Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

30-Day Notice of Information Collection under Review: The Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems (SEVIS).

The Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The INS published a notice in the Federal Register on May 16, 2002 at 67 FR 34956. The notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment period on the extension of a currently approved information collection. No public comments were received on this information collection. The information collection was granted temporary approval by OMB (with terms) on June 27, 2002 and assigned an approval number of 1115-0252 with an expiration date of December 31, 2002. The INS now requests a 3-year extension of the currently information collection.

The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments to satisfy the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act for an extension of this information collection for a period not to exceed three years. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until October 28, 2002. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time, should be directed to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Department of Justice Desk Officer, 725—17th Street, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20530.

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 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 of a currently approved information collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: No Agency Form Number (File No. OMB-30); 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. This system will be used by institutions and sponsors to provide notification, reports, updates, and data required by regulations on the institution and program, as well as on student and exchange visitors. Additionally the Service and the Department of State will use SEVIS to adjudicate benefits and services, track student and exchange visitor data, and to monitor institution and program sponsor compliance with current regulations.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 625,135 applicants and 5 responses at 20 minutes (.333 hours) per response.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: 1,040,850 annual burden hours.

If you have additional comments, suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions, or additional information, please contact Richard A. Sloan 202-514-3291. Director, Regulations and Forms Services Division, Immigration and Naturalization Service, U.S. Department of Justice, Room 4034, 425 I Street NW., Washington, DC 20536. Additionally, comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time may also be directed to Mr. Richard A. Sloan.

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, Patrick Henry Building, 601 D Street, NW., St. 1600, Washington, DC 20530.