[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43592-43593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15592]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 11779]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Petition To 
Classify Special Immigrant Under INA 203(b)(4) as an Employee or Former 
Employee of the U.S. Government Abroad, or the Surviving Spouse or 
Child of an Employee of the U.S. Government Abroad

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 
September 19, 2022.

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-2022-0017 in the Search 
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment 
form.
     Email: [email protected].
    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 Tonya Whigham who may be reached at 
[email protected] or at 202-485-7586.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
     Title of Information Collection: Petition to Classify 
Special Immigrant Under INA 203(b)(4) as an Employee or Former Employee 
of the U.S. Government Abroad, or the Surviving Spouse or Child of an 
Employee of the U.S. Government Abroad.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0082.
     Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: CA/VO.
     Form Number: DS-1884.
     Respondents: Aliens petitioning for immigrant visas under 
INA 203(b)(4) as a special immigrant described in INA section 
101(a)(27)(D).
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 600.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 600.
     Average Time per Response: 10 minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 100 hours.
     Frequency: Once per petition.
     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

    DS-1884 solicits information from applicants claiming employment-
based immigrant visa preference under section 203(b)(4) of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act based on qualification as a special 
immigrant described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act. An applicant may file the DS-1884 petition within one 
year of notification by the Department of State that the Secretary has 
approved a recommendation for special immigrant status. DS-1884 
solicits information that will assist the consular officer in ensuring 
that the applicant is statutorily qualified to receive such status, 
including meeting the years of service and exceptional service 
requirements.

[[Page 43593]]

    Additionally, The Emergency Security Supplemental Appropriations 
Act (ESSAA), signed into law on July 31, 2021, amends section 
101(a)(27)(D) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to extend 
eligibility for special immigrant status to the surviving spouse and 
children of an employee of the United States government abroad, 
provided the employee performed faithful service for not less than 15 
years or was killed in the line of duty regardless of years of service. 
These provisions are effective as of June 30, 2021, and apply 
retroactively. Pursuant to INA section 204(a)(1)(G)(ii), applicants 
seeking classification under INA 203(b)(4) to obtain special immigrant 
status under INA section 101(a)(27)(D) must file a petition with the 
Secretary of State by submitting Form DS-1884. Form DS-1884 was amended 
under emergency authority on April 26, 2022, to accommodate this new 
category of applicants. The Department is proposing to make these 
emergency amendments permanent as part of this publication.

Methodology

    The applicant can obtain a paper copy of the petition from consular 
posts abroad. The applicant can obtain an electronic copy through the 
Department's website, travel.state.gov. The petition available on the 
Department's website allows an applicant to complete the petition 
electronically and then submit the completed form to post.

Julie M. Stufft,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2022-15592 Filed 7-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-06-P