03-2687. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

30-Day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Visa Waiver Program Passenger Arrival and Departure Data (File No. OMB-32).

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 INS published an interim rule containing the proposed information collection in the Federal Register on October 11, 2002 at 67 FR 63246. The interim rule also solicited public review and comments on the information collection for a period of 60 days. The INS has not received any comments on the proposed information collection.

The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments to satisfy the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act and to extend the use of this information collection. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until March 7, 2003. 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: Department of Justice Desk Officer, 725—17th Street, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20530.

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 estimated 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 previously approved information collection.

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: Visa Waiver program passenger Arrival and Departure Data.

(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-32); Inspections Division, Immigration and Naturalization Service.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Business or other for-profit. Section 217(h) of the INA requires an automated entry and exit control system by specifying those passenger data elements that must be electronically transmitted to the INS by carriers seeking to transport Visa Waiver program passengers into and out of the U.S. on or after October 1, 2002.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amounts of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 600 responses at 5 minutes (.083 hours) per response. Frequency of response is 365.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: 36,500 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, Regulations and Forms Services Division, 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: Mr. Robert B. Briggs, Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division, Patrick Henry Building 601 D Street, NW., Ste. 1600, Washington, DC 20530.

Dated: January 30, 2003.

Richard A. Sloan,

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