[Federal Register: June 18, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 117)] [Notices] [Page 32890-32892] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr18jn99-87] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Immigration and Naturalization Service [INS No. 1961-98] Important Announcement for Class Members of American Baptist Churches v. Thornburgh (ABC) Regarding Change of Address Notification AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice. ACTION: Notice Regarding Change of Address Notifications for ABC Class Members. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice informs class members of American Baptist Churches v. Thornburgh, 760 F. Supp. 796 (N.D. Cal. 1991) (ABC) of a change in procedures for notifying the Immigration and Naturalization Service (Service) of an address change. It requests ABC class members to submit change of address notifications directly to the Asylum Offices that have jurisdiction over their asylum applications, rather than to the ABC Project Post Office Box in Washington, DC. This action will allow the Service to expedite action in response to a change in address and will be more convenient for the Service and ABC class members. However, the Service will continue to process change of address notifications sent to the ABC Project Post Office Box to ensure that Service records are updated for those class members who are unaware of this change in procedure. DATES: This notice is effective June 18, 1999. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joanna Ruppel, International Affairs, Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I Street NW, ULLICO Bldg., third floor, Washington, DC 20536, telephone number (202) 305-2663. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Why Is the Service Requesting That Address Notifications No Longer Be Sent to the ABC Post Office Box? The ABC Project Post Office Box in Washington, DC, has provided a centralized location for ABC class members to submit change of address forms. This was necessary in the past [[Page 32891]] because not all ABC class members who were eligible to seek benefits of the settlement agreement had applied for asylum or any other benefit with the Service. However, the deadlines by which ABC class members were required to apply for asylum in order to retain benefits of the settlement agreement have now passed. Guatemalan class members were required to apply for asylum on or before January 3, 1995. Salvadoran class members were required to apply for asylum on or before January 31, 1996 (with an administrative grace period to February 16, 1996). Because all ABC class members who are eligible for benefits of the settlement agreement have applied for asylum, a centralized location for change of address notification by ABC class members is no longer necessary or efficient. Currently, the Service Office of International Affairs, based in Washington, DC, receives change of address notifications submitted to the ABC Project Post Office Box. The Office of International Affairs enters the change of address in the computer system when there is sufficient information in the notice to identify the correct record and make the change, or when necessary, asks the sender for additional information. The Office of International Affairs then forwards the notification to the appropriate Asylum Office for filing with the applicant's records. Many of the change of address notifications sent to the ABC Project Post Office Box are duplicates of notifications that ABC class members or their representatives have sent directly to the appropriate Asylum Offices, which have already updated the address in the computer system, thus creating duplicative efforts. Additionally, the Asylum Offices, which maintain the asylum application files, are in the best position to seek additional information or clarification from an applicant who submits a change of address notification that may require further action. For example, the Asylum Office may need to request or transfer the file when an applicant has moved to another jurisdiction. The unnecessary and additional step of first processing the change of address notification in Washington, DC, before it is sent to the appropriate Asylum Office delays such action. For these reasons, the Service believes that submission of change of address notifications directly to the Asylum Office that has jurisdiction over the asylum application will enhance efficiency, expedite action that needs to be taken in response to the address change, and generally be more convenient for both the Service and ABC class members. How Should ABC Class Members Notify the Service of a Change of Address? As it requires for all aliens within the United States, Section 265 of the Immigration and Nationality Act requires ABC class members to notify the Service within 10 days of any change of address. The change of address notification required from ABC class members should be sent to the Asylum Office that has jurisdiction over the class member's asylum application. Notification may be made on the Form I-855, ABC Change of Address Form, or a plain piece of paper containing the information requested in the Form I-855. The Form I-855 requests the class member's full printed name, date of birth, nationality, Alien Registration Number (A-Number), and the class member's previous address. The information should be clearly printed. Alternatively, ABC class members may use a Form AR-11 to notify the Service of a change of address and may send the form to the address specified on the card or to the Asylum Office that has jurisdiction over the class member's asylum application. The Form I-855, Change of Address Form, directs individuals to send the completed form to the ABC Project Post Office Box. The form is being amended to instruct that the form be sent to the Asylum Office that has jurisdiction over the class member's asylum application, rather than to the ABC Project Post Office Box. Individuals who continue to use old copies of the Form I-855 should disregard the instruction to sent the notice to the ABC Project Post Office Box and should instead sent the form to the Asylum Office that has jurisdiction over the asylum application. It is important that a class member notify the Service of address changes to ensure that the class member receives notice to his or her asylum interview. An ABC class member may lose the right to an ABC asylum interview, and the Service may deny his or her asylum application if the class member fails to appear for an interview and that failure to appear has not been excused for good cause. What Will Happen to Change of Address Notifications That Are Sent to the ABC Project Post Office Box? The Service will continue to process change of address notification sent to the ABC Project Post Office Box. However, for expediency and efficiency, the Service strongly encourages each ABC class member to send any change of address notification directly to the Asylum Office that has jurisdiction over the class member's asylum application. Dated: May 28, 1999. Doris Meissner, Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service. BILLING CODE 4410-10-M [[Page 32892]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN18JN99.000 [FR Doc. 99-15523 Filed 6-17-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410-10-C