00-24050. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice of information collection under review: Application for naturalization.

The Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on July 5, 2000 at 65 FR 41490, allowing for a 60-day public comment period. No comments were received by the INS on the proposed extension of the current information collection.

On June 28, 2000 at 65 FR 39926, the INS published a notice in the Federal Register allowing for a 60-day public review and comment period on a proposed revision to Form N-400. Numerous comments were received by the public on the proposed revision of the form and will be addressed in the submission of the information collection request to OMB. Until such clearance is approved by OMB, the INS is requesting an extension without change of the current information collection.

The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until October 19, 2000.This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time, should be directed to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Lauren Wittenberg, Department of Justice Desk Officer, 725 17th Street, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20530; 202-395-4318.

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 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: 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 and 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 hours) 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 4034, 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: Robert B. Briggs, Clearance Officer, Department of Justice, Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Suite 1220, Washington, DC 20530.

Dated: September 11, 2000.

Richard A. Sloan,

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