[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 173 (Friday, September 6, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 46932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-19233]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 173 / Friday, September 6, 2019 /
Notices
[[Page 46932]]
AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment
Request
AGENCY: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
ACTION: Notice of information collection.
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SUMMARY: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), as part of
its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden,
invites the general public and other Federal agencies to review and
comment on the following new information collection, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Comments are requested concerning;
whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the
proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether
the information shall have practical utility for managing USAID's
Exchange Visitor program; the accuracy of USAID's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information; suggestions on how s
to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be
collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of
information on respondents.
DATES: All comments should be submitted within 60 calendar days from
the date of this publication.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding
the proposed information collection to Ethel Brooks, USAID, Bureau of
Economic Growth, Education and Environment (E3)/Office of Education at
[email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ethel Brooks, USAID, Bureau of
Economic Growth, Education and Environment (E3)/Office of Education at
[email protected] or 202-712-4226.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
In support of its development objectives and aim for self-reliance,
USAID sponsors U.S.-based education and capacity strengthening programs
for host country nationals, referred to as the Exchange Visitor (EV)
Program. Exchange Visitors travel to the United States under a J-1
visa.
The USAID Bureau of Economic Growth, Education, and Environment,
Office of Education (E3/ED) manages the Agency's J-1 visa designation
and ensures the Agency's compliance with Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) and Department of State (DoS) regulations contained in
22 CFR 62.1-90. The Office of Education collects Exchange Visitor data
from USAID's overseas Missions and Implementers, and manages the
Agency's EV approval process. USAID relies on data to fulfill a
mandatory Agency function of providing the DHS, including Immigration
and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the DoS with information about host
country nationals who study in the U.S. under USAID sponsorship. The
referenced bio data forms are used to collect such data. The forms
include a section for collecting data about the individuals': (a)
Suitability for USAID sponsorship; (b) agreed upon commitment to return
to the home country and use their newly acquired skills to help solve
local development problems; (c) agreement to reimburse program costs if
they fail to comply with USAID's and other U.S. Government Agencies
Policy requirements; and (d) certification of dependents who accompany
or visit EVs during their study in the U.S. USAID/Washington and
Missions also use the data collected through these forms to monitor
program performance and program completion, along with other management
interventions. The main purpose is to enable the transfer of effective
education and capacity interventions to host country governments while
supporting U.S. national interests. The secondary purpose is to improve
future planning and use of USAID resources. These objectives are
aligned with Congressional requirements under the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961, as amended. They are also closely aligned with objectives
of the Journey to Self-Reliance for countries where USAID operates.
II. Method of Collection
Electronic.
III. Data
Title: USAID program compliance and management information,
including Conditions of Sponsorship for U.S. Activities; Exchange
Visitors Biographical Data; Dependent Certification; Cost Repayment;
and Conditions of Sponsorship for Third Country Training forms.
OMB Number: Not assigned.
Expiration Date: Three years from issuance date.
Type of Request: Forms Renewal.
Affected Public: Host country nationals whose study in the U.S. is
funded by USAID.
Estimated Total Number of Affected Individual per Year: 1,500-2,000
Estimated Total Annual Burden: Less than 15 minutes per form, per
person. Most forms are prepared only once at the inception of the EV's
program and the form remains valid for the duration of the program.
Note: The use of forms is situational, not all forms apply to every
individual. For example, the Cost Repayment Form applies only to the
small number of individuals who overstay their authorized time in the
U.S. after completing their studies.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the compliance and management of USAID-
funded Exchange Visitor program; (2) the accuracy of USAID's estimate
of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of
information on respondents. Comments submitted in response to this
notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval
of this information collection. The comments will also become a matter
of public record.
Stephen Kowal,
Deputy Director, Office of Education, U.S. Agency for International
Development.
[FR Doc. 2019-19233 Filed 9-5-19; 8:45 am]
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