[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 95 (Thursday, May 16, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34957-34958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-12247]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

ACTION: Request OMB Emergency Approval; Application for NEXUS Dedicated 
Commuter Lane Program; Form I-823N.

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    The Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service 
(INS) has submitted an emergency information collection request (ICR)

[[Page 34958]]

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)(iii) 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 ensure compliance with the United States/
Canada ``Shared Border Accord,'' signed in 1999 and the Ridge/Manley 
Agreement, the thirty-point northern border agreement signed in 
December 2001.
    The application will be used by the Immigration and Naturalization 
Serve and the United States Customs officials to determine eligibility 
for admission into the NEXUS program. NEXUS is an automated dedicated 
commuter lane (DCL) program for low-risk travelers who frequently cross 
the land border between the United States and Canada. This high profile 
program arose from the U.S./Canada Shared Border Accord and was 
incorporated into the Ridge/Manley Agreement. The Administration has 
directed that the NEXUS lanes at two ports-of-entry between the state 
of Washington and British Columbia, Canada must open in June 2002, 
which requires that the enrollment process begin by Late May 2002 in 
order to permit sufficient time for background checks and pre-screening 
interviews.
    For the aforementioned reasons, the INS is requesting emergency OMB 
review and approval of this information collection request by May 15, 
2002. 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: Department of Justice Desk Officer, 
725--17th Street, N.W., Suite 10102, Washington, DC 20503. Comments 
regarding the emergency submission of this information collection may 
also be submitted via facsimile to 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 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 July 15, 2002. 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, Regulations and Forms Services Division, 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.
    (2) Title of the Form/Collection: Application for NEXUS Dedicated 
Commuter Lane Program.
    (3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form I-823N. 
Inspections Division, 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. The 
information collected will be used by the INS and U.S. Customs 
officials to determine eligibility for admission into the NEXUS program 
under U.S. law. Canadian immigration and customs officials will use the 
information on the application to determine the individual's 
eligibility under Canadian law.
    (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount 
of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 100,000 
responses at 1.166 minutes per response.
    (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: 116,600 annual burden hours.
    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, 
Patrick Henry Building, 601 D Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20530.

    Dated: May 10, 2002.
Richard A. Sloan,
Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, 
Immigration and Naturalization Service.
[FR Doc. 02-12247 Filed 5-15-02; 8:45 am]
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