00-16928. Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice of information collection under Review; Application for naturalization.

The Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service has submitted the following information collection request for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for “sixty days” until September 5, 2000.

This information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on January 8, 1999 at 64 FR 1219-1238, allowing for a 60-day public comment period on a proposed revision. Numerous comments were received by the public, prompting further program evaluation of the Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization). In response to the comments, INS is in the process of revising the current form. (See publication of draft N-400 in June 28, 2000 Federal Register notice at 65 FR 39936-39942.) Until such draft is finalized and approved by OMB, the INS is requesting a one year extension by OMB on the current form to allow for the necessary time to complete the revision of the form and modify the tracking system.

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 collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Application for Naturalization.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form N-400. Adjudications Division, Immigration and Naturalization Service.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Individuals or households. The information collected is used by the INS to determine eligibility for naturalization.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 700,000 responses at 4 hours and 30 minutes (4.5) per response.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: 3,031,000 annual burden hours.

If you have additional comments, suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions, or additional information, please contact Richard A. Sloan 202-514-3291, Director, Policy Directives and Instructions Branch, Immigration and Naturalization Service, U.S. Department of Justice, Room 5307, 425 I Street, NW., Washington, DC 20536. Additionally, comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time may also be directed to Mr. Richard A. Sloan.

If additional information is required contact: Mr. Robert B. Briggs, Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division, Suite 850, Washington Center, 1001 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20530.

Dated: June 29, 2000.

Richard A. Sloan,

Department Clearance Officer, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Department of Justice.