[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 12, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 22080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07663]



[[Page 22080]]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 12035]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Family 
Reunification Assistance for Afghan Parolee's Immediate Family Members 
Outside the United States

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State (Department) 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 June 
12, 2023.

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-2023-0011'' in the Search 
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment 
form.
     Regular Mail: Send written comments to: Public Comments 
Processing, Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts, 
Department of State, Washington, DC 20522-0603.
    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 Family Reunification Project Manager, Office 
of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts, Department of State, 
Washington, DC 20522-0603, who may be reached on 703-875-3087 or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
     Title of Information Collection: Family Reunification 
Assistance for Afghan Parolee's Immediate Family Members Located in 
Afghanistan.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0251.
     Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved 
collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of South and Central Asian 
Affairs, SCA/CARE.
     Form Number: DS-4317.
     Respondents: Respondents are Afghan nationals who were 
paroled into the United States and remain a parolee, or paroled into 
the United States and subsequently granted Temporary Protect Status 
(TPS).
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,000.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 3,000.
     Average Time per Response: 30 minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 1,500 hours.
     Frequency: On occasion.
     Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.
    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

    The U.S. Government agreed that Afghans paroled under Operation 
Allies Welcome (OAW) or those paroled then subsequently granted 
Temporary Protected Status (TPS), could request U.S. Government-
supported family reunification support for their spouses and unmarried 
children under 21 who remain physically present in Afghanistan. The 
Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) is using 
the DS-4317 to collect this information under emergency authorization 
from OMB. This authorization expires on 7/31/2023.
    State requires a publicly advertised system that is sustainable and 
efficient and that enables data validation with U.S. Government 
databases. The Department requests continuance of the existing 
authority to use the DS-4317 to acquire the most current and accurate 
data possible to inform its relocation assistance efforts. It will 
enable the Department to build a current picture of how many Afghans 
may be eligible for relocation and to progress with assisting them to 
depart Afghanistan. The online form helps avoid unstructured requests 
for assistance, such as those that arrive via email messages, which may 
not include important information, such as family size and their 
biodata, and which often require entry into other systems to facilitate 
responses. This form is integrated with other elements of the 
Department's evolving information technology platform, enhancing the 
efficient handling of individual cases.
    The information on this form is requested pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 301 
(Secretary of State's authorities with respect to Management of the 
Department of State), 22 U.S.C. 2651a (Organization of the Department 
of State), and 8 U.S.C. 1101-1537 (Immigration and Nationality Act of 
1952, as amended).

Methodology

    Information from applicants is collected through an electronic 
version of the DS-4317. Data from the application is stored in IRM's 
ServiceNow platform.

Kevin E. Bryant,
Deputy Director, Office of Directrices Management, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2023-07663 Filed 4-11-23; 8:45 am]
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