[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 41 (Thursday, February 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14897-14898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04265]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

[OMB Control Number 1615-0060]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without 
Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Medical Certification for 
Disability Exceptions

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

ACTION: 60-Day notice.

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

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. 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 
April 29, 2024.

ADDRESSES: All submissions received must include the OMB Control Number 
1615-0060 in the body of the letter, the agency name and Docket ID 
USCIS-2008-0021. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal 
website at https://www.regulations.gov under e-Docket ID number USCIS-
2008-0021.

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 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-2008-0021in the search box. Comments must be submitted in 
English, or an English translation must be provided. 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: Medical Certification for 
Disability Exceptions.
    (3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
DHS sponsoring the collection: N-648; 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 Form N-648 to substantiate a claim for an

[[Page 14898]]

exception to the requirements of section 312(a) of the Act. Only 
medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, or clinical psychologists 
licensed to practice in the United States are authorized to certify 
Form N-648. By certifying the form, the doctor states that an applicant 
filing an Application for Naturalization, Form N-400, is unable to 
complete the English and/or civics requirements because of a physical 
or developmental disability or mental impairment(s).
    (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 N-648 
Medical Professional is 19,527 and the estimated hour burden per 
response is 2 hours. The estimated total number of respondents for the 
information collection N-648 Applicant is 19,527 and the estimated hour 
burden per response is 8 hours.
    (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 195,270 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 $17,775,089.

    Dated: February 14, 2024.
Samantha L. Deshommes,
Chief, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland 
Security.
[FR Doc. 2024-04265 Filed 2-28-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-97-P