This interim rule will not have substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between the National Government and the states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with section 6 of Executive Order 13132, it is determined that this interim rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement.

G. Executive Order 12988 Civil Justice Reform

    This interim rule meets the applicable standards set forth in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.

H. Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, all Departments are required to submit to OMB, for review and approval, any reporting and recordkeeping requirements inherent in a rule. This interim rule does not impose any new reporting or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act. As previously stated under Executive Order 12866, the Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker (OMB 1615-0009), has recently been revised to include the H-1B Data Collection and Filing Fee Exe mption supplement to comport with the provisions of the OAA. These revisions include amendments to the H-1B Data Collection and Filing Fee Exemption Supplement to capture information about the beneficiary's level of education and whether the degrees were earned from a U.S. institution of higher education; to assist U.S. employers in assessing whether they are subject to the new $1,500 (or $750) ACWIA and $500 Fraud Detection and Prevention fees; and to assist U.S. employers in assessing whether they are eli gible for the numerical limit exemptions provided under section 214(g)(5) of the INA. OMB has approved the revised Form I-129 for official use by the public (OMB Control Number 1615-0009); however, USCIS will continue to accept the prior paper editions of Form I-129 until May 30, 2005. In addition, by increasing the number of Forms I-129 and Forms I-907 being submitted as a result of the OAA, USCIS has submitted to OMB for emergency clearance the Paperwork Reduction Change Worksheet (OMB-83C) increasing the total annual burden hours. Further, USCIS has submitted to OMB for emergency clearance Paperwork Reduction Act Submission (OMB 83-I) to permit USCIS to concurrent use of the Form I-129 (edition date 3-17-05, OMB 1615-0009 and the old Form I-129 (edition date 12-10-01, OMB 1115-0168, OMB 1615-0093) until May 30, 2005. Due to this temporary information collection, USCIS submitted the OMB 83-I to formally request that OMB adjust the burden hours for the use of the 12-10-01 version of the Form I-129. The publi c should reference the Federal Register notice contained at 70 FR 20590 (Apr. 20, 2005) for information about this collection. Please note however that USCIS hereby extends the deadline for comments solicited in that notice until May 30, 2005.

List of Subjects in 8 CFR Part 214

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Employment, Foreign officials, Health professions, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Students.

Accordingly, chapter I of title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 214--NONIMMIGRANT CLASSES

1. The authority citation for part 214 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1102, 1103, 1182, 1184, 1185 (pursuant to E.O. 13323, 69 FR 241, 3 CFR, 2003 Comp., p. 278), 1186a, 1187, 1221, 1281, 1282, 1301-1305, 1372, 1379, 1731-32; section 643, Pub. L. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009-708; section 141 of the Compacts of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and with the Government of Palau, 48 U.S.C. 1901 note, and 1931 note, respectively, 8 CFR part 2.

2. Section 214.2 is amended by

(a)     Revising (h)(2)(i)(A);

(b)     Revising (h)(8)(ii)(B);

(c)     Removing (h)(8)(ii)(C) and redesignating (h)(8)(ii)(D) through (F) respectively as (h)(8)(ii)(C) through (E);

(d)     Revising the last sentence of newly designated

(h)(8)(ii)(C) to read as follows:

§ 214.2 Special requirements for admission, extension, and maintenance of status.

* * * * *

    (h) * * *

    (2) * * *

    (i) * * *

    (A) General . A United States employer seeking to classify an alien as an H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, or H-3, temporary employee shall file a petition on Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, only with the USCIS Service Center which has jurisdiction in the area where the alien will perform services, or receive training, even in emergent situations, except as provided in this section or as specifically designated by USCIS via notice in the Federal Register .

* * * * *

    (8) * * *

    (ii) * * *

    (B) When calculating the numerical limitations for a given fiscal year, USCIS will make numbers available to petitions in the order in which the petitions are filed. USCIS will make projections of the number of petitions necessary to achieve the numerical limit of approvals, taking into account historical data related to approvals, denials, revocations, and other relevant factors. USCIS will monitor the number of petitions (including the number of beneficiaries requested when necessary) received and will no tify the public of the date that USCIS has received the necessary number of petitions (the “final receipt date”). The date of publication will not control the final receipt date. When necessary to ensure the fair and orderly allocation of numbers in a particular classification subject to numerical limits, USCIS may randomly select from among the petitions received on the final receipt date the remaining number of petitions deemed necessary to generate the numerical limit of approvals. This random selection will be made via computer-generated selection as validated by the Office of Immigration Statistics. Petitions not randomly selected, and petitions received after the final receipt date, will be rejected. If the final receipt date is the same as the first date on which petitions subject to the applicable cap may be filed (i.e., if the cap is reached on the first day filings can be made), USCIS will randomly apply all of the numbers among the petitions filed on the final receipt date and the following day.

    (C) * * * The petition shall be revoked pursuant to paragraph (h)(11)(ii) of this section and USCIS will take into account the unused number during the appropriate fiscal year.

* * * * *

May 2, 2005                 Signed

________________         ____________________

Dated:                 Michael Chertoff,

Secretary .