83 FR 49120 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Revision of a Currently Approved Collection: Request for Fee Waiver; Exemptions

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

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 189 (September 28, 2018)

Page Range		49120-49121
FR Document		2018-21101

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 revision 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 83 Issue 189 (Friday, September 28, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 189 (Friday, September 28, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49120-49121]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21101]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

[OMB Control Number 1615-0116]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Revision of a Currently
Approved Collection: Request for Fee Waiver; Exemptions

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 revision 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
November 27, 2018.

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
website 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,

[[Page 49121]]

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 information about the status of their individual
cases can check Case Status Online, available at the USCIS website at
http://www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS National Customer Service
Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Reason for Changes

USCIS is permitted by regulations to waive certain fees provided
the party requesting the benefit is unable to pay the prescribed fee.
The proposed revision would reduce the evidence required for Form I-912
to only a person's household income and no longer require proof of
whether or not an individual receives a means-tested benefit. USCIS
policy since 2011 has been to permit a fee waiver where an applicant
received a means-tested benefit, even for a short period of time. USCIS
has found that the various income levels used in states to grant a
means-tested benefit result in inconsistent income levels being used to
determine eligibility for a fee waiver. Therefore, the revised form
will not permit a fee waiver based on receipt of a means- tested
benefit, but will retain the poverty-guideline threshold and financial
hardship criteria. If USCIS decides to proceed with the form revision
after considering public comments, USCIS will rescind Policy
Memorandum, PM-602-0011.1, Fee Waiver Guidelines as Established by the
Final Rule of the USCIS Fee Schedule; Revisions to Adjudicator's Field
Manual (AFM) Chapter 10.9, AFM Update AD11-26 (Mar. 13, 2011) and issue
new guidance on the documentation acceptable for individuals to present
to demonstrate that they are unable to pay a fee when requesting a fee
waiver. The applications and petitions that are eligible for a fee
waiver are provided in 8 CFR 103.7(c)(3) and will not be changed by
this form and policy change.

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: Revision of a Currently
Approved Collection.
(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Request for Fee Waiver.
(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the
DHS sponsoring the collection: 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. 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
USCIS's 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.
(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
350,000 and the estimated hour burden per response is 1.17 hours; for
the information collection DACA Exemptions the estimated total number
of respondents is 108 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 20 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 409,650 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 $1,312,980.

Dated: September 24, 2018.
Samantha L. Deshommes,
Chief, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy,
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland
Security.
[FR Doc. 2018-21101 Filed 9-27-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-97-P

49120 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 189 / Friday, September 28, 2018 / Notices

sponsor, and a person is not required to and its customers and stakeholders. Dated: September 20, 2018.
respond to, a collection of information They also allow feedback to contribute Christina A. Walsh,
unless it displays a valid OMB control directly to the improvement of program TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer,
number. The ICR documentation will be management. The solicitation of Information Technology.
available at http://www.reginfo.gov feedback targets areas such as: [FR Doc. 2018–21011 Filed 9–27–18; 8:45 am]
upon its submission to OMB. Therefore, timeliness, appropriateness, accuracy of BILLING CODE 9110–05–P
in preparation for OMB review and information, courtesy, efficiency of
approval of the following information service delivery, and resolution of
collection, TSA is soliciting comments issues with service delivery. Responses DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
to— are assessed to plan and inform efforts SECURITY
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed to improve or maintain the quality of
information requirement is necessary for service offered by TSA. If this U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
the proper performance of the functions information is not collected, vital Services
of the agency, including whether the feedback from customers and [OMB Control Number 1615–0116]
information will have practical utility; stakeholders on the Agency’s services
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the will be unavailable. Agency Information Collection
agency’s estimate of the burden; The Agency will only submit a Activities; Revision of a Currently
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and collection for approval under this Approved Collection: Request for Fee
clarity of the information to be generic clearance if it meets the Waiver; Exemptions
collected; and following conditions:
(4) Minimize the burden of the AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and
• The collections are voluntary.
collection of information on those who Immigration Services, Department of
• The collections are low-burden for
are to respond, including using Homeland Security.
respondents (based on considerations of
appropriate automated, electronic, ACTION: 60-Day notice.
total burden hours, total number of
mechanical, or other technological
respondents, or burden-hours per
collection techniques or other forms of SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland
respondent) and are low-cost for both
information technology. Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and
Consistent with the requirements of the respondents and the Federal
Immigration
Executive Order (E.O.) 13771, Reducing Government.
(USCIS) invites the general public and
Regulation and Controlling Regulatory • The collections are
other Federal agencies to comment upon
Costs, and E.O. 13777, Enforcing the noncontroversial and do not raise issues
this proposed revision of a currently
Regulatory Reform Agenda, TSA is also of concern to other Federal agencies.
approved collection of information. In
requesting comments on the extent to • Any collection is targeted to the
accordance with the Paperwork
which this request for information could solicitation of opinions from
Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the
be modified to reduce the burden on respondents who have experience with
information collection notice is
respondents. the program or may have experience
published in the Federal Register to
with the program in the near future.
obtain comments regarding the nature of
Information Collection Requirement • Personally identifiable information
the information collection, the
OMB Control Number 1652–0058; (PII) is collected only to the extent
categories of respondents, the estimated
Generic Clearance for the Collection of necessary and is not retained.
burden (i.e., the time, effort, and
Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service As a general matter, information resources used by the respondents to
Delivery. This information collection collections will not result in any new respond), the estimated cost to the
provides a means to gather qualitative system of records containing privacy respondent, and the actual information
customer and stakeholder feedback in information and will not ask questions collection instruments.
an efficient, timely manner, in of a sensitive nature, such as sexual
behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, DATES: Comments are encouraged and
accordance with the Administration’s
or other matters that are commonly will be accepted for 60 days until
commitment to improving service
considered private. November 27, 2018.
delivery.
From the TSA perspective, qualitative The aggregate burden estimate is ADDRESSES: All submissions received
customer and stakeholder feedback based on a review of past behavior of must include the OMB Control Number
provides useful insights on perceptions participating program offices and 1615–0116 in the body of the letter, the
and opinions. Unlike the results of several individual office estimates. The agency name and Docket ID USCIS–
statistical surveys, which yield likely respondents to this proposed 2010–0008. To avoid duplicate
quantitative results that can be information request are State, local, or submissions, please use only one of the
generalized to the population of study, tribal government and law enforcement; following methods to submit comments:
this qualitative feedback provides traveling public; individuals and (1) Online. Submit comments via the
insights into customer or stakeholder households; and businesses and Federal eRulemaking Portal website at
perceptions, experiences, and organizations. TSA estimates an average http://www.regulations.gov under
expectations regarding TSA products or of 10 annual surveys with e-Docket ID number USCIS–2010–0008;
services. Such feedback also provides approximately 94,100 responses total. (2) Mail. Submit written comments to
TSA with an early warning of issues TSA further estimates a frequency of DHS, USCIS, Office of Policy and
with service, and focuses attention on one response per request with an Strategy, Chief, Regulatory Coordination
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1

areas where improvement is needed average response time of 10 to 30 Division, 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
regarding communication, training, or minutes resulting in an estimated Washington, DC 20529–2140.
changes in operations that might annual hour burden of 13,317 hours. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
improve delivery of products or TSA will provide more refined USCIS, Office of Policy and Strategy,
services. These collections allow for individual estimates of burden in its Regulatory Coordination Division,
ongoing, collaborative, and actionable subsequent generic information Samantha Deshommes, Chief, 20
communications between the Agency collection applications. Massachusetts Avenue NW,

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Document Created: 2018-09-28 01:22:44
Document Modified: 2018-09-28 01:22:44

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		60-Day notice.
Dates		Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until November 27, 2018.
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 information about the status of their individual cases can check Case Status Online, available at the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833).
FR Citation		83 FR 49120

83 FR 49120 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Revision of a Currently Approved Collection: Request for Fee Waiver; Exemptions

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITYU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 189 (September 28, 2018)

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