2023-02886. 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 up to March 13, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Direct requests for additional information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and supporting documents, to Andrea Lage, who may be reached on [e-mail] or at 202-485-7586.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

• Title of Information Collection: JADE Act Questionnaire.

• OMB Control Number: 1405-0236.

• Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.

• Originating Office: CA/VO.

• Form Number: DS-5537.

• Respondents: Burmese Application 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) 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 U.S. 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 this law.

Methodology

All Burmese nationals applying for a U.S. visa will be required to complete and submit the JADE Act questionnaire. Consular officers will use the form to identify potential visa ineligibility under the JADE Act.

Julie M. Stufft,

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