03-24259. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

60-Day Notice of Information Collection Under Review; Inspection of Persons Applying for Admission; Transit Without Visa (TWOV) and International-to-International Agreements, (File No. OMB-19).

The Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement 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 November 24, 2003.

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 a currently approved collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Inspection of Persons Applying for Admission; Transit Without Visa (TWOV) and International-to-International Agreements.

(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: No Agency Form Number (File No. OMB-19), Bureau of Immigration Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Business or other for-profit. This DHS will use the data collected by the carrier to query the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS) to electronically access manifest and query results in advance of each flight's arrival. This information collection facilitates rapid inspection at ports-of-entry.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 400 carrier agreements at 5 hours per response and 1,500,000 queries at 1 minute (0.016 hours) per response.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: 26,000 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 [phone], Director, Regulations and Forms Services Division, Department of Homeland Security, Room 4034, 425 I Street, NW., Washington, DC 20536. Additionally, comments and/or suggestions regarding the items(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: Ms. Theresa O'Malley, Chief Information Officer, Department of Homeland Security, 7th and D Streets, SW., Regional Office Building 3, Suite 4636-26, Washington, DC 20202.

Dated: September 22, 2003.

Richard A. Sloan,

Director, Department Clearance Officer, Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.