2014-15829. Agency Information Collection Activities: DNA Evidence in Refugee Processing: Forms; G-1294, DNA Collection Consent Form (Laboratory Test) and G-1295, DNA Collection Consent Form (Rapid Test): New Collection

ACTION:

60-Day Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment upon this proposed new collection of information. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the information collection notice is published in the Federal Register to obtain comments regarding the nature of the information collection, the categories of respondents, the estimated burden (i.e., the time, effort, and resources used by the respondents to respond), the estimated cost to the respondent, and the actual information collection instruments.

DATES:

Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until September 8, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

All submissions received must include the OMB Control Number 1615-New in the subject box, the agency name and Docket ID USCIS-2014-0002. To avoid duplicate submissions, please use only one of the following methods to submit comments:

(1) Online. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal Web site at www.regulations.gov under e-Docket ID number USCIS-2014-0002;

(2) Email. Submit comments to [e-mail];

(3) Mail. Submit written comments to DHS, USCIS, Office of Policy and Strategy, Chief, Regulatory Coordination Division, 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20529-2140.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments

Regardless of the method used for submitting comments or material, all submissions will be posted, without change, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov,, and will include any personal information you provide. Therefore, submitting this information makes it public. You may wish to consider limiting the amount of personal information that you provide in any voluntary submission you make to DHS. DHS may withhold information provided in comments from public viewing that it determines may impact the privacy of an individual or is offensive. For additional information, please read the Privacy Act notice that is available via the link in the footer of http://www.regulations.gov.

Note:

The address listed in this notice should only be used to submit comments concerning this information collection. Please do not submit requests for individual case status inquiries to this address. If you are seeking information about the status of your individual case, please check “My Case Status” online at: https://egov.uscis.gov/​cris/​Dashboard.do,, or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies 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 agency's 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: New Collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: DNA Evidence in Refugee Processing.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the DHS sponsoring the collection: G-1294, DNA Collection Consent Form (Laboratory Test) and G-1295, DNA Collection Consent Form (Rapid Test); USCIS.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract:

Primary: Individuals or households. Overseas applicants for refugee status filing through the USCIS Form I-590 (OMB Control Number 1615-0068) that have a spouse and/or child(ren) must meet all requirements of Immigration and Nationality Act § 207(c)(2) and have the necessary burden of proof to establish the relationship(s). In the case of a parent-child relationship, there is often a degree of difficulty in establishing this for refugee populations that often lack reliable documentation. USCIS is seeking to allow I-590 applicants to provide DNA testing results through an AABB accredited laboratory, and in coordination with the USCIS overseas office, to provide effective and credible evidence of this parent-child relationship. USCIS is also seeking to conduct simultaneous Rapid DNA testing as a pilot to make a determination if the Rapid DNA machines provide a valid alternative to traditional DNA testing. USCIS will be collecting samples for traditional DNA testing through an AABB accredited laboratory in conjunction with the Rapid DNA pilot to test the validity of the results obtained during the pilot. The collection of DNA, regardless of process employed, is strictly voluntary and refusal to provide a sample does not adversely impact an applicant's I-590 application.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 60 respondents for the standard DNA process with a total of 360 hours of burden with an estimated average of 6 hours per response. 250 respondents for the Rapid DNA process with a total of 110 hours of burden with an estimated average of .44 hours per response.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: The total estimated annual public burden for this collection of information is 470 hours.

If you need a copy of the information collection instrument with instructions, or additional information, please visit the Federal eRulemaking Portal site at: http://www.regulations.gov. We may also be contacted at: USCIS, Office of Policy and Strategy, Regulatory Coordination Division, 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20529-2140, Telephone number 202-272-8377.

Dated: July 1, 2014.

Samantha Deshommes,

Acting Chief, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security.