[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 19, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9516-9517]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03249]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 11024]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Affidavit of 
Relationship

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

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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 60 days for 
public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to April 
20, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Web: Persons with access to the internet may comment on 
this notice by going to www.Regulations.gov. You can search for the 
document by entering ``Docket Number: DOS-2020-0002'' in the Search 
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment 
form.
     Email: [email protected].
     Regular Mail: Send written comments to Sumitra Siram, PRM/
A, 2025 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20520.
    You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and the 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 collection instrument and 
supporting documents, to Sumitra Siram, Program Officer, who may be 
reached on 202-453-9250 or at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
     Title of Information Collection: Affidavit of 
Relationship.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0206.
     Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: Office of Admissions, Bureau of 
Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM/A).
     Form Number: DS-7656.
     Respondents: Persons admitted to the United States as 
refugees or granted asylum in the United States who are claiming a 
relationship with family members overseas (spouse, unmarried children 
under age 21, and/or parents) in order to assist the U.S. Government in 
determining whether those family members are qualified to access the 
U.S. Refugee Admissions Program through the family reunification access 
priority.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 300.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 300.
     Average Time per Response: One hour.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 300 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

[[Page 9517]]

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 Affidavit of Relationship (AOR) is required by the Department 
of State to establish qualification for access to the Priority-3 (P-3) 
Family Reunification category of the United States Refugee Admissions 
Program (USRAP). The P-3 category, along with the other categories of 
cases that have access to USRAP, is outlined in the annual Report to 
Congress on Proposed Refugee Admissions, which is submitted on behalf 
of the President in fulfillment of the requirements of Section 207(d) 
of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157), and authorized 
by the annual Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions. The P-3 
category is available to certain family members of qualifying 
``anchors'' (persons already admitted to the U.S. as refugees or who 
were granted asylum in the United States, including persons who may now 
be lawful permanent residents or U.S. citizens). Qualifying family 
members of U.S.-based anchors include spouses, unmarried children under 
age 21, and parents. Eligible P-3 nationalities are determined on an 
annual basis by the President.
    In order to access the USRAP through P-3, an applicant must have an 
Affidavit of Relationship (AOR) filed on his or her behalf by an 
eligible anchor. The AOR also informs the anchor that DNA evidence of 
all claimed parent-child relationships between the anchor relative and 
parents and/or unmarried children under 21 is required as a condition 
of access to P-3 processing; it further informs the anchor that the 
costs of DNA testing will be borne by the anchor or his or her family 
members who may apply for access to refugee processing, or their 
derivative beneficiaries, as the case may be. Successful applicants may 
be eligible for reimbursement of DNA test costs.

Methodology

    This information collection currently involves the limited use of 
electronic techniques. An anchor may complete an AOR at any local 
office of a Resettlement Agency (RA) that has a cooperative agreement 
with the Department of State to assist refugees who have been resettled 
in the United States. In order to file an AOR, an anchor must be at 
least 18 years of age and have been admitted to the United States as a 
refugee or granted asylum in the United States no more than five years 
prior to the filing of the AOR. The AOR is available electronically, is 
completed electronically with the assistance of RA staff, and is 
submitted electronically by RA staff to a Department of State-
contracted facility, where it is uploaded into the USRAP case 
management system. In addition, the RA local office prints a copy for 
the respondent's ink signature, then submits the signed form to the RA 
headquarters.

Andrew Veprek,
Deputy Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-03249 Filed 2-18-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-33-P