[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 104 (Thursday, May 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30958-30959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12021]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[DHS-2008-0039]


Collection of Alien Biometric Data Upon Exit From the United 
States at Air and Sea Ports of Departure; United States Visitor and 
Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program

AGENCY: National Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of 
Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice of Hearing.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States 
Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) Program, 
is issuing this notice to advise the public of a public hearing on June 
13, 2008, in Arlington, Virginia, on ``Collection of Alien Biometric 
Data upon Exit from the United States at Air and Sea Ports of 
Departure,'' docket DHS-2008-0039.

DATES: The hearing will be held on Friday, June 13, 2008, from 9:30 
a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time.

ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City 
at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, 2799 Jefferson Davis 
Highway, Arlington, Virginia, 22202.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Helen V. deThomas, US-VISIT, 
Department of Homeland Security; 1616 North Fort Myer Drive, 18th 
Floor, Arlington, Virginia, 22209 or by telephone at (202) 298-5200 
(not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 24, 2008, The Department of 
Homeland Security (DHS), United States Visitor and Immigrant Status 
Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) Program, published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking ``Collection of Alien Biometric Data upon Exit from the 
United States at Air and Sea Ports of Departure,'' at 73 FR 22065. The 
sixty-day public comment period for this proposed rule concludes on 
June 23, 2008. DHS has received a number of requests to extend the 
sixty-day comment period. Because the Department is operating under a 
statutory deadline for implementation of a US-VISIT air exit system, 
however, DHS will not be able to extend the comment period for this 
rulemaking action. In lieu of extending the comment period, DHS will 
hold a public hearing on this proposed rule at 9:30 a.m. on June 13, 
2008, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Ronald Reagan Washington 
National Airport, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia, 
22202. US-VISIT will accept written and oral comments on the proposed 
rule during this meeting. All comments received during this public 
meeting will be included in the public docket (DHS-2008-0039) for this 
rulemaking action.
    Although DHS will accept comments on any aspect of this proposed 
rule, the most helpful comments would specifically address discrete 
elements of the proposed rule, including on-point operational and 
financial data and the potential economic and business impacts of the 
performance standards proposed under this rule, including the 
alternatives discussed in this proposed rule and the underlying 
assumptions and analyses related to those alternatives. The most useful 
comments would include information on how DHS could accomplish the 
requirements of the proposed rule and any alternatives that would 
accomplish the result embodied in the proposed rule that would reduce 
the burden on travelers and the travel industry without sacrificing 
accuracy in the collection of biometric information. DHS also is 
interested in public comment on the regulatory impact assessment 
supporting this proposed rule, including:
     The cost models of each alternative, including all 
assumptions that underlie the labor costs;
     Any cost-sharing alternatives to the proposals presented 
between the carriers and the Government;
     The assumptions and numbers used to develop the carrier 
and Government alternatives; and
     The potential for cost savings for alternatives not 
included as options in the proposed rule.
    Anyone wishing to speak and/or make a presentation during the 
public meeting must contact Helen V. deThomas, US-VISIT, Department of 
Homeland Security, by telephone at (202) 298-5200 (not a toll-free 
number), by facsimile at (202) 298-5201, or by e-mail at 
[email protected], not later than June 10, 2008, three business 
days prior to the hearing date and provide three copies of any written 
statement or presentation materials so that they may be placed on the 
agenda. US-VISIT reserves the right to limit the number of presenters 
and the time allowed for presentations to accommodate numerous 
presenters with different points of view.
    Additionally, if you need accommodations because of a disability or 
require additional information, please

[[Page 30959]]

contact Helen V. deThomas at the above telephone number or e-mail 
address.

Shonnie Lyon,
Acting Deputy Director, US-VISIT.
[FR Doc. E8-12021 Filed 5-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-97-P