2018-23520. 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: JADE Act Questionnaire

ACTION:

Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of proposed collection of information.

SUMMARY:

The Department of State has submitted the information collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we are requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals and organizations. The purpose of this Notice is to allow 30 days for public comment.

DATES:

Submit comments directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) up to November 28, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

Direct comments to the Department of State Desk Officer in the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). You may submit comments by the following methods:

• Email: [e-mail]. You must include the DS form number, information collection title, and the OMB control number in the subject line of your message.
• Fax: [phone]. Attention: Desk Officer for Department of State.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

• Title of Information Collection: JADE Act Questionnaire.
• OMB Control Number: None.
• Type of Request: New Collection.
• Originating Office: CA/VO/L/R.
• Form Number: DS-5537.
• Respondents: Burmese Applicants for U.S. Visas.
• Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,500.
• Estimated Number of Responses: 20,500.
• Average Time per Response: 30 minutes.
• Total Estimated Burden Time: 10,250 hours.
• Frequency: Once per application.
• Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit.

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:

• Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
• Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
• Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your personal information, will be available for public review.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

The Tom Lantos Block Burmese Jade Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts (JADE) Act of 2008, Public Law 110-286, renders certain individuals involved in specified Burmese organizations or activities ineligible for U.S. visas, including: Leaders of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the Burmese military, or the Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA); officials of the SPDC, the Burmese military, or the USDA involved in human rights violations and impeding democracy in Burma; and Burmese persons who provided substantial economic or political support to the SPDC, Burmese military, or USDA. Immediate family members of these individuals are also ineligible for United States visas. Department of State consular officers will use the information provided to evaluate and adjudicate the individual applicant's eligibility for a visa consistent with these requirements.

Methodology

Visa applicants from Burma will fill out and submit the supplemental form and provide it to consular officers. Consular officers will use the form to screen for potential visa ineligibility under the JADE Act.

Edward J. Ramotowski,

Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State.