Employment Authorization for Ethiopian F–1 Nonimmigrant Students Experiencing Severe Economic Hardship as a Direct Result of the Current Crisis in Ethiopia

Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 237 / Monday, December 12, 2022

"This notice announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is suspending certain regulatory requirements for F–1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Ethiopia, regardless of country of birth (or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ethiopia), and who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current crisis in Ethiopia. The Secretary is taking action to provide relief to these Ethiopian students who are lawful F–1 nonimmigrant students so the students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F–1 nonimmigrant student status. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will deem an F–1 nonimmigrant student granted employment authorization by means of this notice to be engaged in a ‘‘full course of study’’ for the duration of the employment authorization, if the nonimmigrant student satisfies the minimum course load requirement described in this notice. DATES: This notice is effective December 12, 2022, through Wednesday June 12, 2024."