Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;

Comment Request

ACTION: OMB Emergency Approval Request; Employment Eligibility

Confirmation Pilot Programs Employer Data Collection and Reporting.

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The Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service

(INS) 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 section

1320.13(a)(1)(ii) and (a)(2)(iii) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of

1995. The INS has determined that is cannot reasonably comply with the

normal clearance procedures under this Part because normal clearance

procedures are reasonably likely to prevent or disrupt the collection

of information. This information collection is needed prior to the

expiration of established time periods as set forth in Title IV,

Subtitle A of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant

Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA). The Attorney General requires the

INS to conduct three pilot programs of employment eligibility

confirmation beginning September 30, 1997. Without expedited approval

for the collection of necessary data from employers for initial sign-up

for a pilot, the programs cannot proceed. Therefore, OMB approval has

been requested by August 29, 1997. If granted, the emergency approval

is only valid for 90 days. All comments and/or questions pertaining to

this pending request for emergency approval must be directed to OMB,

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Ms. Debra

Bond, 202-395-7316, Department of Justice Desk Officer, Washington, DC

20503. Comments regarding the emergency submission of this information

collection may also be telefaxed to Ms. Bond at 202-395-6974.

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

this information collection is also being undertaken. During the

regular review period, the INS requests written comments and

suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the

proposed collection of information. Comments are encouraged and will be

accepted until November 3, 1997. During the 60-day regular review All

comments and suggestions, or questions regarding additional

information, to include obtaining a copy of the proposed information

collection instrument with instructions, should be directed to Mr.

Richard A. Sloan, 202-514-3291, Director, Policy Directives and

Instructions Branch, Immigration and Naturalization Service, U.S.

Department of Justice, Room 5307, 425 I Street, NW., Washington, DC

20536. Your comment 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 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: Employment Eligibility

Confirmation Pilot Programs Employer Data Collection and Reporting.

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

Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form I-876. Files and

Forms

[[Page 46377]]

Management--SAVE Program, Immigration and Naturalization Service.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as

well as a brief abstract: Primary: Business or other for-profit, and

Federal Government. The information gathered from employers using this

form will assist the INS in allocating resources and priorities in

conducting the three pilot programs mandated by Title IV, Subtitle A of

the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of

1996, Pub. L. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009.

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

of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 200,000

respondents at 1.5 hours per response.

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

with the collection: 300,000 annual burden hours.

If additional information is required during the first 60 days of

this same regular review period 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: August 26, 1997.

Robert B. Briggs,

Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice.

[FR Doc. 97-23169 Filed 8-29-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4410-18-M