[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 61 (Thursday, April 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17184-17185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06663]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

[OMB Control Number 1615-0116]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without 
Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Request for Fee Waiver

AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of 
Homeland Security.

ACTION: 60-Day notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship 
and Immigration Services (USCIS) invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment upon this proposed extension of a currently 
approved collection of information. In accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the information collection notice is 
published in the Federal Register to obtain comments regarding the 
nature of the information collection, the categories of respondents, 
the estimated burden (i.e. the time, effort, and resources used by the 
respondents to respond), the estimated cost to the respondent, and the 
actual information collection instruments.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until 
June 1, 2021.

ADDRESSES: All submissions received must include the OMB Control Number 
1615-0116 in the body of the letter, the agency name and Docket ID 
USCIS-2010-0008. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal 
website at https://www.regulations.gov under e-Docket ID number USCIS-
2010-0008. USCIS is limiting communications for this Notice as a result 
of USCIS' COVID-19 response actions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: USCIS, Office of Policy and Strategy, 
Regulatory Coordination Division, Samantha Deshommes, Chief, telephone 
number (240) 721-3000 (This is not a

[[Page 17185]]

toll-free number. Comments are not accepted via telephone message). 
Please note contact information provided here is solely for questions 
regarding this notice. It is not for individual case status inquiries. 
Applicants seeking information about the status of their individual 
cases can check Case Status Online, available at the USCIS website at 
https://www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 
(TTY 800-767-1833).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments

    You may access the information collection instrument with 
instructions or additional information by visiting the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal site at: https://www.regulations.gov and entering 
USCIS-2010-0008 in the search box. All submissions will be posted, 
without change, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov, and will include any personal information you 
provide. Therefore, submitting this information makes it public. You 
may wish to consider limiting the amount of personal information that 
you provide in any voluntary submission you make to DHS. DHS may 
withhold information provided in comments from public viewing that it 
determines may impact the privacy of an individual or is offensive. For 
additional information, please read the Privacy Act notice that is 
available via the link in the footer of https://www.regulations.gov.
    Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected 
agencies should address one or more of the following four points:
    (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 
submission of responses.

Overview of This Information Collection

    (1) Type of Information Collection: Extension, Without Change, of a 
Currently Approved Collection.
    (2) Title of the Form/Collection: Request for Fee Waiver.
    (3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
DHS sponsoring the collection: I-912; USCIS.
    (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract: Primary: Individuals or households. USCIS 
uses the data collected on this form to verify that the applicant is 
unable to pay for the immigration benefit being requested. USCIS will 
consider waiving a fee for an application or petition when the 
applicant or petitioner clearly demonstrates that he or she is unable 
to pay the fee. Form I-912 standardizes the collection and analysis of 
statements and supporting documentation provided by the applicant with 
the fee waiver request. Form I-912 also streamlines and expedites 
USCIS's review, approval, or denial of the fee waiver request by 
clearly laying out the most salient data and evidence necessary for the 
determination of inability to pay. Officers evaluate all factors, 
circumstances, and evidence supplied in support of a fee waiver request 
when making a final determination. Each case is unique and is 
considered on its own merits. If the fee waiver is granted, the 
application will be processed. If the fee waiver is not granted, USCIS 
will notify the applicant and instruct him or her to file a new 
application with the appropriate fee.
    (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount 
of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: The estimated 
total number of respondents for the information collection Form I-912 
is 594,000 and the estimated hour burden per response is 1.17. The 
estimated total number of respondents for the information collection 
Non-form request for fee waiver is 8,400 and the estimated hour burden 
per response is 1.17. The estimated total number of respondents for the 
information collection 8 CFR 103.7(d) Director's exception request is 
128 and the estimated hour burden per response is 1.17.
    (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: The total estimated annual hour burden associated 
with this collection is 704,958 hours.
    (7) An estimate of the total public burden (in cost) associated 
with the collection: The estimated total annual cost burden associated 
with this collection of information is $2,259,480.

    Dated: March 26, 2021.
Samantha L. Deshommes,
Chief, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland 
Security.
[FR Doc. 2021-06663 Filed 3-31-21; 8:45 am]
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