83 FR 33244 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Case Assistance Form (Ombudsman Form DHS-7001, and Instructions)

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 137 (July 17, 2018)

The DHS Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman will submit the following Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collected on this form will allow the CIS Ombudsman to identify the problem such as: (1) A case problem which is a request for information about a case that was filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) (``case problem''); or (2) the identification of a systemic issue that may or may not pertain to an individual case which the individual, attorney or employer is seeking to bring to the attention of the CIS Ombudsman (``trend''). DHS previously published this information collection request (ICR) in the Federal Register on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 for a 60-day public comment period. One comment was received by DHS. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 17, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33244-33246]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15172]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY


Agency Information Collection Activities: Case Assistance Form 
(Ombudsman Form DHS-7001, and Instructions)

AGENCY: Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman, 
Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

[[Page 33245]]


ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for comments; extension of a 
currently approved collection, 1601-0004.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The DHS Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services 
(CIS) Ombudsman will submit the following Information Collection 
Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review 
and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. 
The information collected on this form will allow the CIS Ombudsman to 
identify the problem such as: (1) A case problem which is a request for 
information about a case that was filed with U.S. Citizenship and 
Immigration Services (USCIS) (``case problem''); or (2) the 
identification of a systemic issue that may or may not pertain to an 
individual case which the individual, attorney or employer is seeking 
to bring to the attention of the CIS Ombudsman (``trend''). DHS 
previously published this information collection request (ICR) in the 
Federal Register on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 for a 60-day public comment 
period. One comment was received by DHS. The purpose of this notice is 
to allow an additional 30 days for public comments.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until August 16, 
2018. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.1.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, OMB. Comments should be addressed to OMB Desk 
Officer, DHS and sent via electronic mail to 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CIS Ombudsman was created under section 
452 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296) to: (1) 
Assist individuals and employers in resolving problems with the USCIS; 
(2) to identify areas in which individuals and employers have problems 
in dealing with USCIS; and (3) to the extent possible, propose changes 
in the administrative practices of USCIS to mitigate problems. This 
form is used by an applicant who is experiencing problems with USCIS 
during the processing of an immigration benefit.
    The information collected on this form will allow the CIS Ombudsman 
to identify the problem such as: (1) A case problem which is a request 
for information about a case that was filed with USCIS (``case 
problem''); or (2) the identification of a systemic issue that may or 
may not pertain to an individual case which the individual, attorney or 
employer is seeking to bring to the attention of the CIS Ombudsman 
(``trend'').
    For case problems, the CIS Ombudsman will refer case specific 
issues to the Customer Assistance Office for USCIS for further 
research, and review.
    For trends received, the CIS Ombudsman notes the systemic issue 
identified in the correspondence which may or may not be incorporated 
into future recommendations submitted to the Director of USCIS pursuant 
to section 452(d)(4) of Public Law 107-296.
    The use of this form provides the most efficient means for 
collecting and processing the required data. The CIS Ombudsman also 
employs the use of information technology in collecting and processing 
information by offering the option for electronic submission of the DHS 
Form 7001 through the Ombudsman Online Case Assistance System. Per PRA 
requirements, a fillable PDF version of the form is provided on the CIS 
Ombudsman's website. The PDF form can be completed online, printed out 
and sent to the CIS Ombudsman's office at the address indicated on the 
form. It is noted on the form that using the paper method can result in 
significant processing delays for the CIS Ombudsman's office to provide 
the requested case assistance. After approval of the changes to the 
form detailed in this supporting statement, both the online form and 
PDF will be updated and posted on the Ombudsman's website at http://www.dhs.gov/case-assistance for submission of the form.
    The assurance of confidentiality provided to the respondents for 
this information collection is provided by: (a) The CIS Ombudsman 
authorizing legislation and mandate as established by Homeland Security 
Act of 2002 at Section 452; (b) the Privacy Impact Assessment and the 
(c) Systems of Records Notice titled ``Department of Homeland Security 
Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman--001 Online Ombudsman 
Form DHS-7001 and Ombudsman Case Assistance Online System of Records''. 
The DHS Privacy Office will receive the entire package of documents for 
this information collection to assure authorization for renewal of the 
collection.
    The Ombudsman Form DHS-7001 (PDF) and the Ombudsman Case Assistance 
Online System are constructed in compliance with all applicable DHS 
Privacy Office, DHS CIO, DHS Records Management, and OMB regulations 
regarding data collection, use, storage, and retrieval. The proposed 
public use data collection system is therefore intended to be 
distributed for public use primarily by electronic means with limited 
paper distribution and processing of paper forms.
    The Ombudsman Form DHS-7001 (PDF) and the Online Ombudsman Form 
DHS-7001 (Ombudsman Case Assistance Online System) have been 
constructed in compliance with regulations and authorities under the 
purview of the DHS Privacy Office, DHS CIO, DHS Records Management, and 
OMB regulations regarding data collection, use, sharing, storage, 
information security and retrieval of information.
    There has been an increase of 3,200 in the estimated annual burden 
hours previously reported for this information collection. The increase 
in burden hours is a reflection of agency estimates.
    There is no change in the information being collected, however 
there have been cosmetic changes to the form including punctuation, 
formatting, and text changes to make the form more understandable and 
streamlined for use by respondents. In 2015, the following changes were 
made:
    a. Number of response fields was reduced from 13 to 12 and arranged 
in a way that streamlines completion, submission and processing of the 
form.
    b. The title of the form was changed from ``Case Problem Submission 
Worksheet (CIS Ombudsman Form DHS-7001)'' to ``Case Assistance Form 
(Ombudsman Form DHS-7001)''.
    c. The name of the system was changed from ``Virtual Ombudsman 
System'' to ``Ombudsman Case Assistance Online System''.
    The following narrative explains the changes made on the form in 
2015 and the corresponding instructions. The ORIGINAL 7001 form had the 
sections arranged in the following order:
    1. Name: Please identify the individual or employer encountering 
difficulties with USCIS (applicant/beneficiary/petitioner).
    2. Contact Information: Please provide information on the 
individual or employer encountering difficulties with USCIS (applicant/
beneficiary/petitioner).
    3. Date of Birth.
    4. Country of Birth and Citizenship.
    5. Alien Registration Number (A-Number); The A-number appears in 
the following format: A123-456-789.
    6. Person Preparing This Form: Please indicate who is completing 
this form.
    7. Applications/Petitions Filed: List all applications and/or 
petitions

[[Page 33246]]

pending with USCIS related to your case inquiry.
    8. Type of Immigration Benefit: Please provide the type of 
immigration benefit sought from USCIS.
    9. Reason for Inquiry: Please indicate if any of the options apply. 
Provide a description in section 10.
    10. Description: Describe the difficulties experienced with USCIS. 
Attach additional pages if needed.
    11. Prior Actions Taken: Check all that apply: Please describe the 
response USCIS provided and attach any relevant correspondence.
    12. Consent: If you are the beneficiary of an immigration petition, 
consent of the individual who submitted the petition on your behalf is 
required. The petitioner must sign.
    13. Attorney or Accredited Representative: Please complete this 
section if you are an attorney, a representative of an organization, an 
accredited representative, or anyone else preparing this form on behalf 
of the individual or employer encountering difficulties with USCIS.
    The AMENDED 7001 form has the sections arranged in the following 
order:
    1. Name: Please identify the name of the individual or employer 
(applicant/beneficiary/petitioner) encountering or difficulties with 
USCIS. Do not enter the attorney/law firm's name here.
    2. Date of Birth: Country of Birth: Country of Citizenship.
    3. Alien Registration Number (A-Number); The A-number appears in 
the following format: A123-456-789.
    4. Contact Information: Please provide the contact information of 
the individual or employer (applicant/beneficiary/petitioner) 
encountering difficulties with USCIS. Please include the primary E-Mail 
address for the CIS Ombudsman to provide updates.
    5. Applications/Petitions Filed: List all applications and/or 
petitions pending with USCIS related to your case inquiry.
    6. Type of Immigration Benefit Sought: Please provide the type of 
immigration benefit sought from USCIS.
    7. Reason for Inquiry/Case Assistance Request: Check all that 
apply. Provide a description in section 8 and add documentation related 
to your inquiry.
    8. Description of your Case Problem: Describe the difficulties 
experienced with USCIS including all responses USCIS provided. Attach 
relevant correspondence concerning actions taken to resolve the issue 
before submitting with the Ombudsman's Office including: Receipt 
notices; requests for evidence; decisions; notices and any other 
correspondence from USCIS about your case. Attach additional pages if 
needed.
    9. Prior Actions Taken to Remedy the Problem:
    Check all that apply and provide the additional information 
requested for each selection in the space provided. Note that if 
selecting Option a ``Visited USCIS My Case Status at www.uscis.gov'', 
you must indicate what additional actions (b through g) were taken to 
remedy the problem before submitting the form to the Ombudsman.
    a. Visited USCIS My Case Status at http://www.uscis.gov/.
    b. Contacted the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) for 
information and/or assistance regarding this case at their toll-free 
number 1-800-375-5283. Provide SRMT Number:
    c. Attended an InfoPass Appointment with USCIS. Provide InfoPass 
Number:
    d. Sent an Email to USCIS. Provide date E-Mail sent: Provide USCIS 
Email address:
    e. Contacted a U.S. Government Department or Agency for assistance. 
Provide name and contact information:
    f. Contacted a U.S. Congressional Representative for assistance. 
Provide name and contact information:
    g. Other. Please describe.
    10. Person Preparing This Form:
    Please indicate who is completing this form.
    11. Attorney or Accredited Representative:
    Please complete this section if you are an attorney, a 
representative of an organization, an accredited representative, or 
anyone else preparing this form on behalf of the individual or employer 
encountering difficulties with USCIS. Please attach copy of your Form 
G-28.
    12. Consent: Please note that if you are the beneficiary of an 
immigration petition, consent of the individual or employer that 
submitted the petition on your behalf is required. The petitioner must 
sign.
    The instructions have been updated to reflect the electronic 
submission options as detailed in the previous paragraphs.
    Instructions for electronic submission will be posted on the CIS 
Ombudsman website at www.dhs.gov/cisombudsman. The electronic version 
of the form was developed by DHS OCIO (Office of the Chief Information 
Officer) based upon the approved version of the amended 7001 form as 
described herein. Sample screenshots were provided with the 2015 
submission.
    There is no change in the terms of clearance from the previously 
approved collection as addressed by the: (a) Privacy Impact Assessment 
and (b) Systems of Records Notice titled ``Department of Homeland 
Security Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman--001 Online 
Ombudsman Form DHS-7001 and Ombudsman Case Assistance Online System of 
Records''.
    This is an extension of a currently approved collection, 1601-0004. 
DHS previously published this ICR in the Federal Register on Tuesday, 
April 24, 2018 at 83 FR 17833 for a 60-day public comment period, and 
is soliciting public comment for another 30 days. OMB is particularly 
interested in comments which:
    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 
submissions of responses.

Analysis

    Agency: Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services 
Ombudsman, DHS.
    Title: Case Assistance Form (Ombudsman Form DHS-7001, and 
Instructions).
    OMB Number: 1601-0004.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Number of Respondents: 12,000.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 1 hour.
    Total Burden Hours: 12,000.

    Dated: June 20, 2018.
Melissa Bruce,
Executive Director, Enterprise Business Management Office.
[FR Doc. 2018-15172 Filed 7-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-9B-P