[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 33 (Thursday, February 17, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8208-8209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3809]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

ACTION: Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Application for 
Asylum and Withholding of Removal.

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    The Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service 
(INS) has submitted the following information collection request to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information 
collection was previously published in the Federal Register on November 
3, 1999 at 64 FR 59792, providing notice to the public for the 
solicitation of public comments. The Service allowed a 60-day public 
comment period that ended on January 3, 2000. The Service received one 
comment from a non-governmental organization on the proposed extension 
of the existing information collection. This comment commended the INS 
on previous revision, noting that the form was more ``user-friendly'' 
than in the past. The comment also made several suggestions for 
revising the format on the information collection that will be 
incorporated to the extent possible. In addition, the comment 
highlighted several problems clients and attorneys have encountered 
related to the processing and distributing the application. These 
problems are being corrected through additional processing guidance, 
training and discussion by program staff.
    The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for 
public comments. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until 
March 20, 2000. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 
1320.10.
    Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained 
in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and 
associated response time, should be directed to the Office of 
Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Attention: Stuart Shapiro, Department of Justice Desk Officer, Room 
10235, Washington, DC 20530; 202-395-7316.
    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: Extension of 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: Forms I-589 and I-
589S. Office of International Affairs, Immigration and Naturalization 
Service.
    (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well 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

[[Page 8209]]

respond: 50,000 responses at approximately 12 hours per response.
    (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: 600,000 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, 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: February 11, 2000.
Richard A. Sloan,
Department Clearance Officer, Department of Justice, Immigration and 
Naturalization Service.
[FR Doc. 00-3809 Filed 2-16-00; 8:45 am]
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