[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 204 (Monday, October 24, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64302-64303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23070]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 11888]


30-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 and submission to OMB of 
proposed collection of information.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State has submitted the information 
collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for approval. 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.

[[Page 64303]]


DATES: Submit comments up to November 23, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

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.
    Additionally, The Emergency Security Supplemental Appropriations 
Act (ESSAA), signed into law on July 30, 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 renewal.

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. 2022-23070 Filed 10-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-06-P