I 526 Supporting statement 7-18-07

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur

Form I-526

OMB No. 1615-0026

1. JUSTIFICATION:

1. Under section 203(b)(5) of the Immigration Nationality Act, qualified immigrants seeking to enter the United States for the purpose of engaging in a commercial enterprise, must petition the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services by filing Form I- 526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur.

1. 2. The data collected on this form will be used by the USCIS to determine eligibility for the requested immigration benefit. The form serves the purpose of standardizing requests for the benefit, and ensuring that basic information required to determine eligibility is provided by applicants.

3. The use of this form currently provides the most efficient means for collecting and processing the required data. This form has been designated for e-filing under the Business Transformation Project.

1. 4. A review of the USCIS’s Forms Inventory Report revealed no duplication of effort, and there is no other similar information currently available which can be used for this purpose.

2. 5. This collection of information does not have an impact on small businesses or other small entities.

3. 6. Without the use of this information collection, an alien may not apply and the USCIS may not determine an alien’s eligibility for special immigrant status.

4. 7. There are no special circumstances applicable to this information collection.

8. On March 23, 2007, USCIS published a 60 Day Notice at 72 FR 13813 allowing for public comment. USCIS did not receive any comments.

5. 9. The USCIS does not provide payments or gifts to respondents in exchange for a benefit sought.

6. 10. There is no assurance of confidentiality.

7. 11. There are no questions of a sensitive nature.

8. 12. Annual Reporting Burden:

   0. a. Number of Respondents 1,368

   1. b. Number of Responses per Respondent 1

   2. c. Total Annual Responses 1,368

   3. d. Hours per Response 1.25

   4. e. Total Annual Reporting Burden 1,710

The total annual reporting burden for this information collection is 1,710. This figure was derived by multiplying the number of respondents (1,368) x frequency of response (1) x 1 hour and 15 minutes (1.25). This estimate is based on prior USCIS experience with the program.

1. 13. There are no capital or start-up costs associated with this information collection. However, there is a fee charge of $1,435 associated with the filing of this information collection.

2. 14. Annualized Cost Analysis:

   0. a. Printing Cost $ 615

   1. b. Collection and Processing Cost $ 1,962,465

   2. c. Total Cost to Program $ 1,963,080

   3. d. Fee Charge $ 1,963,080

   4. e. Total Cost to Government $ 0

Public Cost

The estimated annual public cost is $ 1,963,080. This is based on the number of respondents 1,368 x 1 number of response x 1.25 hours (1 hour and 15 minutes) per response x $10 (average hourly rate) plus the number of respondents (1,368 x fee charge of $1,435).

Government Cost

The estimated cost of the program to the Government is calculated by using the estimated number of respondents (1,368) multiplied (x) by the suggested $1,435 fee charge (which includes the suggested average hourly rate for clerical, officer, and managerial time with benefits) plus a percent for the estimated overhead cost for printing, stocking, distributing and processing of this form.

1. 15. There has been no increase in the burden hours previously reported for this information collection.

2. 16. USCIS does not intend to employ the use of statistics or the publication thereof for this information collection.

3. 17. The USCIS is not seeking to waive the display of the expiration date of the OMB approval for this information collection.

4. 18. The USCIS does not request an exception to the certification of this information collection.

5. B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods.

Not Applicable.

C. Certification and Signatures.

PAPERWORK CERTIFICATION

In submitting this request for OMB approval, I certify that the requirements of the Privacy Act and OMB directives have been complied with including paperwork regulations, statistical standards or directives, and any other information policy directives promulgated under 5 CFR 1320.

____________________ ______________________

Richard A. Sloan Date

Chief,

Regulatory Management Division,

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.

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