[Federal Register: May 30, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 104)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 32359-32360]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30my03-9]                         

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

22 CFR Part 41

[Public Notice 4378]
RIN 1400-AB53

 
Documentation of Nonimmigrants Under the Immigration and 
Nationality Act, as Amended--Additional International Organization

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This rule implements regulations relating to the visa status 
of personnel of INTELSAT after privatization of that organization. This 
rule makes final the interim rule, which added INTELSAT (following 
privatization) to the regulatory definition of ``international 
organization'', but only for purposes of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act. The rule also clarifies the status of the organization 
and the personnel affected.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective May 30, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth J. Harper, Legislation and 
Regulations Division, Visa Services, Department of State, Washington, 
DC 20520-0106, (202) 663-1221, e-mail harperbj@state.gov, or fax at 
(202) 663-3898.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

What Is the Background of This Rule?

    Section 301 of Public Law 106-396 (47 U.S.C. 763, Oct. 30, 2000) 
permits certain aliens who were officers or employees of INTELSAT 
before its privatization and who obtained and had maintained the status 
of ``international organization alien'' under the terms of section 
101(a)(15)(G) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) for the 
requisite period to continue to be eligible for such classification as 
long as they are officers or employees of INTELSAT or any successor or 
separated entity of INTELSAT. It also provides that, despite its 
privatization,

[[Page 32360]]

INTELSAT or any successor or separated entity will continue to qualify 
as an ``international organization'' for purposes of the special 
immigrant provision of INA 101(a)(27)(I), relating to certain 
international organization aliens and family members.
    On January 11, 2002, the Department published an interim rule to 
implement these new provisions, and on April 17, 2002, the Department 
published a second interim rule to revise the interim regulation to 
further clarify the status of privatized INTELSAT and the personnel 
affected. As made clear in the second interim rule, Public Law 106-396 
confers the status of international organization on privatized INTELSAT 
only in connection with the special immigrant provision in INA section 
101(a)(27)(I). It also allows certain officers and employees of 
privatized INTELSAT to retain their G-4 status despite the fact that 
INTELSAT, once privatized, no longer meets the definition of 
international organization for purposes of visa classification under 
INA 101(a)(15)(G). Additionally, as the second interim rule clarified, 
Public Law 106-396 does not provide for G-5 status for servants of 
privatized INTELSAT officers and employees.

Were Comments Solicited on This Rule?

    The Department solicited comments to be received no later than June 
17, 2002. No comments were received.

Final Rule

0
The Department's interim rule published on April 17, 2002 [67 FR 18821] 
provided all the amendments to 22 CFR 41.24. Since there are no further 
amendments necessary to the Department's interim rule, the Department 
does not feel it necessary to republish the text of the interim. The 
interim rule is therefore being incorporated herein as a final rule.

    Dated: May 6, 2003.
Maura Harty,
Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 03-13553 Filed 5-29-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4710-06-P