[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 245 (Friday, December 19, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77764-77768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29802]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. DHS-2008-0153]


Privacy Act of 1974; U.S. Customs and Border Protection--013 
Seized Assets and Case Tracking System

AGENCY: Privacy Office; DHS.

ACTION: Notice of Privacy Act system of records.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of 
Homeland Security is giving notice that it proposes to consolidate 
twelve legacy record systems into a U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
system of records notice titled, U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
Seizures and Violators (SEACATS): Treasury/CS.021 Arrest/Seizure/Search 
Report and Notice of Penalty File, October 18, 2001, Treasury/CS.096 
Fines, Penalties, and Forfeiture Control and Information Retrieval 
System, October 18, 2001, Treasury/CS.098 Fines, Penalties, and 
Forfeitures Records, October 18, 2001, Treasury/CS.099 Fines, 
Penalties, and Forfeiture Files (Supplementary Petitions), October 18, 
2001, Treasury/CS.100 Fines, Penalties, and Forfeiture Records, October 
18, 2001, Treasury/CS.125 Intelligence Log, October 18, 2001, Treasury/
CS.136 All Liquidated Damage, Penalty, and Seizure Cases; Prior 
Violators, October 18, 2001, Treasury/CS.156 Narcotic Violator File, 
October 18, 2001, Treasury/CS.209 Resumes of Professional Artists, 
October 18, 2001, Treasury/CS.213 Seized Asset and Case Tracking 
System, October 18, 2001, Treasury/CS.215 Seizure Report File, October 
18, 2001, Treasury/CS.227 Temporary Importation Under Bond (TIB) 
Defaulter Control System, October 18, 2001, and Treasury/CS.258 
Violator's Case Files, October 18, 2001. Categories of individuals, 
categories of records, and the routine uses of these legacy system of 
records notices have been consolidated and updated to better reflect 
the U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizures and violators record 
systems. DHS is issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concurrent with 
this SORN elsewhere in the Federal Register. The exemptions for the 
legacy system of records notices will continue to be applicable until 
the final rule for this SORN has been completed. This system will be 
included in the Department's inventory of record systems.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 20, 
2009. This new system will be effective January 20, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number DHS-
2008-0153 by one of the following methods:
     Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 1-866-466-5370.
     Mail: Hugo Teufel III, Chief Privacy Officer, Privacy 
Office, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528.
     Instructions: All submissions received must include the 
agency name and docket number for this rulemaking. All comments 
received will be posted without change and may be read at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.
     Docket: For access to the docket to read background 
documents or comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general questions please contact: 
Laurence E. Castelli (202-325-0280), Chief, Privacy Act Policy and 
Procedures Branch, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of 
International Trade, Regulations & Rulings, Mint Annex, 1300 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20229. For privacy issues 
contact: Hugo Teufel III (703-235-0780), Chief Privacy Officer, Privacy 
Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Pursuant to the savings clause in the Homeland Security Act of 
2002, Public Law 107-296, Section 1512, 116 Stat. 2310 (November 25, 
2002), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection (CBP) have relied on preexisting Privacy Act systems 
of records notices for the collection and maintenance of records 
pertaining to seizures and violators.
    As part of its efforts to streamline and consolidate its record 
systems, DHS is establishing a component system of records under the 
Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) for DHS/CBP that pertains to seizures made, 
and persons found violating laws and regulations enforced,

[[Page 77765]]

by DHS/CBP. This record system will allow DHS/CBP to collect and 
maintain records regarding seizures and violators.
    In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, DHS is giving notice 
that it proposes to consolidate twelve legacy record systems into a 
DHS/CBP system of records notice titled, U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection Seizures and Violators (SEACATS): Treasury/CS.021 Arrest/
Seizure/Search Report and Notice of Penalty File (66 FR 52984 October 
18, 2001), Treasury/CS.096 Fines, Penalties, and Forfeiture Control and 
Information Retrieval System (66 FR 52984 October 18, 2001), Treasury/
CS.098 Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Records (66 FR 52984 October 
18, 2001), Treasury/CS.099 Fines, Penalties, and Forfeiture Files 
(Supplementary Petitions) (66 FR 52984 October 18, 2001), Treasury/
CS.100 Fines, Penalties, and Forfeiture Records (66 FR 52984 October 
18, 2001), Treasury/CS.125 Intelligence Log (66 FR 52984 October 18, 
2001), Treasury/CS.136 All Liquidated Damage, Penalty, and Seizure 
Cases; Prior Violators (66 FR 52984 October 18, 2001), Treasury/CS.156 
Narcotic Violator File (66 FR 52984 October 18, 2001), Treasury/CS.209 
Resumes of Professional Artists (66 FR 52984 October 18, 2001), 
Treasury/CS.213 Seized Asset and Case Tracking System (66 FR 52984 
October 18, 2001), Treasury/CS.215 Seizure Report File (66 FR 52984 
October 18, 2001), Treasury/CS.227 Temporary Importation Under Bond 
(TIB) Defaulter Control System (66 FR 52984 October 18, 2001), and 
Treasury/CS.258 Violator's Case Files (66 FR 52984 October 18, 2001). 
Categories of individuals, categories of records, and the routine uses 
of these legacy systems of records notices have been consolidated and 
updated to better reflect DHS/CBP seizures and violators record 
systems. Additionally, DHS is issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) concurrent with this SORN elsewhere in the Federal Register. The 
exemptions for the legacy system of records notices will continue to be 
applicable until the final rule for this SORN has been completed. This 
system will cover all seizure, civil and criminal cases relating to 
violators of the customs, immigration, agriculture and other laws and 
regulations administered or enforced by DHS/CBP.

II. Privacy Act

    The Privacy Act embodies fair information principles in a statutory 
framework governing the means by which the U.S. Government collects, 
maintains, uses, and disseminates individuals' records. The Privacy Act 
applies to information that is maintained in a ``system of records.'' A 
``system of records'' is a group of any records under the control of an 
agency for which information is retrieved by the name of an individual 
or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular 
assigned to the individual. In the Privacy Act, an individual is 
defined to encompass U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. As a 
matter of policy, DHS extends administrative Privacy Act protections to 
all individuals where systems of records maintain information on U.S. 
citizens, lawful permanent residents, and visitors. Individuals may 
request access to their own records that are maintained in a system of 
records in the possession or under the control of DHS by complying with 
DHS Privacy Act regulations, 6 CFR part 5.
    The Privacy Act requires each agency to publish in the Federal 
Register a description denoting the type and character of each system 
of records that the agency maintains, and the routine uses that are 
contained in each system, in order to make agency record keeping 
practices transparent, to notify individuals regarding the uses of 
their records, and to assist individuals to more easily find such files 
within the agency. Below is the description of the DHS/CBP Seizures and 
Violators System of Records.
    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(r), DHS has provided a report of 
this system of records to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and 
to Congress.
System of Records
DHS/CBP-013

System name:
    U.S. Customs and Border Protection Seized Assets and Case Tracking 
System (SEACATS).

Security classification:
    Unclassified.

System location:
    This computer database is located at the U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection National Data Center in the Washington, DC area. Computer 
terminals are located at CBP sites and ports throughout the United 
States and at CBP Headquarters, Washington, DC as well as appropriate 
facilities under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS) and other locations at which officers of DHS may be 
posted or operate to facilitate DHS's mission of homeland security. 
Terminals may also be located at appropriate facilities for other 
participating government agencies pursuant to agreement. Records are 
maintained at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Headquarters in 
Washington, DC and in field offices.

Categories of individuals covered by the system:
    Categories of individuals covered by this system include current 
and former violators and alleged or otherwise suspected violators of 
Custom, immigration, agriculture or other laws and regulations 
administered or enforced by DHS/CBP, and related parties involved in, 
or affected by, an inquiry concerning the violation of Customs, 
immigration, agriculture or other law enforced or administered by DHS/
CBP. This system includes:
     Persons who are believed to be involved in activities 
which constitute, or may develop into, possible violation of Customs, 
immigration, agriculture or other laws administered or enforcement by 
DHS/CBP.
     Persons who smuggle, or are suspected of smuggling, 
merchandise or contraband, including narcotics and other illegal drugs, 
into the U.S.;
     Vessels, aircraft and other conveyances that have been 
used in connection or with or found in violation of Customs, 
immigration, agriculture or other laws and regulations enforced or 
administered by DHS/CBP;
     Individuals and businesses fined, penalized, or forced to 
forfeit merchandise because of violations of Customs, immigration, 
agriculture and/or other laws administered or enforced by DHS/CBP;
     Individuals and businesses who have filed false invoices, 
documents, or statements that result in a violation of Customs, 
immigration, agriculture or other laws and regulations administered or 
enforced by DHS/CBP;
     Individuals and businesses who have filed supplemental 
petitions for relief from fines, penalties, and forfeitures assessed 
for violations of the laws and regulations administered or enforced by 
DHS/CBP;
     Owners, claimants, and other interested parties to seized 
property;
     Purchasers of forfeited property;
     Individuals to whom prohibited merchandise is addressed; 
and
     Individuals who assist in the enforcement of customs, 
navigation, immigration, agriculture and other laws administered or 
enforced by DHS/CBP.

Categories of records in the system:
    Categories of records in this system may include:
     Individual's name;
     Business name;
     Aliases;
     Social security number;

[[Page 77766]]

     Physical description of the individual;
     Addresses;
     Telephone numbers;
     Occupation;
     Violator's previous record;
     Driver's license;
     Passport number;
     Entry documentation;
     Personal identifying number, such as informant number;
     Case number or seizure number;
     Vessel name, including registration number;
     Aircraft name and tail number;
     License Plate Number;
     Type of violation/suspected violation;
     Description of violation/alleged violation, including 
circumstances surrounding the violation/alleged violation, including 
section of law violated or alleged to have been violated;
     Date and place of violation/alleged violation;
     On-site disposition actions, such as whether a seizure was 
made, an item was detained, or inspection occurred;
     Sender of the seized or detained goods;
     Intended recipient of the seized or detained goods;
     Parties entitled to legal notice or who are legally 
liable;
     Bond information;
     Notices;
     Investigative reports and disposition of fines, penalties, 
and forfeitures;
     Memoranda;
     Petitions and supplemental petitions;
     Recommendations pertaining to litigation;
     Referrals to Department of Justice;
     Notes from officers related to a DHS/CBP action;
     Case information pertaining to violation;
     Actions taken by DHS/CBP;
     Documents relating to the internal review and 
consideration of the request for relief and decision thereon;
     Property description;
     Estimated foreign value of merchandise;
     Duty;
     Domestic value of merchandise;
     CBP Port code;
     Delivery to seizure clerk; and
     Applicants for awards of compensation and determination of 
such applications.

Authority for maintenance of the system:
    5 U.S.C. 301; the Federal Records Act, 44 U.S.C. 3101; the 
immigration laws, including 8 U.S.C. 1221, 1321-1328, 8 CFR parts 270, 
274, 280; the Customs laws, including 18 U.S.C. 542, 545 and 19 U.S.C. 
66, 1436, 1497, 1509, 1592, 1593a, 1594, 1595a, 1618, 1619, 1624, 1703 
and, 19 CFR parts 1623, 171 and 172; the agriculture laws, including 7 
U.S.C. 8303, 8304, 8307; Executive Order 9373.

Purpose(s):
    The purpose of this system is to (1) document individuals and 
businesses who violated, or are alleged to have violated, Custom, 
immigration, agriculture and other laws and regulations enforced or 
administered by DHS/CBP; (2) collect and maintain records on fines, 
penalties, and forfeitures; and (3) collect and maintain records of 
individuals who have provided assistance with respect to identifying or 
locating individuals who have or are alleged to have violated Customs, 
immigration, agriculture and other laws and regulations enforced or 
administered by DHS/CBP.

Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories 
of users and the purposes of such uses:
    In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 
552a(b) of the Privacy Act, all or a portion of the records of 
information contained in this system may be disclosed outside DHS as a 
routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows:
    A. To the Department of Justice or other Federal agency conducting 
litigation or in proceedings before any court, adjudicative or 
administrative body, when it is necessary to the litigation and one of 
the following is a party to the litigation or has an interest in such 
litigation:
    1. DHS or any component thereof;
    2. Any employee of DHS or any component in his/her official 
capacity;
    3. Any employee of DHS or any component in his/her individual 
capacity where DOJ or DHS has agreed to represent the employee; or
    4. The U.S. or any agency thereof, is a party to the litigation or 
has an interest in such litigation, and DHS or CBP determines that the 
records are both relevant and necessary to the litigation and the use 
of such records is compatible with the purpose for which DHS or CBP 
collected the records.
    B. To a congressional office in response to an inquiry from that 
congressional office made at the request of the individual to whom the 
record pertains.
    C. To the National Archives and Records Administration or other 
Federal government agencies pursuant to records management inspections 
being conducted under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.
    D. To an agency, organization, or individual for the purpose of 
performing audit or oversight operations as authorized by law, but only 
such information as is necessary and relevant to such audit or 
oversight function.
    E. To appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when:
    1. DHS or CBP suspects or has confirmed that the security or 
confidentiality of information in the system of records has been 
compromised;
    2. DHS or CBP has determined that as a result of the suspected or 
confirmed compromise there is a risk of harm to economic or property 
interests, identity theft or fraud, or harm to the security or 
integrity of this system or other systems or programs (whether 
maintained by DHS, CBP, or another agency or entity) or harm to the 
individual who relies upon the compromised information; and
    3. The disclosure made to such agencies, entities, and persons is 
reasonably necessary to assist in connection with DHS or CBP's efforts 
to respond to the suspected or confirmed compromise and prevent, 
minimize, or remedy such harm.
    F. To contractors and their agents, grantees, experts, consultants, 
and others performing or working on a contract, service, grant, 
cooperative agreement, or other assignment for DHS or CBP, when 
necessary to accomplish an agency function related to this system of 
records. Individuals provided information under this routine use are 
subject to the same Privacy Act requirements and limitations on 
disclosure as are applicable to DHS/CBP officers and employees.
    G. To appropriate Federal, State, local, tribal, or foreign 
governmental agencies or multilateral governmental organizations 
responsible for investigating or prosecuting the violations of, or for 
enforcing or implementing, a statute, rule, regulation, order, license, 
or treaty where DHS determines that the information would assist in the 
enforcement of civil or criminal laws.
    H. To an appropriate Federal, State, local, tribal, foreign, or 
international agency, if the information is relevant and necessary to a 
requesting agency's decision concerning the hiring or retention of an 
individual, or issuance of a security clearance, license, contract, 
grant, or other benefit, or if the information is relevant and 
necessary to a DHS decision concerning the hiring or retention of an 
employee, the issuance of a security clearance, the reporting of

[[Page 77767]]

an investigation of an employee, the letting of a contract, or the 
issuance of a license, grant or other benefit and disclosure is 
appropriate to the proper performance of the official duties of the 
person making the request.
    I. To a court, magistrate, or administrative tribunal in the course 
of presenting evidence, including disclosures to opposing counsel or 
witnesses in the course of civil discovery, litigation, or settlement 
negotiations or in connection with criminal law proceedings or in 
response to a subpoena from a court of competent jurisdiction.
    J. To third parties during the course of a law enforcement 
investigation to the extent necessary to obtain information pertinent 
to the investigation, provided disclosure is appropriate to the proper 
performance of the official duties of the officer making the 
disclosure.
    K. To a consumer reporting agency in accordance with section 
3711(3) of Title 31.
    L. To the news media and the public, with the approval of the Chief 
Privacy Officer in consultation with counsel, when there exists a 
legitimate public interest in the disclosure of the information or when 
disclosure is necessary to preserve confidence in the integrity of DHS 
or any component is necessary to demonstrate the accountability of DHS 
or a component's officers, employees, or individuals covered by the 
system, except to the extent it is determined that release of the 
specific information in the context of a particular case would 
constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
    M. To appropriate Federal, State, local, tribal, or foreign 
governmental agencies or multilateral governmental organizations where 
DHS is aware of a need to utilize relevant data for purposes of testing 
new technology and systems designed to enhance national security or 
identify other violations of law.
    N. To a Federal, State, or local agency, or other appropriate 
entity or individual, or through established liaison channels to 
selected foreign governments, in order to provide intelligence, 
counterintelligence, or other information for the purposes of 
intelligence, counterintelligence, or antiterrorism activities 
authorized by U.S. law, Executive Order, or other applicable national 
security directive.

Disclosure to consumer reporting agencies:
    Yes, when appropriate and in accordance with section 3711(3) of 
Title 31.

Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, 
and disposing of records in the system:
Storage:
    Records in this system are stored electronically or on paper in 
secure facilities in a locked drawer behind a locked door. The records 
are stored on magnetic disc, tape, digital media, and CD-ROM.

Retrievability:
    Records are retrieved by individual's name; business name; vessel 
name; aircraft name; case number; year and CBP port code; 
identification codes; identifying number; date of violation; type of 
violation; name of the person to which seized items are addressed; case 
or seizure number by fiscal year; and phone number.

Safeguards:
    Records in this system are safeguarded in accordance with 
applicable rules and policies, including all applicable DHS automated 
system security access policies. Strict controls have been imposed to 
minimize the risk of compromising the information that is being stored. 
Access to the computer system containing the records in this system is 
limited to those individuals who have a need to know the information 
for the performance of their official duties and who have appropriate 
clearances or permissions.

Retention and disposal:
    Records related to a law enforcement action; or that are linked to 
an alleged violation of law or regulation, or are matches or suspected 
matches to enforcement activities, investigations or cases (i.e., 
administrative penalty actions or criminal prosecutions), will remain 
accessible until the conclusion of the law enforcement matter and any 
other enforcement matters or related investigative, administrative, or 
judicial action to which it becomes associated plus five years. Records 
associated with a law enforcement matter, where all applicable statutes 
of limitation have expired prior to the conclusion of the matter, will 
be retained for two years following the expiration of the applicable 
statute of limitations.

System Manager and address:
    Customs and Border Protection, Customs and Border Protection 
Headquarters, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229.

Notification procedure:
    The Secretary of Homeland Security has exempted this system from 
notification, access, and amendment because of the law enforcement 
nature of the information. However, CBP will review requests on a case 
by case and release information as appropriate. Individuals seeking 
notification of and access to any record contained in this system of 
records, or seeking to contest its content, may submit a request in 
writing to CBP's FOIA Officer, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Mint 
Annex, Washington, DC 20229. Specific FOIA contact information can be 
found at http://www.dhs.gov/foia under ``contacts.''
    When seeking records about yourself from this system of records or 
any other CBP system of records your request must conform with the 
Privacy Act regulations set forth in 6 CFR part 5. You must first 
verify your identity, meaning that you must provide your full name, 
current address and date and place of birth. You must sign your 
request, and your signature must either be notarized or submitted under 
28 U.S.C. 1746, a law that permits statements to be made under penalty 
of perjury as a substitute for notarization. While no specific form is 
required, you may obtain forms for this purpose from the Director, 
Disclosure and FOIA, http://www.dhs.gov or 1-866-431-0486. In addition 
you should provide the following:
     An explanation of why you believe the Department would 
have information on you,
     Specify when you believe the records would have been 
created,
     If your request is seeking records pertaining to another 
living individual, you must include a statement from that individual 
certifying his/her agreement for you to access his/her records.
    Without this bulleted information CBP may not be able to conduct an 
effective search, and your request may be denied due to lack of 
specificity or lack of compliance with applicable regulations.

Record access procedures:
    See ``Notification procedure'' above.

Contesting record procedures:
    See ``Notification procedure'' above.

Record source categories:
    Individuals, including individuals petitioning for relief of fines, 
penalties, and forfeitures; DHS/CBP employees, including DHS/CBP 
employees who prepare Customs Form 5955a (Notice of Penalty or 
liquidated Damages Incurred and Demand for Payment) and Customs

[[Page 77768]]

Form 151 (Search/Arrest/Seizure Report) at the time and place where the 
violation occurred; Information and representations supplied by 
importers, brokers and other agents pursuant to the entry and 
processing of merchandise or in the clearing of individuals or baggage 
through Customs. Also included is information gathered pursuant to DHS/
CBP investigations of suspected or actual violations of Customs, 
immigration, agriculture and other laws enforced or administered by 
DHS/CBP, regulations, recommendations, and information supplied by 
other agencies; Port Director of CBP who has jurisdiction over fines, 
penalties, and forfeitures; penalty notices; Search/Arrest/Seizure 
Reports transmitted to the Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Office by 
ports and stations within the area; and mail shipments.

Exemptions claimed for the system:
    Pursuant to exemption 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2) of the Privacy Act, 
portions of this system are exempt from 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) and (4); 
(d); (e)(1), (e)(2), (e)(3), (e)(4)(G), (e)(4)(H), (e)(4)(I), (e)(5) 
and (e)(8); (f), and (g). Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2), this system 
is exempt from the following provisions of the Privacy Act, subject to 
the limitations set forth in those subsections: 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), 
(d), (e)(1), (e)(4)(G), (e)(4)(H), (e)(4)(I), and (f). In addition, to 
the extent a record contains information from other exempt systems of 
records, CBP will rely on the exemptions claimed for those systems.

    Dated: December 10, 2008.
Hugo Teufel III,
Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. E8-29802 Filed 12-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-10-P