SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Sworn Statement of Refugee Applying for Admission into the United States
Form G-646
OMB No. 1615-0097
A. Justification.
Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to admit refugees that are admissible. The information collection required on Form G-646, Sworn Statement of Refugee Applying for Admission into the United States, is necessary for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to determine that the applicant meets all admissibility grounds and conditions. Upon approval of the application for refugee status the applicant is eligible for admission to the United States as a refugee.
Authority: Section 207 of the INA.
USCIS uses the data collected on this form to determine applicants’ eligibility for admission to the United States as refugees. The form serves the purpose of ensuring that applicants provide basic information required to assess eligibility, and standardizes requests for the benefit.
The use of this form provides the most efficient means for collecting and processing the required data. In this case, DHS does not employ the use of information technology in collecting and processing information. DHS does not have the automated capability in place to accept the electronic submission of this type of application. In addition, the processing of most applications for refugee status occurs in remote areas of the world without access to such information technology.
A review of USCIS Forms Inventory Report revealed no duplication of effort, and there is no other similar information currently available, which can be used for this purpose.
This collection of information does not have an impact on small business or other small entities.
Without this information collection, USCIS will not be able to determine the admissibility of refugees.
The special circumstances contained in item 7 of the supporting statement are not applicable to this information collection.
On December 15, 2010, USCIS published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register at 75 FR 78263 related to this information collection. USCIS did not receive any comments in connection with this notice. Subsequently, on March 3, 2011, USCIS published a 30-day notice in the Federal Register at 76 FR 11807. USCIS did not receive any comments as a result of publishing this notice.
USCIS does not provide payments or gifts to respondents in exchange for a benefit sought.
There is no assurance of confidentiality. The system of records notice associated with this information collection is the Alien File (A-File) and Central Index System published on January 16, 2007 at 72 FR 1755. The associated privacy impact assessment is the Integrated Digitization Document Management Program (Dated January 5, 2007).
There are questions of a sensitive nature regarding particular behavior, health conditions and particular beliefs are required to determine admissibility to the United States. This information is used to determine an applicant's admissibility.
Annual Reporting Burden:
a. Number of Respondents 75,000
b. Number of responses per each Respondent 1
c. Total Annual Responses 75,000
d. Hours per Response 0.333
e. Total Annual Reporting Burden 24,975
Annual Reporting Burden
The total annual reporting burden hours is 24,975. This figure was derived by multiplying the number of respondents (75,000) x (1) frequency of response x (.333) 20 minutes.
There are no capital or start-up costs associated with this information collection. Any cost burdens to respondents as a result of this collection are identified in item 14. Additionally, there is no fee charge for this information collection.
Annualized Cost Analysis:
Printing Cost $ 13,500
Collection and Processing Cost $ 1,500,000
Total Cost to Program $ 1,513,500
Fee Charge $ 0
Total Cost to Government $ 1,513,500
Government Cost
The estimated cost to the Government is $1,513,500. This figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated number of respondents 75,000 x .50 (30 minutes) (time required to collect and process information) x $40 (suggested average hourly rate for clerical, officer and supervisory time with benefits). In addition, this figure includes the estimated overhead cost for printing, stocking, and distributing the form that is $13,500.
Public Cost
The estimated annual public cost is $ 746,502. This estimate is based on the number of respondents 75,000 x (1) number of responses x .333 (20 minutes) per response x $29.89 (average hourly rate).
There is no increase or decrease in the burden hours previously reported for this information collection. There is no change in the information being collected.
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 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.
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.
__________________________________ ________________________
Sunday Aigbe, Dated:
Chief,
Regulatory Products Division,
Office of the Executive Secretariat,
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Department of Homeland Security.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) authorizes the Attorney General to admit refugees that are admissible |
| Author | Authorized User |
| Last Modified By | Stephen Tarragon |
| File Modified | 2011-05-25 |
| File Created | 2011-05-25 |