Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;

Comment Request

ACTION: Request OMB Emergency Approval; Affidavit of Support Under

Section 213A of the Act.

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The Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service

has submitted the following information collection request (ICR)

utilizing emergency review procedures, to the Office of Management and

Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection was previously

published in the Federal Register on December 26, 1996 at 61 FR 68056,

allowing for a 60-day comment period and subsequently withdrawn by the

Immigration and Naturalization Service (Service). One comment letter

was received by OMB and the Service prior to withdrawal of this

information collection. The comments have been reconciled with OMB and

the author and have been incorporated in this new collection as

appropriate.

The proposed information collection is now published to obtain

comments from the public and affected agencies. OMB approval has been

requested by June 20, 1997. If granted, the emergency approval is only

valid for 180 days. A copy of this ICR, with applicable supporting

documentation, may be obtained by calling the Immigration and

Naturalization Service, Director, Policy Directives and Instructions

Branch, Richard Sloan (202-616-7600).

Comments and questions about the ICR listed below should be

forwarded to OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,

Attention: Ms. Debra Bond, 202-395-7316, Department of Justice Desk

Officer, Room 10235, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC

20503.

During the first 60 days of this same period a regular review of

this information collection is also being undertaken. Comments are

encouraged and will be accepted until August 25, 1997. 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 agencies 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: New Information Collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Affidavit of Support Under

Section 213A of the Act.

[[Page 34486]]

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the

Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form I-864.

Adjudications 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 form

is mandated by law for a petitioning relative to submit an affidavit on

their relative's behalf. The executed form creates a contract between

the sponsor and any entity that provides means-tested public benefits.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount

of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 610,000

respondents at 1.15 hours per response.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated

with the collection: 701,500 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 Mr. Richard A. Sloan, 202-616-

7600, Director, Policy Directives and Instructions Branch, Immigration

and Naturalization Service, U.S. Department of Justice, Room 5307, 425

I Street, NW., Washington, DC 20536.

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,

Suite 850, Washington Center, 1001 G Street, NW, Washington DC 20530.

Dated: June 20, 1997.

Robert B. Briggs,

Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice.

[FR Doc. 97-16718 Filed 6-25-97; 8:45 am]

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