Unknown. Interim final rule with request for comments

5,477 words·~25 min read·/register/2021/03/22/2021-05931

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

--- schema: federal-register doc_type: fedreg source_file: FR-2021-03-22.xml --- 86 53 Monday, March 22, 2021 Contents Agency Health Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality NOTICES Meetings: Subcommittees, 15220 2021-05827 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals, 15206 2021-05818 Centers Disease Centers for Disease Control and Prevention NOTICES Meetings: Community Preventive Services Task Force, 15220-15221 2021-05810 Children Children and Families Administration NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities;

Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Runaway and Homeless Youth Homeless Management Information System, 15225 2021-05876 Revised Single-Case Design Procedures and Standards: Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness Review, 15221-15225 2021-05840 Civil Rights Civil Rights Commission NOTICES Meetings: Mississippi Advisory Committee, 15183 2021-05842 Virginia Advisory Committee, 15183-15184 2021-05841 Coast Guard Coast Guard RULES Safety Zone: Potomac River, Between Charles County, MD and King George County, VA, 15094-15096 2021-05964 NOTICES Request for Applications:

Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee, 15226-15227 2021-05844 Commerce Commerce Department See International Trade Administration See National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Comptroller Comptroller of the Currency RULES Emergency Capital Investment Program, 15076-15081 2021-05443 NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Fair Credit Reporting: Affiliate Marketing, 15288-15289 2021-05828 Transfer Agent Registration and Deregistration Forms, 15287-15288 2021-05826 Defense Acquisition Defense Acquisition Regulations System NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities;

Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Special Contracting Methods, and Related Clauses, 15206-15207 2021-05769 Defense Department Defense Department See Defense Acquisition Regulations System Drug Drug Enforcement Administration NOTICES Decision and Order: Lawrence E. Stewart, 15257-15258 2021-05845 Education Department Education Department NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals:

Annual Report on Appeals Process, 15207-15208 2021-05884 National Assessment of Educational Progress 2021 Update 2, 15209-15210 2021-05885 Interpretation Regarding Period of Allowable Expenses for Funds Administered Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Program, 15208-15209 2021-05849 Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Security Administration NOTICES Proposed Exemption for Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions Involving the Electrical Insurance Trustees Insurance Fund and the Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trust Located in Alsip, IL, 15258-15265 2021-05843 Employment and Training Employment and Training Administration PROPOSED RULES Strengthening Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Immigrants and Non-Immigrants in the United States;

Proposed Delay of Effective and Transition Dates, 15154-15162 2021-05847 NOTICES Post-Initial Determinations Regarding Eligibility To Apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance, 15271-15272 2021-05839 Trade Adjustment Assistance; Determinations, 15267-15271 2021-05837 Worker Adjustment Assistance; Investiations, 15266-15267 2021-05838 Energy Department Energy Department See Federal Energy Regulatory Commission NOTICES Application: Arizona Public Service Co.; Amend Export Authorization, 15211 2021-05859 Arizona Public Service Co.;

Amend Presidential Permit, 15210-15211 2021-05858 Environmental Protection Environmental Protection Agency RULES Air Quality State Implementation Plans; Approvals and Promulgations: Arkansas; Arkansas Regional Haze and Visibility Transport State Implementation Plan Revisions, 15104-15132 2021-05362 Arkansas; Regional Haze and Interstate Visibility Transport Federal Implementation Plan; Withdrawal of Federal Implementation Plan Provisions for the Domtar Ashdown Mill, 15101-15104 2021-05361 Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (20-4.B), 15096-15101 2021-04630 PROPOSED RULES Pesticide Product Performance Data Requirements for Products Claiming Efficacy Against Certain Invertebrate Pests, 15362-15396 2021-05137 Receipt of Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities March 2021, 15162-15165 2021-05692 Executive Office Executive Office for Immigration Review RULES Security Bars and Processing;

Delay of Effective Date, 15069-15072 2021-05931 Farm Credit Farm Credit Administration RULES Title IV Conservators and Receivers, 15081-15083 2021-05860 Federal Aviation Federal Aviation Administration RULES Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes, 15089-15092 2021-05583 Airbus SAS Airplanes, 15092-15094 2021-05550 PROPOSED RULES Airworthiness Directives:

Airbus Helicopters, 15143-15145 2021-05355 Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate Previously Held by Eurocopter France) Helicopters, 15140-15142 2021-05426 Airbus SAS Airplanes, 15151-15154 2021-05395 Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Helicopters, 15146-15149 2021-05433 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes, 15149-15151 2021-05352 Federal Communications Federal Communications Commission PROPOSED RULES Emergency Connectivity Fund for Educational Connections and Devices To Address the Homework Gap During the Pandemic, 15172-15180 2021-05887 Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain, 15165-15171 2021-04692 Television Broadcasting Services:

Savannah, GA; Correction, 15182 2021-05421 Superior and York, NE, 15180-15181 2021-04769 Toledo, OH, 15181-15182 2021-05442 Federal Deposit Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation RULES Emergency Capital Investment Program, 15076-15081 2021-05443 Federal Election Federal Election Commission NOTICES Meetings; Sunshine Act, 15219 2021-05986 Federal Emergency Federal Emergency Management Agency NOTICES Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations, 15232-15236 2021-05855 Major Disaster and Related Determinations:

Maryland, 15236-15237 2021-05800 Navajo Nation, 15236 2021-05798 Major Disaster Declaration: Alabama; Amendment No. 2, 15232 2021-05796 Alaska, 15229 2021-05802 Louisiana; Amendment No. 1, 15237 2021-05797 Louisiana; Amendment No. 3, 15237 2021-05795 Navajo Nation; Amendment No. 1, 15231 2021-05799 Texas; Amendment No. 1, 15229-15230 2021-05806 Texas; Amendment No. 2, 15227 2021-05807 Texas; Amendment No. 3, 15229 2021-05808 Washington, 15231 2021-05801 Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations, 15228-15231 2021-05856 2021-05857 Federal Energy Federal Energy Regulatory Commission NOTICES Application:

South Sutter Water District, 15213-15214 2021-05861 Combined Filings, 15214-15215 2021-05892 Environmental Assessments; Availability, etc.: Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC; East Lateral XPress Project, 15218-15219 2021-05865 Initial Market-Based Rate Filings Including Requests for Blanket Section 204 Authorizations: PGR 2020 Lessee 8, LLC, 15212-15213 2021-05893 Sugar Solar, LLC, 15217-15218 2021-05890 Meetings: Modernizing Electricity Market Design; Technical Conference, 15212 2021-05863 Resource Adequacy Developments in the Western Interconnection;

Technical Conference, 15218 2021-05864 Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues: Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC Mountain Valley Pipeline Project, 15215-15217 2021-05862 Federal Highway Federal Highway Administration NOTICES Final Federal Agency Actions: Transportation Project in Washington State, 15286-15287 2021-05832 Federal Reserve Federal Reserve System RULES Emergency Capital Investment Program, 15076-15081 2021-05443 NOTICES Formations of, Acquisitions by, and Mergers of Bank Holding Companies, 15220 2021-05879 Formations of, Acquisitions by, and Mergers of Savings and Loan Holding Companies, 15219-15220 2021-05880 Health and Human Health and Human Services Department See Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality See Centers for Disease Control and Prevention See Children and Families Administration See Inspector General Office, Health and Human Services Department See National Institutes of Health Homeland Homeland Security Department See Coast Guard See Federal Emergency Management Agency RULES Asylum Interview Interpreter Requirement Modification Due to COVID-19, 15072-15076 2021-05872 Security Bars and Processing;

Delay of Effective Date, 15069-15072 2021-05931 PROPOSED RULES Affidavit of Support on Behalf of Immigrants; Withdrawal, 15140 2021-05427 Privacy Act Exemptions: Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency-015 Fraud Investigations System of Records, 15138-15140 2021-05644 U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement-018 Analytical Records System of Records, 15134-15136 2021-05643 U.S. Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Customs and Border Protection-018 Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism System of Records, 15136-15138 2021-05650 NOTICES Privacy Act;

Systems of Records, 15237-15253 2021-05645 2021-05647 2021-05651 Inspector General Health Inspector General Office, Health and Human Services Department RULES Fraud and Abuse: Removal of Safe Harbor Protection for Rebates Involving Prescription Pharmaceuticals and Creation of New Safe Harbor Protection for Certain Point-of-Sale Reductions in Price on Prescription Pharmaceuticals and Certain Pharmacy Benefit Manager Service Fees; Delayed Effective Date, 15132-15133 2021-05903 Interior Interior Department See National Park Service International Trade Adm International Trade Administration NOTICES Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews:

Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-to-Length Plate From the Republic of Korea, 15184-15185 2021-05873 Certain Chassis and Subassemblies Thereof From the People's Republic of China, 15186-15188 2021-05815 Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp From the People's Republic of China, 15195-15198 2021-05874 Certain Non-Refillable Steel Cylinders From the People's Republic of China, 15192-15195 2021-05813 Circular Welded Carbon Steel Standard Pipe and Tube Products From Turkey, 15190-15192 2021-05814 Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value:

Non-Refillable Steel Cylinders From the People's Republic of China, 15188-15190 2021-05757 International Trade Com International Trade Commission NOTICES Complaint: Certain Skin Rejuvenation Devices, Components Thereof, and Products Containing the Same, 15256-15257 2021-05867 Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Mobile Devices With Multifunction Emulators, 15255-15256 2021-05836 Justice Department Justice Department See Drug Enforcement Administration See Executive Office for Immigration Review NOTICES Proposed Consent Decree:

Clean Water Act, 15258 2021-05824 Labor Department Labor Department See Employee Benefits Security Administration See Employment and Training Administration National Institute National Institutes of Health NOTICES Meetings: Center for Scientific Review, 15226 2021-05869 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 15225-15226 2021-05868 National Oceanic National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration PROPOSED RULES Taking and Importing Marine Mammals: Incidental to Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Fisheries Research, 15298-15359 2021-05128 NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities;

Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Vessel and Gear Marking, 15198-15199 2021-05851 Coral Reef Conservation Program, 15204-15205 2021-05811 Implementation of Vessel Speed Restrictions To Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions With North Atlantic Right Whales, 15202-15203 2021-05850 Endangered and Threatened Species: Initiation of 5-Year Review for Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) Distinct Population Segment; Extension of Information Request Period, 15205-15206 2021-05835 Initiation of a 5-Year Review for the Beringia and Okhotsk Distinct Population Segments of the Bearded Seal;

Extension of Information Request Period, 15203-15204 2021-05834 Environmental Assessments; Availability, etc.: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group Draft Restoration Plan 1: Birds, Marine Mammals, Oysters, and Sea Turtles, 15199-15202 2021-05716 National Park National Park Service NOTICES Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO, 15253-15255 2021-05886 Nuclear Regulatory Nuclear Regulatory Commission NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities;

Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Standards for Protection Against Radiation, 15273-15274 2021-05819 Exemption; Issuance: Exelon Generation Company, LLC; LaSalle County Station, Units 1 and 2, 15272-15273 2021-05833 Postal Regulatory Postal Regulatory Commission NOTICES New Postal Products, 15274-15275 2021-05896 Securities Securities and Exchange Commission NOTICES Meetings; Sunshine Act, 15281 2021-05982 Self-Regulatory Organizations; Proposed Rule Changes: Cboe Futures Exchange, LLC, 15279-15280 2021-05825 Investors Exchange LLC, 15275-15277 2021-05822 Nasdaq BX, Inc., 15277-15279 2021-05821 The Depository Trust Co., 15281-15284 2021-05823 Small Business Small Business Administration RULES Business Loan Program Temporary Changes:

Paycheck Protection Program as Amended by American Rescue Plan Act, 15083-15089 2021-05930 NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals, 15284-15285 2021-05817 Disaster Declaration: Pennsylvania, 15285 2021-05812 Seeking Exemption Under the Small Business Investment Act, Conflicts of Interest, 15285 2021-05891 State Department State Department NOTICES Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Career Connections Evaluation, 15285-15286 2021-05894 Transportation Department Transportation Department See Federal Aviation Administration See Federal Highway Administration Treasury Treasury Department See Comptroller of the Currency NOTICES Privacy Act;

Systems of Records, 15289-15296 2021-05889 Veteran Affairs Veterans Affairs Department NOTICES Meetings: Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation, 15296 2021-05895 Separate Parts In This Issue Part II Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 15298-15359 2021-05128 Part III Environmental Protection Agency, 15362-15396 2021-05137 Reader Aids Consult the Reader Aids section at the end of this issue for phone numbers, online resources, finding aids, and notice of recently enacted public laws.

To subscribe to the Federal Register Table of Contents electronic mailing list, go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USGPOOFR/subscriber/new, enter your e-mail address, then follow the instructions to join, leave, or manage your subscription. 86 53 Monday, March 22, 2021 Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 8 CFR Part 208 [Docket No: USCIS 2020-0013] RIN 1615-AC57 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Executive Office for Immigration Review 8 CFR Part 1208 [A.G. Order No. 5004-2021] RIN 1125-AB08 Security Bars and Processing;

Delay of Effective Date AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security; Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of Justice. ACTION: Interim final rule with request for comments. SUMMARY: On December 23, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) and the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) (collectively, “the Departments”) published a final rule (“Security Bars rule”) to clarify that the “danger to the security of the United States” standard in the statutory bar to eligibility for asylum and withholding of removal encompasses certain emergency public health concerns and to make certain other changes; that rule was scheduled to take effect on January 22, 2021.

As of January 21, 2021, the Departments delayed the rule's effective date for 60 days to March 22, 2021. In this rule, the Departments are further extending and delaying the rule's effective date to December 31, 2021. In addition, in light of evolving information regarding the best approaches to mitigating the spread of communicable disease, the Departments are also considering action to rescind or revise the Security Bars rule. The Departments are seeking public comment on whether that rule represents an effective way to protect public health while reducing barriers for noncitizens seeking forms of protection in the United States, or whether the Security Bars rule should be revised or revoked.

DATES: As of March 22, 2021, the effective date of the final rule published at 85 FR 84160 (Dec. 23, 2020), which was delayed by the rule published at 86 FR 6847 (Jan. 25, 2021), is further delayed by this interim final rule until December 31, 2021. *Submission of public comments:* Comments must be submitted on or before April 21, 2021. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by DHS Docket No. USCIS-2020-0013, by any one of the following methods: • *Federal eRulemaking Portal (strongly preferred): http://www.regulations.gov.* Follow the website instructions for submitting comments.

If you submit comments using the eRulemaking portal, please do not submit a duplicate written comment via postal mail. • *Mail:* If you wish to submit a paper comment in lieu of an electronic submission, please direct the mail/shipment to: Lauren Alder Reid, Assistant Director, Office of Policy, Executive Office for Immigration Review, 5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 1800, Falls Church, VA 22041. To ensure proper handling, please reference DHS Docket No. USCIS-2020-0013 in your correspondence.

Mail must be postmarked by the comment submission deadline. Please note that the Departments cannot accept any comments that are hand-delivered or couriered. In addition, the Departments cannot accept mailed comments contained on any form of digital media storage devices, such as CDs/DVDs and USB drives. If you submit a written comment via postal mail, please do not submit a duplicate comment using the eRulemaking portal. Comments submitted in a manner other than those listed above, including emails or letters sent to DHS or U.S.

Citizenship and Immigration Services officials, or DOJ or Executive Office for Immigration Review officials, will not be considered comments on this final rule and may not receive a response from the Departments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: *For USCIS:* Andrew Davidson, Asylum Division Chief, Refugee, Asylum and International Affairs Directorate, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS; telephone 240-721-3000 (not a toll-free call). *For EOIR:* Lauren Alder Reid, Assistant Director, Office of Policy, Executive Office for Immigration Review, telephone

(703)305-0289 (not a toll-free call). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Public Participation Interested persons are invited to submit comments on any aspect of this action, as well as a potential future rulemaking rescinding or amending the Security Bars rule, by submitting relevant written data, views, or arguments. To provide the most assistance to the Departments, comments should reference a specific portion of the rule; explain the reason for any recommendation; and include data, information, or authority that supports the recommended change or rescission. All comments submitted should include the agency name (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) and Docket No. USCIS 2020-0013. Please note that all comments received are considered part of the public record and made available for public inspection at *www.regulations.gov.* Such information includes personally identifiable information (such as a person's name, address, or any other data that might personally identify that individual) that the commenter voluntarily submits. You may wish to consider limiting the amount of personal information that you provide in any voluntary public comment submission that you make to DHS. DHS may withhold information provided in comments from public viewing if it determines that it may impact the privacy of an individual or is offensive. For additional information, please read the Privacy and Security Notice, which is available at *http://www.regulations.gov.* II. Background and Basis for Delay On December 23, 2020, the Departments published the Security Bars rule to amend existing regulations to clarify that in certain circumstances there are “reasonable grounds for regarding [an] alien as a danger to the security of the United States” or “reasonable grounds to believe that [an] alien is a danger to the security of the United States” based on emergency public health concerns generated by a communicable disease, making the alien ineligible to be granted asylum in the United States under section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act or the protection of withholding of removal under that Act or subsequent regulations (because of the threat of torture). *See* Security Bars and Processing, 85 FR 84160 *et seq.* (Dec. 23, 2020). The rule was scheduled to take effect on January 22, 2021. On January 20, 2021, the White House Chief of Staff issued a memorandum asking agencies to consider delaying, consistent with applicable law, the effective dates of any rules that have published and not yet gone into effect, for the purpose of allowing the President's appointees and designees to review questions of fact, law, and policy raised by those regulations. *See* Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies from Ronald A. Klain, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, *Re: Regulatory Freeze Pending Review* (Jan. 20, 2021). As of January 21, 2021, the Departments delayed the effective date of the Security Bars rule to March 22, 2021, consistent with that memorandum and a preliminary injunction in place with respect to a related rule, as discussed below. *See* Security Bars and Processing; Delay of Effective Date, 86 FR 6847 (Jan. 25, 2021). The Departments have good cause to delay this rule's effective date further without advance notice and comment because implementation of this rule is not feasible due to a preliminary injunction against a related rule. The provisions of the Security Bars rule are premised upon, and reliant upon, the revisions to the Departments' asylum rules previously made by a separate joint rule that became effective before the Security Bars rule was scheduled to take effect. The Departments issued the “Global Asylum” rule, entitled *Procedures for Asylum and Withholding of Removal; Credible Fear and Reasonable Fear Review,* on December 11, 2020. 1 On January 8, 2021, in the case of *Pangea Legal Services* v. *Department of Homeland Security,* a district court preliminarily enjoined the Departments “from implementing, enforcing, or applying the [Global Asylum final] rule . . . or any related policies or procedures.” 2 The preliminary injunction remains in place. 1 *See* 85 FR 80274 (Dec. 11, 2020). 2 Nos. 20-09253-JD & 20-09258-JD, 2021 WL 75756, at *7 (N.D. Cal. Jan. 8, 2021). The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California held that the plaintiffs, who had brought two related actions, had shown a likelihood that Chad F. Wolf, who approved the Global Asylum final rule in his capacity as Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, did not have valid authority to act in that capacity. *See id.* at *6. The District Court did not reach any other ground for issuing the injunction. *See id.* Following the court's ruling, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Peter T. Gaynor and Mr. Wolf took steps to ratify the Global Asylum final rule. *See* DHS Delegation No. 23028, Delegation to the Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans to Act on Final Rules, Regulations, and Other Matters (Jan. 12, 2021); Chad F. Wolf, Ratification (Jan. 14, 2021). By issuing this rule delaying the effective date of the Security Bars rule, the Departments are not indicating their position on Mr. Gaynor or Mr. Wolf's actions or authority, or on the outcome thus far in *Pangea.* As the Departments noted in their previous rule delaying the January 22, 2021, effective date for the Security Bars rule, because of the preliminary injunction in effect against implementation of the Global Asylum final rule, implementing the Security Bars rule is not viable at this time, as the two rules are intertwined. 3 Specifically, the Security Bars rule relies upon the regulatory framework for applying bars to asylum during credible fear processing that was established in the Global Asylum final rule. 4 The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

(NPRM)for the Security Bars rule, which was published on July 9, 2020, included proposed regulatory text instructing adjudicators to apply the bar during credible and reasonable fear screenings. 5 This proposal would have created an exception to the then-existing rule that the statutory bars to asylum and withholding of removal, including the “danger to the security of the United States” bars underlying the Security Bars rule, were not to be considered during the credible and reasonable fear screening processes. 6 The proposed rule justified this exception as necessary to allow DHS to quickly remove individuals covered by the bars, rather than sending them to full removal proceedings for adjudication of their asylum and withholding of removal claims, which can take months or even years. 7 The NPRM explained that applying the bars during credible fear and reasonable fear screenings was necessary to reduce health and safety dangers to both the public at large and DHS officials. 8 Indeed, applying these bars only after the affected individuals have been present in the United States for an extended period of time would do little, if anything, to prevent the spread of such diseases, significantly undercutting the justification for the Security Bars rule. 3 *See* 86 FR at 6847. 4 *See, e.g.,* 85 FR at 84176 (“As noted, the [Security Bars] final rule is not, as the NPRM proposed, modifying the regulatory framework to apply the danger to the security of the United States bars at the credible fear stage because, in the interim between the NPRM and the final rule, the [Global Asylum final rule] did so for all of the bars to eligibility for asylum and withholding of removal.”); *id.* at 84189 (describing changes made in the Security Bars rule “to certain regulatory provisions not addressed in the proposed rule as necessitated by the intervening promulgation of the [Global Asylum final] Rule”). 5 Security Bars and Processing, 85 FR 41201, 41216-2012;17, 41218 (July 9, 2020). 6 *See id.* at 41207. 7 *Id.* at 41210-12. 8 *Id.* at 41210. While DHS and DOJ were reviewing the comments submitted in response to the Security Bars NPRM, the Global Asylum final rule was published on December 11, 2020. 9 The Global Asylum final rule changed the general practice described above to apply all statutory bars to asylum and withholding of removal during credible and reasonable fear screenings. 10 The Security Bars final rule, which was published on December 23, 2020, therefore revised the proposed text explicitly to rely on the changes made by the Global Asylum final rule. 11 As a result, the regulatory text of significant portions of the Security Bars rule relies upon and repeats broader regulatory text that was established by the Global Asylum final rule, applying all bars to asylum and withholding of removal during credible and reasonable fear screenings. 12 The Security Bars final rule assumed that the Global Asylum rule would be in effect and therefore the Security Bars final rule did not change the credible fear and reasonable fear framework. 13 As a result, the overlap between the two rules now has created a situation in which the Departments would risk violating the injunction against the Global Asylum final rule if they were to implement the identical portions of the Security Bars final rule, and the Departments could not implement the narrower change to the credible fear and reasonable fear framework proposed in the Security Bars NPRM without additional rulemaking. 9 85 FR 80274 (Dec. 11, 2020). 10 *Id.* at 80391. 11 85 FR 84160, 84174-77. 12 *See, e.g., id.* at 84194-98 (revising 8 CFR 208.30, 235.6, 1208.30, and 1235.6, among other provisions) *accord* 85 FR at 80390-80401 (same). 13 *See id.* at 84175 (“The Departments note that the final rule is not, as the NPRM proposed, modifying the regulatory framework to apply the danger to the security of the United States bars at the credible fear stage. In the interim between the NPRM and the final rule, the Global Asylum Final Rule did so for all of the bars to eligibility for asylum and withholding of removal.”). Moreover, the framework established by the Global Asylum final rule is critical to the justification for the Security Bars rule, because it would permit the Departments to remove individuals who are subject to the bars expeditiously. On the other hand, if the Departments were to implement only the remaining portions of the Security Bars rule that do not overlap with the enjoined Global Asylum final rule, the result would be the very situation that the Security Bars rule was created to remedy—namely, that possibly infectious individuals would be detained or released inside the United States, potentially for a lengthy period, while awaiting their removal hearings. 14 Such an outcome would frustrate the purpose of the Security Bars rule. 14 Specifically, the Security Bars rule's regulatory provisions at §§ 208.13(c)(10), 208.16(d)(2), 1208.13(c)(10), and 1208.16(d)(2) clarify that the “danger to the security of the United States” statutory bars to eligibility for asylum and withholding of removal may encompass emergency public health concerns, and do not overlap with the enjoined Global Asylum final rule. By contrast, the provisions at § 208.30(e)(5) restate and amend provisions newly adopted in the Global Asylum final rule that have been enjoined. These latter provisions would require an asylum officer to enter a negative credible fear of persecution determination with respect to an arriving alien's eligibility for asylum, allowing most aliens to whom the danger to security bar applies to be quickly removed under an order of expedited removal. While the Departments could implement the danger to security bars to asylum and withholding of removal determinations without running afoul of the injunction of the Global Asylum final rule, they could only do so after the individual has moved past the credible fear stage of the process and has been placed into removal proceedings before an immigration judge under section 240 of the Act. The individual would need to be either detained in a congregate setting or released inside the United States while awaiting his or her removal proceeding. This is the very situation that the Security Bars rule intended to avoid. Additionally, to implement the full Security Bars rule—and effectively reinsert or rely upon regulatory provisions that the *Pangea* court has enjoined—might run afoul of the court's injunction. Because it is impracticable and unnecessary to engage in notice and comment procedures in the limited time available while the Departments are subject to the court's injunction, the Departments are publishing this interim final rule to extend and delay the Security Bars rule's effective date until December 31, 2021. Additionally, in light of the complex relationship between the Global Asylum final rule and the Security Bars rule and the implications of the *Pangea* litigation to the Security Bars rule, the Departments need additional time to analyze the consequences of the overlapping and embedded text and consider whether policy changes are advisable and viable in light of the litigation. If the injunction against implementation of the Global Asylum rule is lifted before December 31, the Departments will revise the effective date of the Security Bars rule as soon as possible thereafter. Similarly, if the injunction remains in effect on December 31, the Departments may delay the effective date of the Security Bars rule further. The Departments have chosen this time-limited delay, rather than an indefinite delay, due to the preliminary nature of the injunction. III. Request for Comment on Amending or Rescinding the Security Bars Rule The Departments are further considering amending or rescinding the Security Bars rule. In particular, the Departments are considering whether to publish a new rule that would remove or revise the regulatory changes promulgated in the Security Bars rule. In connection with that consideration, the Departments welcome data, views, and information on the best approaches for mitigating the spread of communicable disease in the operational context implicated by the Security Bars rule. The Departments are interested in information the public may have on more effective alternative approaches than that taken by the Security Bars rule, particularly in light of new or more comprehensive data. The Departments are also reviewing the Security Bars rule in light of the Administration's policy of expanding pathways for noncitizens seeking forms of protection in the United States and removing barriers that impede access to immigration benefits, and are seeking comment on alternative approaches that may achieve the best public health outcome while remaining more consistent with that policy goal. 15 Finally, the Departments welcome comment on the portions of the Global Asylum final rule that establish the framework for applying bars to asylum during credible fear processing, insofar as such comment is relevant to potential removal of or revisions to the Security Bars rule. 15 *See, e.g.,* Executive Order 14010 of February 2, 2021, Creating a Comprehensive Regional Framework to Address the Causes of Migration, to Manage Migration Throughout North and Central America, and to Provide Safe and Orderly Processing of Asylum Seekers at the United States Border, 86 FR 8267 (Feb. 5, 2021); Executive Order 14012 of February 2, 2021, Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans, 86 FR 8277 (Feb. 5, 2021). IV. Regulatory Requirements A. Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563 Executive Orders (E.O.) 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review), and 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review) direct agencies to assess the costs, benefits, and transfers of available alternatives, and if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits, including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity. E.O. 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. Pursuant to E.O. 12866, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget determined that this rule is “significant” under E.O. 12866 and has reviewed this regulation. B. Regulatory Flexibility Act The Departments have reviewed this rule in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 *et seq.,* and have determined that this rule further delaying the effective date of the Security Bars rule (85 FR 84160) will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Neither the final Security Bars rule, nor this rule delaying its effective date, regulate “small entities” as that term is defined in 5 U.S.C. 601(6). Only individuals, rather than entities, are eligible to apply for asylum and related forms of relief, and only individuals are placed in immigration proceedings. C. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year, and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions are deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. D. Congressional Review Act This rule is not a major rule as defined by section 804 of the Congressional Review Act (“CRA”). 5 U.S.C. 804. This rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign based enterprises in domestic and export markets. The Departments have complied with the CRA's reporting requirements and have sent this final rule to Congress and to the Comptroller General as required by 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1). E. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism) This rule will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with section 6 of E.O. 13132, the Departments believe that this rule will not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. F. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform) This rule meets the applicable standards set forth in section 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988. G. Paperwork Reduction Act This rule does not create new, or revisions to existing, “collection[s] of information” as that term is defined under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320. H. Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments) This rule does not have “tribal implications” because it does not have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes. Accordingly, E.O. 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments), requires no further agency action or analysis. Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Dated: March 17, 2021. Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General, Department of Justice. [FR Doc. 2021-05931 Filed 3-19-21; 8:45 am]

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