[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 93 (Wednesday, May 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 26570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12584]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

ACTION: Request OMB emergency approval; solicitation for proposals to 
conduct naturalization ceremonies.

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    The Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service 
has submitted the following information collection request (ICR) 
utilizing emergency review procedures, to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995. Additionally, this notice will also serve as the 
60-day public notification for comments as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995.
    There is an emergent need for this notice to be published and 
implemented immediately so that the INS may begin to provide funding to 
public and private entities selected to conduct oath administration 
ceremonies in accordance with section 647 of the Illegal Immigration 
Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, beginning this year 
(around July 4th). Additionally, INS believes this proposed 
solicitation procedure is the best manner in which to provide funding 
to local groups throughout the nation as provided in this section of 
the law.
    The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments 
from the public and affected agencies. Emergency review and approval of 
this collection has been requested from OMB by May 16,1997. If granted, 
the emergency approval is only valid for 180 days.
    Comments and questions about the ICR listed below should be 
forwarded to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Attention: Ms. Debra Bond, 202-395-7316, Department of Justice Desk 
Officer, Room 10235, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 
20503.
    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 agency's 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: New information collection.
    (2) Title of the Form/Collection: Solicitation for Proposals to 
Conduct Naturalization Ceremonies.
    (3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Naturalization 
Program, Adjudications Division, Immigration and Naturalization 
Service.
    (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract: Primary: Not-for-profit institutions. The 
collection of this information is necessary to solicit proposals from 
the public and non-profit entities to assist INS district offices in 
conducting naturalization ceremonies on a business day near 
Independence Day (July 4th).
    (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount 
of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 100 responses 
at 6 hours per response.
    (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: 600 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, 202-616-7600, 
Director, Policy Directives and Instructions Branch, Immigration and 
Naturalization Service, U.S. Department of Justice, Room 5307, 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, 
Suite 850, Washington Center, 1001 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20530.

    Dated: May 8, 1997.
Robert B. Briggs,
Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 97-12584 Filed 5-13-97; 8:45 am]
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