Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice of Information Collection under Review: Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal.

The Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The INS published a

Federal Register

notice on August 7, 2000 at 65 FR 48252 to solicit public comments for a 60-day period regarding the proposed revision of Form I-589 (Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal). The proposed revisions included both the Instructions to completing the Form I-589 and the application form itself. At the close of the public comment period on October 6, 2000, the INS had received three responses regarding the proposed revisions. The public comments received have been addressed in the accompanying Supporting Statement.

The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments. The proposed draft of the revised information collection published with this notice is for public review and comment only and may not be used to obtain immigration benefits. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until April 5, 2001. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time, should be directed to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 725 17th Street, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20530; Attention: Lauren Wittenberg, Department of Justice Desk Officer; 202-395-4318.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information 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:

Revision of currently approved collection.

(2)

Title of the Form/Collection:

Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal.

(3)

Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Justice sponsoring the collection:

Form I-589, Office of International Affairs, Asylum Division, Immigration and Naturalization Service.

(4)

Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract:

Primary: Individuals or Households. The information collected on this form will be used to determine whether an alien applying for asylum and/or withholding of removal in the United States is classifiable as a refugee, or eligible for protection under the Convention Against Torture, and is eligible to remain in the United States.

(5)

An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond:

53,000 responses at 12 hours per response.

(6)

An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection:

636,000 annual burden hours.

If you have additional comments, suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions, or additional information, please contact Richard A. Sloan 202-514-3291, Director, Policy Directives and Instructions Branch, Immigration and Naturalization Service, U.S. Department of Justice, Room 4034, 425 I Street, NW., Washington, DC 20536. Additionally, comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time may also be directed to Mr. Richard A. Sloan.

If additional information is required contact: Mr. Robert B. Briggs, Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Suite 1220, Washington, DC 20530.

Dated: February 27, 2001.

Richard A. Sloan,

Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service.

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[FR Doc. 01-5296 Filed 3-5-01; 8:45 am]

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