[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 249 (Monday, December 30, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72101-72102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-28017]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 10986]


30 Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Adoptive Family 
Relief Act Refund Application

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of 
proposed collection of information.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are 
requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals 
and organizations. The purpose of this Notice is to allow 30 days for 
public comment.

DATES: Submit comments directly to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) up to January 29, 2020.

ADDRESSES: 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:
     Email: [email protected]. You must include the 
DS form number, information collection

[[Page 72102]]

title, and the OMB control number in the subject line of your message.
     Fax: 202-395-5806. Attention: Desk Officer for Department 
of State.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and 
supporting documents, to Jorge Abudei, who may be reached at 202-485-
8915 or at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
     Title of Information Collection: Adoptive Family Relief 
Act Refund Application.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0223.
     Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: CA/C.
     Form Number: DS-7781.
     Respondents: Immigrant Visa Petitioners.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 20.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 20.
     Average Time Per Response: 5 Minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 1.6 Hours.
     Frequency: On Occasion.
     Obligation to respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a 
Benefit.
    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost 
burden for this 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 
information technology.
    Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are 
public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you 
should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your 
personal information, will be available for public review.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

    The Adoptive Family Relief Act (Pub. L. 114-70) amended Section 
221(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1201(c), 
to allow for the waiver or refund certain immigrant visa fees for a 
lawfully adopted child, or a child coming to the United States to be 
adopted by a United States citizen, subject to criteria prescribed by 
the Secretary of State. Over 350 American families have successfully 
adopted children from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, 
since September 25, 2013, they have not been able to bring their 
adoptive children home to the United States because the Democratic 
Republic of the Congo suspended the issuance of ``exit permits'' for 
these children. As the permit suspension drags on, however, American 
families are repeatedly paying visa renewal and related fees, while 
also continuing to be separated from their adopted children.
    The waiver or refund provides support and relief to American 
families seeking to bring their adoptive children home to the United 
States from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and families in 
situations similar to the one stipulated above. This form collects 
information to determine the extra fees these families have paid and 
refund them in accordance with the Adoptive Family Relief Act.

Methodology

    The collection will be hosted on the Department of State website to 
be printed, filled out, and eventually sent to the consular section 
where the adoption case was originally processed.

Douglass R. Benning,
Deputy Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-28017 Filed 12-27-19; 8:45 am]
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