2010-27596. Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

Proposed Projects:

Title: Reunification Procedures for Unaccompanied Alien Children.

OMB No.: 0970-0278.

Description: Following the passage of the 2002 Homeland Security Act (Pub. L. 107-296), the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), is charged with the care and placement of unaccompanied alien children in Federal custody, and implementing a policy for the release of these children, when appropriate, upon the request of suitable sponsors while awaiting immigration proceedings. In order for ORR to make determinations regarding the release of these children, the potential sponsors must meet certain conditions pursuant to section 462 of the Homeland Security Act and the Flores v. Reno Settlement Agreement No. CV85-4544-RJK (C.D. Cal. 1997).

The proposed information collection requests information to be utilized by ORR for determining the suitability of a sponsor/respondent for the release of a minor from ORR custody. The proposed instruments are the Sponsors Agreement to Conditions of Release, Verification of Release, Family Reunification Packet, and the Authorization for Release of Information.

Respondents: Sponsors requesting release of unaccompanied alien children to their custody.

Annual Burden Estimates

Instrument	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Total burden hours
Sponsor's Agreement to Conditions of Release	4,288	2	0.08	686.08
Verification of Release	4,288	1	0.17	728.96
Family Reunification Packet	4,288	18	0.04	3,087.36
Authorization for Release of Information	4,288	15	0.22	14,150.40

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 18,652.80.

In compliance with the requirements of Section 506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and Families is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described above. Copies of the proposed collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Administration, Office of Information Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. E-mail address: [e-mail]. All requests should be identified by the title of the information collection.

The Department specifically requests comments on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted within 60 days of this publication.

Dated: October 28, 2010.

Robert Sargis,

Reports Clearance Officer.