05-9667. Agency Information Collection Activities: Extension of an Existing Information Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

60-day notice of information collection under review; guidelines on producing master exhibits for asylum applications, File No. OMB-4.

The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) 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 July 15, 2005.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the collection of information should address one or more of the following four points:

(1) Evaluate whether the 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 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 collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Guidelines on Producing Master Exhibits for Asylum Applications.

(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-4. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Not-for-profit institutions. Master Exhibits are a means by which credible information on country conditions related to asylum applications are made available to Asylum and Immigration Officers for use in adjudicating cases.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 20 responses at 80 hours per response.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: 1,600 annual burden hours.

If you have comments, suggestions, or need a copy of the information collection instrument, you may contact Richard A. Sloan, Director, Regulatory Management Division, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 111 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20529.

Dated: May 10, 2005.

Richard A. Sloan,

Director, Regulatory Management Division, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.