82 FR 47234 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection; Request for Fee Waiver; Request for Fee Exemption

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 195 (October 11, 2017)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment upon this proposed extension of a currently approved collection of information. 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.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 11, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47234-47235]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21891]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

[OMB Control Number 1615-0116]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Extension, Without 
Change, of a Currently Approved Collection; Request for Fee Waiver; 
Request for Fee Exemption

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

ACTION: 60-Day notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship 
and Immigration (USCIS) invites the general public and other Federal 
agencies to comment upon this proposed extension of a currently 
approved collection of information. 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 
December 11, 2017.

ADDRESSES: All submissions received must include the OMB Control Number 
1615-0116 in the body of the letter, the agency name and Docket ID 
USCIS-2010-0008. To avoid duplicate submissions, please use only one of 
the following methods to submit comments:
    (1) Online. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal Web 
site at http://www.regulations.gov under e-Docket ID number USCIS-2010-
0008;
    (2) Mail. Submit written comments to DHS, USCIS, Office of Policy 
and Strategy, Chief, Regulatory Coordination Division, 20 Massachusetts 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20529-2140.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: USCIS, Office of Policy and Strategy, 
Regulatory Coordination Division, Samantha Deshommes, Chief, 20 
Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20529-2140, telephone number 
202-272-8377 (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

[[Page 47235]]

information about the status of their individual cases can check Case 
Status Online, available at the USCIS Web site at http://www.uscis.gov, 
or call the USCIS National Customer Service 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: http://www.regulations.gov and enter USCIS-
2010-0008 in the search box. Regardless of the method used for 
submitting comments or material, all submissions will be posted, 
without change, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://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 http://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: Request for Fee Waiver; Request 
for Fee Exemption.
    (3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
DHS sponsoring the collection: Form I-912; 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 data collected on this form to verify that the applicant is 
unable to pay for the immigration benefit being requested. USCIS will 
consider waiving a fee for an application or petition when the 
applicant or petitioner clearly demonstrates that he or she is unable 
to pay the fee. The regulations do not require that requests for fee 
waivers be submitted on a particular form prescribed by DHS, thus the 
applicant may request that the fee be waived by attaching a written 
request to the front of their immigration benefit request. Fee waivers 
may also be requested by completing and submitting Form I-912. Form I-
912 standardizes the collection and analysis of statements and 
supporting documentation provided by the applicant with the fee waiver 
request. Form I-912 also streamlines and expedites the USCIS review, 
approval, or denial of the fee waiver request by clearly laying out the 
most salient data and evidence necessary for the determination of 
inability to pay. Officers evaluate all factors, circumstances, and 
evidence supplied in support of a fee waiver request when making a 
final determination. Each case is unique and is considered on its own 
merits. If the fee waiver is granted, the application will be 
processed. If the fee waiver is not granted, USCIS will notify the 
applicant and instruct him or her to file a new application with the 
appropriate fee. Certain applications and petitions may allow for 
filing of fee exemptions; the specific forms have information regarding 
the option and the requirements to request an exemption.
    (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 I-912 is 
594,000 and the estimated hour burden per response is 1.17 hours; for 
the information collection Non-Form Request for Fee Waiver the 
estimated total number of respondents is 8,400 and the estimated hour 
burden per response is 1.17 hours; for the information collection 8 CFR 
103.7(d) Director's exception request the estimated total number of 
respondents is 128 and the estimated hour burden per response is 1.17 
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 704,957 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 $2,259,780.

    Dated: October 5, 2017.
Samantha Deshommes,
Chief, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland 
Security.
[FR Doc. 2017-21891 Filed 10-10-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9111-97-P