[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 223 (Friday, November 20, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 60305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-27967]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 6815]


Notice of Information Collection Under Emergency Review: Forms 
DS-2053, DS-2054; Medical Examination for Immigrant or Refugee 
Applicant; DS-3030, Chest X-Ray and Classification Worksheet; OMB 
Control Number 1405-0113

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice of request for emergency OMB approval.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State has submitted the following 
information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the emergency review 
procedures of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
     Title of Information Collection: Medical Examination for 
Immigrant or Refugee Applicant.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0113.
     Type of Request: Emergency Review.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of 
Visa Services (CA/VO)
     Form Number: DS-2053, DS-2054, DS-3030.
     Respondents: Immigrant visa and refugee applicants.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 630,000 per year.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 630,000 per year.
     Average Hours Per Response: 1 hour.
     Total Estimated Burden: 630,000 hours annually.
     Frequency: Once per application.
     Obligation To Respond: Required to Obtain Benefit.
    The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments 
from the public and affected agencies. Emergency review and approval of 
this collection has been requested from OMB by January 4, 2010. If 
granted, the emergency approval is only valid for 180 days. Direct 
comments to the Department of State Desk Officer in the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB).
    You may submit comments by the following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected]. You must include the 
DS form number, information collection title, and OMB control number in 
the subject line of your message.
     Fax: 202-395-5806. Attention: Desk Officer for Department 
of State.
    During the first 60 days of the emergency approval period, a 
regular review of this information collection is also being undertaken. 
The submitting agency requests written comments and suggestions from 
the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of 
information. Comments will be accepted until 60 days from the date that 
this notice is published in the Federal Register.
    You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected] (Subject line must read OMB 
1405-0113 Reauthorization).
     Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): Chief, 
Legislation and Regulations Division, Visa Services--OMB 1405-0113 
Reauthorization, 2401 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20520-30106.
     Fax: (202) 663-3898.
    You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and OMB control number in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection and 
supporting documents, to Lauren Prosnik of the Office of Visa Services, 
U.S. Department of State, 2401 E Street, NW., L-603, Washington, DC 
20522, who may be reached at (202) 663-2951.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are soliciting public comments to permit 
the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper performance of our functions.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
technology.
    Abstract of proposed collection:
    INA Section 221(d) requires that prior to the issuance of an 
immigrant visa the applicant undergo a physical and mental examination. 
INA Section 412(b)(4)(B) requires that the United States Government 
``provide for the identification of refugees who have been determined 
to have medical conditions affecting the public health and requiring 
treatment.'' Form DS-2053, Medical Examination for Immigrant or Refugee 
Applicant (1991 Technical Instructions); Form DS-2054, Medical 
Examination for Immigrant or Refugee Applicant (2007 Technical 
Instructions); and DS-3030, Chest X-Ray and Classification Worksheet 
(2007 Technical Instructions) are designed to record the results of the 
medical examination. A panel physician performs the medical examination 
of the applicant and completes the forms.
    A final rule was published by the Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS) in the Federal Register on November 2, 2009 that amends 
HHS regulations to remove the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) from 
the definition of communicable disease of public health significance 
and to remove references to HIV from medical examinations for aliens. 
In order to comply with this rule, effective January 4, 2010, an 
emergency approval review has been requested from OMB.
    The Department must make available to panel physicians conducting 
medical exams for visa applicants revised medical exam forms. Forms DS-
2053, DS-2054 and DS-3030 are being revised to remove references to 
HIV.
    Methodology:
    The medical forms are sent to the applicant in the applicant's 
package. The applicant takes the forms to the panel physician to use 
during the medical examination. The panel physician completes the 
medical examination and fills out the forms. The forms are then 
submitted in hard copy to the consular officer for processing.

    November 16, 2009.
Edward Ramotowksi,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. E9-27967 Filed 11-19-09; 8:45 am]
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