Cite as "Posted on AILA InfoNet at Doc. No. 02102235
(Oct. 22, 2002) ."
(67 FR 64911, 10/22/02).
[Federal Register: October 22, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 204)]
[Notices]
[Page 64911-64912]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22oc02-87]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Immigration and Naturalization Service
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
ACTION: Request Emergency Approval; Application for Asylum
and for
Withholding of Removal, From I-589.
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The Department of Justice (the Department), Immigration
and
Naturalization Service has submitted an information collection request
(ICR) utilizing emergency review procedures to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with section
1320.13(a)(1)(ii) and (a)(2)(iii) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995. The INS has determined that it cannot reasonably comply with the
normal clearance procedures are reasonably likely to prevent or disrupt
the collection of information. The INS is requesting emergency review
from OMB of this information collection to ensure compliance with the
Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 (Border
Security Act) (Pub. L. 107-173 (May 14, 2002)).
The INS seeks permission to use the Form I-589 to serve as an
alternate application for evidence of employment authorization for
individuals granted asylum, eliminating their need to file a separate
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (OMB No. 1115-
0163) with the INS if, after being granted asylum, they wish to receive
an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) containing both evidence
of
employment authorization and identity. The Form I-589 collects the same
[[Page 64912]]
biographic information as that collected by the Form I-765.
In those
cases where asylum is granted, the biographic information contained
on
the I-589 could also be used to generate the employment authorization
document. While dual-use has advantages for both the government and
the
public with respect to streamlining information collections, passage
of
the Border Security Act has increased the necessity of developing such
a process. Section 309 of the Border Security Act requires the Attorney
General to begin issuing an employment authorization document (EAD)
with a photo and fingerprint to asylees ``immediately'' upon the grant
of asylum. Such procedures must be in place as November 10, 2002. Due
to the passage of the Border Security Act the question of how to
process asylee employment authorization documents became even more
critical. The INS and the Department now seek emergency OMB approval
for the dual use of the Form I-589 to enable the INS to comply with
the
Border Security Act implementation date of November 10, 2002, as
discussed above.
For the aforementioned reasons, the INS is requesting emergency OMB
review and approval of this information collection request by October
24, 2002. If granted, the emergency approval is only valid for 180
days. ALL comments and/or questions pertaining to this pending request
for emergency approval must be directed to OMB, Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Department of Justice Desk Officer,
725-17th Street, NW., Suite 10102, Washington, DC 20503. Comments
regarding the emergency submission of this information collection may
also be submitted via facsimile to (202) 395-6974.
During the first 60 days of this same period, a regular review of
this information collection is also being undertaken. During the
regular review period, the INS requests written comments an suggestions
from the public and affected agencies concerning this information
collection. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until December
23, 2002. During the 60-day regular review, ALL comments and
suggestions or questions regarding additional information, to include
obtaining a copy of the information collection instrument with
instructions, should be directed to Mr. Richard A. Sloan, (202) 514-
3291, Director, Regulations and Forms Services Division, Immigration
and Naturalization Service, U.S. Department of Justice, Room 4034, 425
I Street, NW., Washington, DC 20536. Written comments and suggestions
from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed
collection of information should address one or more of the following
four points:
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques
or
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses.
Overview of this information collection:
(1) Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently
approved collection.
(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Application for Asylum and
Withholding of Removal.
(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the
Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form I-589. Office
of
International Affairs, Immigration and Naturalization Service.
(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as
will as a brief abstract: Primary: Individuals or Households. This
information collection will be used to determine whether an alien
applying for asylum and/or withholding of deportation in the United
States is classifiable as a refugee, and is eligible to remain in the
United States.
(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount
of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 78,000
responses at 12 hours per response.
(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated
with the collection: 936,000 annual burden hours.
If you have additional comments, suggestions, or need a copy of the
proposed information collection instrument with instructions, or
additional information, please contact Richard A. Sloan (202) 514-3291,
Director, Regulations and Forms Services Division, Immigration and
Naturalization Service, U.S. Department of Justice, Room 4034, 425 I
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20536. Additionally, comments and/or
suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice, especially
regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time may
also be directed to Mr. Richard A. Sloan.
If additional information is required contact: Mr. Robert B.
Briggs, Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice,
Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division,
601 D Street, NW., Patrick Henry Building, Suite 1600, Washington, DC
20530.
Dated: October 17, 2002.
Richard A. Sloan,
Department Clearance Officer, Department of Justice, Immigration and
Naturalization Service.
[FR Doc. 02-26866 Filed 10-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-10-M
(10/26/2002)
