[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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