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 and notification of reimbursement of means-

tested benefits.

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The Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service

(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

5 CFR 1320.13 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The proposed information collection is now published to obtain

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

requested by April 10, 1998. 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) 514-3291.

Comments and questions about the emergency information collection

request listed below should be forwarded to OMB, Office Information and

Regulatory Affairs, (202) 395-7316, Attention: Department of Justice

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

DC 20503. Additionally, comments may be submitted to OMB via facsimile

to (202) 395-7285.

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 June 1, 1998. 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: Extension of a currently

approved information collection.

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

Section 213A of the Act and Notification of Reimbursement of Means-

Tested Benefits.

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

Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Forms I-864 and I-

864A. 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: 590,000

respondents at 1.15 hours per response for Form I-864 and 15 minutes

(.25) per response for Form I-864A.

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

with the collection: 558,500 annual burden hours.

If you have additional comments, suggestions, or need a copy of the

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proposed information collection instrument with instructions, or

additional information, please contact 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. Comments may also be submitted to

INS via facsimile to (202) 305-0143.

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.

Comments may also be submitted to DOJ via facsimile to (202) 514-1534.

Dated: March 27, 1998.

Robert B. Briggs

Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice

[FR Doc. 98-8601 Filed 4-1-98; 8:45 am]

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