[Federal Register: August 4, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 149)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 41478] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr04au98-22] [[Page 41478]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Immigration and Naturalization Service 8 CFR Part 208 [INS No. 1865-97; AG No. 2164-98] RIN 1115-AE93 Executive Office for Immigration Review; New Rules Regarding Procedures for Asylum and Withholding of Removal AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Justice. ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: On June 11, 1998, at 63 FR 31945, the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Executive Office for Immigration Review proposed amendments to the Department of Justice regulations governing asylum and withholding of removal. The amendments are intended to establish new guidelines regarding cases where the applicant has establish past persecution or where the applicant may be able to avoid persecution in his or her home country by relocating to another area of that country. The proposed rule also provides further clarification regarding the exercise of discretion by the Attorney General in cases where past persecution is established and about the considerations relevant to whether an applicant has a well-founded fear of future persecution. The proposed rule makes similar changes to regulations governing withholding of deportation. The rule also identifies new factors that may be considered in the exercise of discretion in asylum cases where the applicant has established past persecution but may not have a well-founded fear of future persecution. The rule further provides that the asylum and withholding standards require a showing that a risk of harm exists throughout the country in question. This notice changes the deadline for submitting public comments from July 13, 1998, to September 11, 1998. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 11, 1998. ADDRESSES: Please submit written comments, in triplicate, to the Director, Policy Directives and Instructions Branch, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I Street, NW., Room 5307, Washington, DC 20536. To ensure proper handling, please reference INS number 1865-97 on your correspondence. Comments are available for public inspection at the above-noted address by calling (202) 514-3048 to arrange an appointment. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine Davidson, Senior Policy Analyst, Asylum Division, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I Street, NW, Washington DC 20536, Attn. ULLICO Bldg, 3rd Floor, telephone (202) 305-2663; Margaret M. Philbin, General Counsel, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Suite 2400, 5107 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia 22041, telephone (703) 305-0470. Dated: July 27, 1998. Doris Meissner, Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service. [FR Doc. 98-20666 Filed 8-3-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410-10-M