[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 137 (Monday, July 18, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42129-42130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17934]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY


Agency Information Collection Activities: Case Submission Form, 
Case Assistance Form

(Form DHS-7001), Online Ombudsman Form DHS-7001

AGENCY: Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Service Ombudsman, 
DHS.

ACTION: 60-Day Notice and request for comments; Revision of currently 
approved collection.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Citizenship 
and Immigration Service Ombudsman 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).

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until September 16, 
2011. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.1.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and questions about this Information 
Collection Request should be forwarded to Office of the Citizenship and 
Immigration Services Ombudsman, DHS, Attn.: Chief of Special Programs, 
Mail Stop 1225, Washington, DC 20528-1225. Comments may also be 
submitted to DHA via facsimile to 202-272-8352, 202-357-0042 or via e-
mail at [email protected] or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Citizenship and Immigration Services 
(CIS) Ombudsman was created under section 452 of the Homeland Security 
Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296) to: (1) Assist individuals and employers 
in resolving problems with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 
Services (USCIS); (2) to identify areas in which individuals and 
employers have problems in dealing with USCIS; and (3) to the extent 
possible, propose changes in the administrative practices of USCIS to 
mitigate problems. This form is used by an applicant who is 
experiencing problems with USCIS during the processing of an 
immigration benefit.
    The information collected on this form will allow the CIS Ombudsman 
to identify the issue such as: (1) A case problem which is a request 
for information about a case that was filed with USCIS (``case 
problem''); or (2) the identification of a systemic issue that may or 
may not pertain to an individual case which the individual, attorney or 
employer is seeking to bring to the attention of the CIS Ombudsman 
(``trend''). For case problems, the CIS Ombudsman will refer case 
specific issues to the Customer Assistance Office for USCIS for further 
research, and review.
    For trends received, the CIS Ombudsman notes the systemic issue 
identified in the correspondence which may or may not be incorporated 
into future recommendations submitted to the Director of USCIS pursuant 
to section 452(d)(4) of Public Law 107-296.
    The use of this form provides the most efficient means for 
collecting and processing the required data. The CIS Ombudsman 
anticipates employing the use of information technology in collecting 
and processing information by offering the option for electronic 
submission of the DHS Form 7001 in

[[Page 42130]]

FY2012. The technology for electronic capture of this data is in the 
final phase of development with successful testing of a pilot version 
conducted in the 4th quarter of FY2010. We are requesting a two year 
approval for the form anticipating Government Paperwork Elimination Act 
compliance for electronic means for collections to be developed and 
deployed by FY2012. We plan to submit any required paperwork to amend 
this document for the electronic version of this form during FY2011. 
There has been no increase or decrease in the estimated annual burden 
hours previously reported for this information collection. There is no 
change in the information being collected, however there have been 
cosmetic changes to the form including punctuation and formatting. The 
title of the form has changed from ``Case Problem Submission Worksheet 
(CIS Ombudsman Form DHS-7001)'' to ``Case Assistance Form (Form DHS-
7001)'' The name of the system has changed from ``Virtual Ombudsman 
System'' to ``Online Ombudsman Form DHS-7001''. The instructions have 
been updated to reflect the electronic submission options. Instructions 
for electronic submission will be posted on the CIS Ombudsman Web site 
at http://www.dhs.gov/cisombudsman.
    The terms of clearance from the previously approved collection have 
been addressed by updates to the: (a) Privacy Impact Assessment for the 
Office of the Citizenship & Immigration Services Ombudsman (CISOMB) 
Virtual Ombudsman System (March 19, 2010); and the (b) Systems of 
Records Notice: 9110-9B Department of Homeland Security, Office of the 
Secretary [Docket No. DHS-2009-0146] Privacy Act of 1974; Department of 
Homeland Security Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman--001 
Virtual Ombudsman System (March 2010) to reflect the name change to 
Online Ombudsman Form DHS-7001 System of Records. These documents are 
currently under review by DHS HQ Privacy Office.
    The Office of Management and Budget 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: Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Service 
Ombudsman, DHS.
    Title: Case Submission Form.
    OMB Number: 1601-0004.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Household.
    Number of Respondents: 2,600.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 1 Hour.
    Total Burden Hours: 2,600.

Richard Spires,
Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-17934 Filed 7-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-9B-P