[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 66 (Thursday, April 4, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15118-15119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8192]



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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[AAG/A Order No. 117-96]


Privacy Act of 1974; Modified System of Records

    Pursuant to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 
552a), notice is given that the Department of Justice proposes to 
modify a system of records. Specifically:
    The ``Priority Automated Commuter Entry System (PACES), Justice/
INS-017'' (last published on June 11, 1991 (56 FR 26836)) has been 
retitled: The ``Global Enrollment System (GES), Justice/INS-017.''
    The PACES system is being retitled to more accurately reflect the 
scope of the system. PACES was established to support an innovative, 
voluntary program designed to reduce inspection delays at selected land 
border ports of entry by establishing dedicated commuter lanes (DCL's) 
for an identified group of low-risk frequent border crossers who has 
been pre-screened and pre-authorized to enter the United States through 
Canada and Mexico. Under the program, this low-risk group would be 
identified by an appropriate decal on the vehicle; they would be 
required to reapply each year; and the information would be used to 
adjudicate applications and to track approvals and denials. INS is now 
modifying the PACES system to (1) add some form of automated inspection 
at certain border crossing sites; and (2) include biometric data in its 
automated database(s) in order to accomplish the automated inspection.
    Specifically, INS is adding the use of electronic inspections to 
identify those individuals and vehicles using selected DCL's. A 
transponder will be attached to the vehicle which will be read by an 
electronic antenna on the dedicated commuter lanes. The information 
received will be matched against personal identifying data, including 
biometric data, in an INS automated database to verify the eligibility 
of the individual(s) to use these lanes.
    Further, INS will now include some form of automated inspection at 
other land border ports of entry and at airports. Similarly, these 
inspections may also include methods which will permit the automated 
comparison of personal data provided by the individual, including 
biometric data, against an INS automated database to determine their 
eligibility to enter the United States.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which has oversight 
responsibilities under the Privacy Act, requires a 40-day period in 
which to conclude its review of this proposal. OMB, the Congress, and 
the public are invited to send written comments to Patricia E. Neely, 
Program Analyst, Information Management and Security Staff, Justice 
Management Division, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20530 (Room 
850, WCTR Building).
    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(r), the Department has provided a 
report to OMB and the Congress on the proposed modification.

    Dated: March 21, 1996.
Stephen R. Colgate,
Assistant Attorney General for Administration.
JUSTICE/INS-017
SYSTEM NAME:
    Global Enrollment System (GES)
SYSTEM LOCATION:
    Land border ports of entry and airports inspection facilities under 
the District Offices of the Immigration and Naturalization Service 
(INS) in the United States as detailed in JUSTICE/INS-999.
Categories of individuals covered by the system:
    United States citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United 
States as determined eligible by the Commissioner of the INS who apply 
to use any form of automated or other expedited inspection for 
verifying eligibility to cross the borders into the United States.
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
    The system will contain application data such as full name, place 
and date of birth, sex, addresses, telephone numbers, country of 
citizenship, alien registration number (if applicable), biometric data, 
driver's license number and issuing state or province, the make, model, 
color, year, license number and license issuing state or province of 
the applicant's vehicle, the name and address of the vehicle's 
registered owner if different from the applicant, and the amount of fee 
paid. The application will also include such information as the 
frequency of border crossings, and the most frequent reason for 
crossing the border, together with an indication from the individuals 
as to whether he or she has been convicted of any violations of law. In 
addition, the file may contain a brief notation indicating that (1) 
through an independent check of other law enforcement agency systems, 
INS determined that the applicant had been convicted of a specific 
violation(s) of law (a finding which could prompt denial of the 
application) or (2) through a random border inspection, INS identified 
a specific violation(s) of law which provided cause to remove the 
individual from the program. Finally, the file will contain letters to 
the applicants indicating the disposition of their applications.
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
    8 U.S.C. 1101, 1103, 1201, 1304, and 1356 (Pub. L. No. 101-515 103-
121, 103-217).
PURPOSE OF THE SYSTEM:
    Information in this system is used to adjudicate applications to 
enter the United States by any available form of automated or other 
expedited inspection, including that offered to travelers arriving in 
the United States via dedicated commuter lanes, to pedestrians and 
vehicles arriving at remote ports of entry, to pedestrians and vehicles 
arriving at other land borders, and to air travelers. Alternative 
methods of inspection have been established to reduce delays by 
allowing low-risk frequent border crossers, who have been pre-screened 
and pre-authorized, to enter the United States subject only to some 
form of automated inspection and random border inspections.

[[Page 15119]]

ROUTINE USERS OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES 
OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
    Relevant information contained in this system of records may be 
disclosed to the following:
    A. To Federal, State, and local government agencies, foreign 
governments, individuals, and organizations during the course of 
investigation in the processing of a matter or a proceeding within the 
purview of the immigration and nationality laws, to elicit information 
required by the INS to carry out its functions and statutory mandates.
    B. Where there is an indication of a violation or potential 
violation of law (whether civil, criminal or regulatory in nature), to 
the appropriate agency (whether Federal, State, local or foreign), 
charged with the responsibility of investigating or prosecuting such 
violations or charged with enforcing or implementing the statute, rule, 
regulation or order issued pursuant thereto.
    C. Where there is an indication of a violation or potential 
violation of the law of another nation (whether civil, criminal or 
regulatory in nature), to the appropriate foreign government agency 
charged with the responsibility of investigating or prosecuting such 
violations or with enforcing or implementing such laws, and to 
international organizations engaged in the collection and dissemination 
of intelligence concerning criminal activity.
    D. To a Member of Congress or staff acting upon the Member's behalf 
when the Member or staff requests the information on behalf of and at 
the request of the individual who is the subject of the record.
    E. To the General Services Administration and the National Archives 
and Records Administration in records management inspections conducted 
under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, 
AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
STORAGE:
    These records are stored in manila folders and on hard disk and 
diskette.
RETRIEVABILITY:
    These records are retrieved by name, address, and/or vehicle 
license number.
SAFEGUARDS:
    INS offices are located in building under guard and access to the 
premises is by official identification. Personal computers are accessed 
by user identification and password levels to assure that accessibility 
is limited to persons having a need-to-know. Similarly, paper records 
are protected from unauthorized access in locked files.
RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
    (a) Destroy all records three years after the dedicated commuter 
lane permit expires or three years after the denial of an application 
or removal of an individual from the program. (b) Litigation records 
will be destroyed three years after resolution or court decision. At 
the end of the three years, automated records will be erased, and paper 
records will be destroyed by shredding.
SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:
    Assistant Commissioner, Inspections, 425 I Street, NW, Washington, 
DC 20536.
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
    Address your inquiries to the Port Director (if known) or to the 
system manager identified above.
RECORDS ACCESS PROCEDURES:
    Make all requests for access in writing to the Freedom of 
Information Act/Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) Officer at the nearest INS 
Office, or in the INS office maintaining the desired records (if known) 
by using the List of JUSTICE/INS-999, published in the Federal 
Register. Clearly mark the envelope and letter ``Privacy Act Request.'' 
Provide the A-file number and/or the full name and date of birth, with 
a notarized signature of the individual who is the subject of the 
records, and a return address.
CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURE:
    Direct all requests to contest or amend information in the record 
to the FOIA/PA Officer at one of the addresses identified above. State 
clearly and concisely the information being contested, the reason for 
contesting it, and the proposed amendment thereof. Clearly mark the 
envelope and letter ``Privacy Act Request.'' Provide the A-file number 
and/or the full name and date of birth, with a notarized signature of 
the individual who is subject of the records, and a return address.
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
    The primary source of information is the application. Other law 
enforcement records systems may be used as sources.
SYSTEM EXEMPTED FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ACT:
    None.

[FR Doc. 96-8192 Filed 4-3-96; 8:45 am]
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