E8-28751. Agency Information Collection Activities: Extension of an Existing Information Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

60-Day Notice of Information Collection Under Review; Exemption from NSEERS Registration Requirements (File No. OMB-40); OMB Control No. 1653-0035.

The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE), has submitted the following information collection request for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for sixty days until February 2, 2009.

Written comments and suggestions regarding items contained in this notice, and especially with regard to the estimated public burden and associated response time should be directed to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Joseph M. Gerhart, Chief, Records Management Branch, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 500 12th Street, SW., Room 3138, Washington, DC 20536; [phone].

Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for sixty days until February 2, 2009. 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 agencies' 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 currently approved information collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Exemption from NSEERS Registration Requirements.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Homeland Security sponsoring the collection: No Agency Form Number (File No. OMB-40), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Individual or Households. This information collection allows an alien to seek an exemption from the NSEERS registration requirements by submitting a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement containing specific information.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 5,800 responses at 30 minutes (.5 hours) per response.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: 2,900 annual burden hours.

Comments and/or questions; requests for a copy of the proposed information collection instrument, with instructions; or inquiries for additional information should be directed to: Joseph M. Gerhart, Chief, Records Management Branch, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 500 12th Street, SW., Room 3138, Washington, DC 20536; [phone].

Dated: December 1, 2008.

Joseph M. Gerhart,

Chief, Records Management Branch, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,Department of Homeland Security.