Attachment A - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Attachment A: FAQs

OMB No. 0607-XXXX: Approval Expires xx/xx/xxxx

Form COFA-FAQ (2018)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 2018 Survey of Compact of Free Association (COFA) Migrants all about?

This survey collects data to produce estimates of the number of migrants from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau residing in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) in 2018, as required by the COFA Amendments Act of 2003.

How was I selected for this survey?

Actually, we selected your housing unit, not you personally, for this survey. We scientifically selected approximately 7,000 housing units across Guam and the CNMI to represent the entire population. If you should move away before your housing unit is visited for the survey, we would interview the new residents that move in.

Under what authority is the Census Bureau collecting this information?

The Census Bureau has the authority to conduct this survey on behalf of the Department of the Interior under Title 13, United States Code, Section 8(b). The Department of the Interior has authority to collect this information under the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, Pub. L. No. 108-188.

Will information I provide be confidential?

The U.S. Census Bureau is required by law to keep your information confidential (Title 13, United States Code, Section 9). The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify you or this household. Your information may only be shared with other Census Bureau staff for the work-related purposes identified and as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notice COMMERCE/Census-3, Demographic Survey Collection (Census Bureau Sampling Frame). Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data. By law, the Census Bureau can only use your responses to produce statistics.

Do I have to participate?

The survey is voluntary, and there are no penalties for not participating. We expect the interview to take about 20 minutes. Your interview may be somewhat shorter or longer than this, depending on your circumstances.

Who will have access to my data?

By law, the Census Bureau can only use your responses for statistical research. The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify you or this household. Per the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) your information may only be shared for the work-related purposes identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notice COMMERCE/Census-3, Demographic Survey Collection (Census Bureau Sampling Frame).

How are the data used?

Data from this survey are used to determine distribution of 2003 COFA Amendments Act annual funds to Guam and the CNMI for health, educational, social, or public safety service programs.

How do I give comments regarding this survey?

This information collection is authorized by the Office of Management and Budget OMB No. 0607-XXXX. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, 4600 Silver Hill Road, 8H590, Washington, DC 20233. You may email comments to [email protected]; use “COFA Paperwork Project 0607-XXXX” as the subject. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.