[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 239 (Thursday, December 16, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71517-71518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27250]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Docket Number- DHS-2021-0052]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Office of the 
Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman Request for Case 
Assistance Form (DHS Form 7001)

AGENCY: Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: 60-Day notice and request for comments; extension of a 
currently approved collection, 1601-0004.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security 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.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until February 14, 
2022. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.1.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number Docket 
# DHS-2021-0052, at:
    [cir] Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Please follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number Docket # DHS-2021-0052. All comments received will be 
posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of the Citizenship and 
Immigration Services Ombudsman (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 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 
individuals and employers who are experiencing problems with USCIS 
during the processing of an immigration benefits.
    The CIS Ombudsman collects and processes requests for case 
assistance electronically on the DHS Form 7001 through the Case 
Assistance Analytics and Data Integration (CAADI) system. Per Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) requirements, a fillable PDF version of the form is 
also provided on the CIS Ombudsman's website. The PDF form may be 
completed online, printed and emailed or mailed to the CIS Ombudsman's 
office as indicated on the form. It is noted on the form that using the 
paper method may delay the processing time. After approval of the 
changes to the form as detailed below, the online form will be updated 
and posted on the CIS Ombudsman's website at http://www.dhs.gov/case-assistance for electronic submission of the form.
    Summary of proposed form changes:
    a. To save time for the customer:

[[Page 71518]]

    a. New and improved instructions make it clear when it is 
appropriate to submit a request for case assistance and who can submit 
a request.
    b. New instructions were added to the beginning of each section of 
the form; previously they were listed on a separate form.
    b. To reduce processing time:
    a. Form sections were re-ordered (see below) and expanded to obtain 
more information up front and in a logical order.
    b. Enhanced instructions clarify the supporting documentation 
needed to submit along with the form to reduce the number of times 
customers are asked to provide additional documentation.
    The revised DHS Form 7001 includes these re-ordered and named 
sections; 3 new sections are indicated in bold:

1. Actions Taken with USCIS for Resolution
    a. Other Actions Taken
2. Reasons for Requesting Case Assistance
3. Applications/Petitions Filed
4. Type of Benefit Sought
5. Name of Applicant or Petitioner
6. Contact Information
7. Identification
8. Supporting Documentation
9. Consent for Applicant/Petitioner
10. Consent for Attorney/Accredited Representative
11. Consent for Family Member Applicants
12. Beneficiary Information for Employment-Based Petitions

    OMB is particularly interested in comments that:
    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 the electronic 
submission of responses.

Analysis

    Agency: Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
    Title: Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman 
Request for Case Assistance (DHS Form 7001).
    OMB Number: 1601-0004.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Affected Public: Members of the Public.
    Number of Respondents: 18,000.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 1 Hour.
    Total Annual Reporting Burden Hours: 18,000.

Robert Dorr,
Executive Director, Business Management Directorate.
[FR Doc. 2021-27250 Filed 12-15-21; 8:45 am]
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