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DHS/USCIS RIN: 1615-AA16 Publication ID: Fall 2008 
Title: Special Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Religious Workers 
Abstract: This rule amends DHS regulations regarding the special immigrant and nonimmigrant religious worker visa classifications. This rule addresses concerns about the integrity of the religious worker program by proposing a petition requirement for religious organizations seeking to classify an alien as an immigrant or nonimmigrant religious worker. This rule also proposes including an on-site inspection for religious organizations to ensure the legitimacy of petitioner organizations and employment offers made by such organizations. This rule would also clarify several substantive and procedural issues that have arisen since the religious worker category was created. This rule proposes new definitions that describe more clearly the regulatory requirements, as well as add specific evidentiary requirements for petitioning employers and prospective religious workers. Finally, this rule also proposes to amend how regulations reference the sunset date, the statutory deadline by which special immigrant religious workers, other than ministers, must immigrate or adjust status to permanent residence, so that regular updates to the regulations are not required each time Congress extends the sunset date. 
Agency: Department of Homeland Security(DHS)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 8 CFR 204   
Legal Authority: 8 USC 1101    8 USC 1103    8 USC 1151    8 USC 1153 and 1154    8 USC 1182    8 USC 1186a    8 USC 1255   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM (CIS No. 1436-94)  04/25/2007  72 FR 20442   
NPRM Comment Period End  06/25/2007    
NPRM Comment Period Extended  11/01/2007  72 FR 61821   
NPRM Comment Period End  11/16/2007    
Final Rule  11/00/2008    
Additional Information: CIS No. 1436-94 Transferred from RIN 1115-AF12
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Information URL: www.regulations.gov  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Sophia Cox
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
20 Massachusetts Avenue NW., 2nd Floor,
Washington, DC 20529
Phone:202 272-1522
Email: sophia.cox@dhs.gov