[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28034-28035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11915]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Docket No. DHS-2010-0018]


National Protection and Programs Directorate; Agency Information 
Collection Activities: United States Visitor and Immigrant Status 
Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) Biometric Data Collection at the Ports 
of Entry

AGENCY: National Protection and Programs Directorate, DHS.

ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for comments; Revision of existing 
information collection request: 1600-0006.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security, National Protection and 
Programs Directorate (NPPD), US-VISIT, will submit the following 
Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). NPPD is 
soliciting comments concerning this biometric data collection at the 
ports of entry. DHS previously published this information collection 
request (ICR) in the Federal Register on March 9, 2010, at 75 FR 10809, 
for a 60-day public comment period. The purpose of this notice is to 
allow an additional 30 days for public comments.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until June 18, 
2010. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be 
addressed to OMB Desk Officer, Department of Homeland Security, Office 
of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Comments must be identified by 
DHS-2010-0018 and may be submitted by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
     E-mail: [email protected]. Include the docket 
number in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: (202) 395-5806.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the words 
``Department of Homeland Security'' and the docket number for this 
action. Comments received will be posted without alteration at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DHS established US-VISIT to meet specific 
legislative mandates intended to strengthen border security, provide 
decision-makers with critical information, and demonstrate progress 
toward national security performance goals, therefore expediting trade 
and travel and supporting immigration system improvements. US-VISIT 
collects and disseminates biometric information (digital fingerprint 
images and facial photos) from individuals during their entry into the 
United States. This information is disseminated to specific DHS 
components; other Federal agencies; Federal, State and local law 
enforcement agencies; and the Federal intelligence community to assist 
in the decisions they make related to, and in support of, the homeland 
security mission. Beginning on December 10, 2007, US-VISIT expanded the 
collection of fingerprints from two prints to 10. The new collection 
time of 35 seconds, an increase from the previous 15 seconds, is a 
result of this change, and includes officer instructions. Additionally, 
on December 19, 2008, DHS published a final rule, entitled ``United 
States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program (US-
VISIT); Enrollment of Additional Aliens in US-VISIT; Authority to 
Collect Biometric Data from Additional Travelers and Expansion to the 
50 Most Highly Trafficked Land Border Ports of Entry'' 73 FR 77473. 
That rule became effective on January 18, 2009, and expanded the 
population of aliens subject to US-VISIT requirements.
    DHS received three comments in response to the 60-day notice 
published on March 9, 2010.
    Comment: One commenter reported that he had taken manual 
fingerprints for years and stated that it was better to take an extra 
20 seconds to capture all 10 digits in order to better validate an 
individual's identity.
    Response: US-VISIT relies on the collection and use of inkless 
fingerscans to establish and verify identity in support of homeland 
security decision-makers. US-VISIT continues to refine the fingerscan 
technology capability to accurately capture biometric data to enhance 
security while expediting legitimate travel and trade.

[[Page 28035]]

    Comment: One commenter stated that the fingerprint technology is 
accurate and effective, that a 35 second delay in entering the United 
States to capture fingerprints is a very small amount of time to ensure 
the safety of United States citizens and praised DHS for ``great 
work.''
    Response: US-VISIT is pleased to receive this positive appraisal. 
By providing decision-makers with the information they need--where and 
when they need it--US-VISIT is helping to make U.S. immigration and 
border management efforts more collaborative, streamlined, and 
effective.
    Comment: One commenter stated that because violence on the U.S. 
border is on the rise and the situation will most likely become worse 
over the coming years, it is essential that law enforcement officials 
be given access to the US-VISIT program to ensure the security of 
Americans domestically.
    Response: Under US-VISIT, information systems associated with 
border inspections and security are being linked. Biometric and other 
information are available to appropriate staff in U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), 
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), Department of State 
consular officers, and other staff involved with the adjudication of 
visa applications at overseas posts; other DHS officers; and 
appropriate officers of the United States intelligence and law 
enforcement community when needed for the performance of their duties. 
US-VISIT also supports other Federal agencies, State and local law 
enforcement, and the intelligence community in their screening and 
enforcement missions by sharing biometrics of individuals deemed a 
threat by DHS and by receiving data from other agencies for individuals 
deemed to be a threat to national security. US-VISIT will continue to 
integrate appropriate additional databases and ensure interoperability 
with other databases as appropriate. In so doing, US-VISIT directly 
supports the DHS strategic goal of protecting our Nation from dangerous 
people.
    OMB is particularly interested in comments which:
    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 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: Department of Homeland Security, NPPD, US-VISIT.
    Title: US-VISIT Program.
    Form: N/A.
    OMB Number: 1600-0006.
    Frequency: One-time collection.
    Affected Public: Foreign visitors and immigrants into the United 
States.
    Number of Respondents: 156,732,422.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 35 seconds.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,520,304 annual burden hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $53,211,000.

Thomas Chase Garwood, III,
Chief Information Officer, National Protection and Programs 
Directorate, Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2010-11915 Filed 5-18-10; 8:45 am]
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