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DHS/USCIS RIN: 1615-AB14 Publication ID: Spring 2011 
Title: Classification of Certain Scientists of the Commonwealth of Independent States of the Former Soviet Union and the Baltic States as Employment-Based Immigrants 
Abstract: The Soviet Scientists Immigration Act of 1992 (SSIA) provided for 750 visas to be provided to eligible scientists and engineers from the former Soviet Union. This program expired on October 24, 1996. Recent legislation extended the eligibility deadline for filing under the SSIA to September 30, 2006, and raised the numerical limit on these visas from 750 to 950. It also required DHS to consult with the Department of State and other agencies regarding previous experiences with the program and their recommendations for making the program more effective. This rule improves administration of the program by requiring each applicant to submit a statement signed by the State Department's Bureau of Nonproliferation (Bureau) regarding his or her qualifications. Because the Bureau has been in close contact with this group of scientists and the organizations that have employed them for a number of years, the Bureau is in a better position than DHS to assess the individual applicant's qualifications. Accordingly, this signed statement will be submitted for the evidence of qualifications previously required under the program. 
Agency: Department of Homeland Security(DHS)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
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 1103    8 USC 1151    8 USC 1153 and 1154   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Interim Final Rule  04/25/2005  70 FR 21129   
Interim Final Rule Effective  05/25/2005    
Interim Final Rule Comment Period End  06/24/2005    
Final Action  06/00/2011    
Additional Information: CIS No. 2277-03; Rule is being adopted as a Final Rule in RIN 1615-AB83
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   Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Dan Konnerth
Policy and Coordination Chief, Office of Transformation Coordination
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
6th Floor, 633 Third Street NW.,
Washington, DC 20529
Phone:202 233-2381
Email: dan.m.konnerth@uscis.dhs.gov