[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 98 (Thursday, May 20, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29141-29142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11431]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Border and Transportation Security Directorate


Submission for Review; Extension of Currently Approved 
Information Collection Requests for United States Visitor and Immigrant 
Status Indicator Technology Program (US-VISIT)

AGENCY: Border and Transportation Security Directorate, DHS.

ACTION: Notice; 30-day notice of information collections under review.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has submitted the 
following information collection request (ICR) 1600-0006 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 January 5, 2004, at 
69 FR 479, allowing for OMB review and a 60-day public comment period. 
Comments received by DHS are being reviewed as applicable. The purpose 
of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments on 
the information collections under review.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until June 21, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items 
contained in this notice should be directed to Desk Officer for 
Homeland Security, Room 10235, Office of Management and Budget, 
Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Yonkers, Privacy Officer, US-
VISIT, (202) 298-5200 (this is not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This process is conducted in accordance with 
5 CFR 1320.10. A copy of this ICR, with applicable supporting 
documentation, may be obtained by calling the Paperwork Reduction Act 
Contact listed above. The Office of Management and Budget is 
particularly interested in comments which:
    (1) Evaluate whether the 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 
submissions of responses.

Analysis

    Agency: Border and Transportation Security Directorate, Department 
of Homeland Security.
    Title: United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator 
Technology Program (US-VISIT).
    Title of Form: No form. Collection of biometrics will be in 
electronic or photographic format.
    OMB Number: 1600-0006.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Individual aliens. Non-immigrant visa holders who 
seek admission to the United States at air and sea ports of entry and 
designated departure locations.
    Estimate Number of Respondents: From January 5, 2004, to January 5, 
2005, the number of nonimmigrant visa-holders required to provide 
biometrics at the air and sea ports of entry is anticipated to be 
approximately 24 million, comprised of approximately 19.3 million air 
travelers and 4.5 million sea travelers.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: The average processing time per 
person for whom biometrics will be collected is approximately one 
minute and fifteen seconds at entry, with 15 seconds being the 
additional time added for biometric collection over and above the 
normal inspection processing time. The average additional processing 
time upon exit is estimated at one minute per person. There are no 
additional fees for traveling aliens to pay.
    Estimated Burden Hours: Approximately 100,800.
    Total Burden Cost (Capital/Startup): None.
    Total Burden Cost (Operating/Maintaining): None.
    Description: The biometric information to be collected is for 
nonimmigrant visa holders who seek admission to the United States at 
the air and sea ports of entry, and certain

[[Page 29142]]

departure locations. The collection of information is necessary for the 
Department to continue its compliance with the mandates in section 303 
of the Border Security Act, 8 U.S.C. 1732 and sections 403(c) and 
414(b) of the USA PATRIOT Act, 8 U.S.C. 1365a note and 1379, for 
biometric verification of the identities of alien travelers and 
authentication of their biometric travel documents through the use of 
machine readers installed at all ports of entry. The arrival and 
departure inspection procedures are authorized by 8 U.S.C. 1225 and 
1185.

    Dated: May 17, 2004.
Mark Emery,
Chief Information Officer, Deputy CIO for DHS.
[FR Doc. 04-11431 Filed 5-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-10-P