SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
Form I-360
(OMB No. 1615-0020)
Justification.
As provided in section 204 of the Immigration and Nationality Act certain aliens seeking to immigrate to the United States may be classified under specific categories. These categories are as follows: an Amerasian; a widow or widower; a battered spouse or child of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; and a special immigrant (religious worker, Panama Canal Company employee, Canal Zone government employee, U.S. government employee in the Canal Zone, physician, international organization employee or family member, juvenile court dependent or armed forces member). Form I-360 is used by these aliens who seek to be classified as eligible for the benefit.
The Form I-360 may be used by several prospective classes of aliens who intend to establish their eligibility to immigrate to the United States. The data collected on this form is reviewed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to determine if the petitioner may be qualified to obtain the benefit. This form is being revised to comply with the final rule titled “Special Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Religious Worker; RIN 1615-AA16.” Table of changes are attached.
The use of this form currently provides the most efficient means for collecting and processing the required data. In this case the USCIS does not employ the use of information technology in collecting and processing information. However, this form has been designated for e-filing under the Business Transformation Project.
A search of USCIS automated forms tracking system was accomplished and revealed no duplication. There is no similar data collected.
This collection of information does not have a significant impact on small businesses or other small entities.
The collection of information is required to determine whether the petitioner may be classified as eligible for the immigration benefit. Without this specific form, these aliens would need to spend numerous hours studying the appropriate law and regulations to document their particular status in a detailed narrative or by other means. Form I-360 facilitates public response, thereby helping to reduce the burden.
There are no special circumstances applicable to this information collection.
On April 25, 2007, at 72 FR 20442, USCIS published a 60-day Paperwork Reduction Act notice as part of the proposed rule titled “Special Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Religious Worker; RIN 1615-AA16.” USCIS did not receive any comments for this information collection.
USCIS does not provide payments or gifts to respondents in exchange for a benefit sought.
There is no assurance of confidentiality.
The category of self-petitioning spouse or child of an abusive U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident must provide evidence of abuse suffered, which is considered sensitive information. These aliens must provide this information so that USCIS may decide their eligibility for this classification.
Annual Reporting Burden: Non-Iraqi Iraqi Religious
Worker
Number of Respondents 8,984 5,000 4,700
Number of Responses per Respondent 1 1 1
Total Annual Responses 8,984 5,000 4,700
Hours per Response 2 3 2.25
Total Annual Reporting Burden 17,968 15,000 10,575
Total annual reporting burden hours is 43,543. This is calculated by multiplying the number of respondents (8,984) x (1) number of responses x (2) hours per response; plus the number of Iraqi translator respondents (5,000) x (1) number of responses x (3) hours per response; plus Number of respondents for Religious Workers )(4,700) x (1) number of responses x (2.25) hours.
13. There are no capital or start-up costs associated with this information collection. Any cost burdens to respondents as a result of this information collection are identified in Item 14. There is a $375 fee charge associated with the collection of this information and a $80 charge for biometrics. However there is no fee charge or biometrics charge for Iraqi translators.
Annualized Cost Analysis:
Printing Cost $ 11,084
Collection and Processing Cost $ 8,490,136
Total Cost to Program $ 8,501,220
Fee Charge $ 6,226,220
Total Cost to Government $ 2,275,000
The estimated cost of the program to the Government is $2,275,000. This estimate is calculated by multiplying the estimated total number of respondents (18,684) multiplied (x) by the $375 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) plus the number of respondents (18,684) multiplied by the ($80) biometrics fee. Since there is no fee or biometric charge for Iraqi Translators, USCIS is losing the revenue that would be generated by processing these requests equating to $2,275,000 (5,000 respondents x $455 ($375 fee charge and $80 biometric fee)).
The estimated annual public cost is $6,661,650. This estimate is based on the number of respondents (8,984) x (2) hours per response; plus (4,700) Religious Workers x (2.25) hours per response; plus (5,000) Iraqi Translators x (3) hours per response x $10 (average hourly rate) plus the number of respondents (13,684) x fee charge and biometrics charge ($455).
There has been an increase of 1,175 annual burden previously reported for this information collection. This increase is due to the 15 minutes (.25) additional time it will take to complete the Form I-360 as a result of the final rule titled “Special Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Religious Worker; RIN 1615-AA16.” There is no increase in the annual burden cost.
USCIS does not intend to employ the use of statistics or the publication thereof for this collection of information.
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.
C. 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.
________________________ ____________________
Sunday Aigbe, Date
Chief,
Regulatory Management Division,
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Department of Homeland Security.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | SUPPORTING STATEMENT |
| Author | ANDREA FLEET |
| Last Modified By | S. Tarragon |
| File Modified | 2008-10-08 |
| File Created | 2008-10-08 |