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