(OMB No. 1615-0013)
JUSTIFICATION.
As provided in sections 103, 208, 212, 223, and 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) certain aliens, principally permanent or conditional residents, refugees or asylees, applicants for adjustment of status, aliens in Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and aliens abroad seeking humanitarian parole, need to apply for a travel document to lawfully enter or reenter the United States. The Form I-131 is used for these purposes.
The Form I-131 has multiple uses. A permanent or conditional resident may use the form to apply for a Reentry Permit for admission to the U.S. during the document's validity without having to obtain a returning resident visa from an American Consulate. For example, a Reentry Permit may be used for reentry by a permanent resident who has remained outside of the United States for up to 2 years. Refugees or asylees, or permanent residents who were formerly refugees or asylees, may use the form to apply for a refugee travel document. The bearer presents the document for readmission to the United States after temporary travel abroad. Aliens abroad who seek to travel to the U.S. temporarily for emergent business or personal reasons, may use the form to apply for an advance parole document to be paroled into the U.S. on humanitarian grounds. These cases will be handled on a case by case basis. Aliens granted TPS are also required to obtain an Advance Parole Document if they wish to leave the United States temporarily and return. The information collected on the form is used to verify the applicant’s status and determine his or her eligibility for the benefit.
The use of this form currently provides the most efficient means for collecting and processing the required data. This form can be e-filed.
A search of the USCIS automated forms tracking system was accomplished and revealed no duplication. There is no similar data collected.
This collection of information does not have an impact on small businesses or other small entities.
The collection of this information is required to verify the status of permanent or conditional residents, refugees or asylees, individuals in TPS, applicants for adjustment of status, or aliens abroad who apply for either a Reentry Permit, Refugee Travel Document or an Advance Parole Document (including humanitarian parole), and if the applicant is deemed eligible, to grant him or her the benefit. Lacking such documentation, these aliens who travel abroad could not apply for readmission to the U.S., without obtaining visas from an American Consulate. Many aliens abroad seeking to enter the U.S. for legitimate humanitarian reasons would not be able to apply for and obtain permission to enter for such relief.
The special circumstances contained in Item 7 of the Supporting Statement are not applicable to this information collection.
On August 27, 2008, USCIS published a 60-day Notice in the Federal Register at 73 FR 50633. USCIS received one comment for this information. The following is the comment and the USCIS response.
Comment:
In Part 7 of the I-131 at the top it asks for a separate piece of
paper
explaining
"how you qualify for an advance parole document..." Since
the majority of individuals requesting parole are adjustment of
status applicants with pending I-485, it would be more efficient to
have a box to check which says something like "I have a pending
I-485". The instructions already ask for a copy of the I-485
receipt if there is one. There may be other common answers that
could be handled by a check box as well.
USCIS Response: There are instances when a person outside the United States and for humanitarian reasons needs to come to the United States. USCIS will still need an explanation. Just checking a box would not suffice. However, in the future, should USCIS consider revising the form it will consider the suggestion offered by the commenter.
USCIS does not provide payments or gifts to respondents in exchange for a benefit sought.
Refugees and asylees are protected by the confidentiality provisions of 8 CFR 208.6. Aliens in TPS status have the confidentiality protections described in 8 CFR 244.16. There are not any confidentiality assurances for other aliens applying for the benefit.
There are no questions of a sensitive nature.
Annual Reporting Burden:
Number of Respondents 167,073
Number of Responses per Respondent 1
Total Annual Responses 167,073
Hours per Response 1.9
Total Annual Reporting Burden 317,439
Annual Reporting Burden
The annual reporting burden is 317,439. This figure was derived by multiplying the number of respondents (167,073) x frequency of response (1) x 1 hour and 55 minutes per response (1.9).
There are no capital or start-up costs associated with this information collection. Any cost burden to respondents as a result of this information collection are identified in Item 14. (There is a $305 application fee charge for all applicants associated with this information collection and an additional $80 biometric fee).
Annualized Cost Analysis:
Printing Cost $ 36,000
Collection and Processing Cost $ 64,287,105
Total Cost to Program $ 64,323,105
Fee Charge $ 64,323,105
Total Cost to Government $ 0
The estimated cost of the program to the Government is calculated by using the estimated number of respondents (167,073) multiplied (x) by the suggested $305 fee charge (which includes the suggested average hourly rate for clerical, officer, and managerial time with benefits, plus a percent for the estimated cost of printing, stocking, distributing and processing this form); plus number of respondents 167,073 multiplied by $80 biometric fee.
The estimated annual public cost with fee is $64,323,105. This estimate is based on the number of respondents 167,073 x fee charge of $305; plus the number of respondents 167,073 x $80 biometric fee.
The estimated annual public burden hour cost is $3,174,390. This estimate is based on the number of respondents 167,073 x 1 hour and 55 minutes (1.9) x $10 (Average hourly rate).
There has been no increase or decrease in the annual burden hours currently associated with this information collection.
USCIS does not intend to employ the use of statistics or the publication thereof for this information collection.
USCIS will display the expiration date of OMB approval for this information collection. .
USCIS does not request an exception to the certification of this information collection. .
Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods.
Not Applicable.
Certification and Signature.
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.
___________________________________ _________________
Stephen Tarragon, Date
Deputy Chief,
Regulatory Management Division,
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | SUPPORTING STATEMENT |
| Author | ANDREA FLEET |
| Last Modified By | S. Tarragon |
| File Modified | 2008-11-19 |
| File Created | 2008-11-19 |