[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 159 (Thursday, August 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43029-43030]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20686]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

ACTION: Request OMB Emergency Approval; Biographical Information/
Program Eligibility Questionnaire.

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    The Department of Justice (DOJ), Immigration and Naturalization 
Service (INS) has submitted an emergency 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)(i) of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995. The INS has determined that it cannot reasonably comply with 
the normal clearance procedures under this part because normal 
clearance procedures are reasonably likely to prevent or disrupt the 
collection of information. INS is requesting emergency review from OMB 
of this information collection to enable the DOJ/INS to launch the INS 
practitioner Fraud Pilot Program. Emergency review and approval of this 
ICR provides safeguards to encourage undocumented alien victims of 
immigration practitioner fraud to come forward and file complaints. OMB 
approval has been requested by August 24, 2001. 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: Ms. Lauren Wittenberg, 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 Ms. Wittenberg at 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

[[Page 43030]]

period, the INS requests written comments and suggestions from the 
public and affected agencies concerning this information collection. 
Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until October 15, 2001. 
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, Policy 
Directives and Instructions Branch, 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: New collection(s).
    (2) Title of the Form/Collection: Biographical Information/Program 
Eligibility Questionnaire; Practitioner Fraud Pilot Program Initial 
Interview form.
    (3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Forms I-908 and I-909. 
Office of Enforcement, 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 by the INS to identify unscrupulous 
immigration practitioners who intentionally defraud undocumented alien 
victims.
    (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount 
of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 5,000 responses 
at 1 hour per response.
    (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: 5,000 annual burden hours.
    If additional information is required contact: Mr. Robert B. 
Briggs, Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, 
Information and Security Staff, Justice Management Division, 1331 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Suite 1220, Washington, DC 20530.

    Dated: August 9, 2001.
Richard A. Sloan,
Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, 
Immigration and Naturalization Service.
[FR Doc. 01-20686 Filed 8-15-01; 8:45 am]
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