I-134 Bio Rule Supporting Statement

SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR

Affidavit of Support

OMB Control No.: 1615-0014

COLLECTION INSTRUMENT(S): Form I-134

A. Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

Section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides that an alien who is a visa applicant, applicant for admission, or an applicant for adjustment of status to permanent residence, is excludable if a consular or immigration officer determines that the alien is likely to become a public charge. This information collection is necessary to determine if at the time of application into the United States, the applicant is likely to become a public charge.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and consular officers of the Department of State use this form to determine whether an applicant for a visa, adjustment of status, or entry to the United States may possibly be excludable on the ground that he or she is likely to become a public charge.

The information requested on this benefit request, and the associated evidence, is collected under the INA. The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this benefit request is to determine whether the sponsor has adequate financial means to support the applicant for whom parole is requested on Application for Travel Document, Form I-131, in order to establish the applicant’s eligibility for the immigration benefit for which he or she is filing. The information the sponsor provides will be used to grant or deny the benefit sought by the applicant.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

The use of this information collection currently provides the most efficient means for collecting and processing the required data. This form is available via on the USCIS website and can be completed electronically. It must be printed, signed, and mailed to USCIS.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

A search of USCIS’ automated forms tracking system was accomplished and revealed no duplication. There is no similar data collected

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of OMB Form 83-I), describe any methods used to minimize burden.

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

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

If the information is not collected, USCIS would not be able to determine whether the person (sponsor) who is promising to support an alien after his or her entry to the United States, can adequately support the alien.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

• Requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

• Requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

• Requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

• Requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;

• In connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

• Requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

• That includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

• Requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

This information collection is conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5(d) (2).

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the data and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency’s notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years - even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

On September 11, 2020, USCIS published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register at 85 FR 56338.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

USCIS does not provide any payment for benefit sought.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation or agency policy.

There is no assurance of confidentiality.

The privacy impact assessment associated with this information collection:

• Case and Activity Management for International Operations (CAMINO) May 26, 2015.

The system of record notices associated with this information collection are:

• DHS/USCIS-001 - Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System of Records November 21, 2013, 78 FR 69864; and

• DHS/USCIS-007 - Benefits Information System September 29, 2008 73 FR 56596.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

This information collection contains questions that are of a sensitive nature. Respondents must provide information and records on personal income and financial resources. This information is necessary to establish that the sponsor of an alien has sufficient income or financial resources to assure that the sponsored alien will not become a public charge while in the United States.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

• Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

• If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB Form 83-I.

• Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included in Item 14.

		A	B	C (=AxB)	D	E (=CxD)	F	(=ExF)
Type of Respondent	Form Name / Form Number	#. of Respondents	#. of Responses per Respondent	# of Responses	Avg. Burden per Response (in hours)	Total Annual Burden (in hours)	Avg. Hourly Wage Rate*	Total Annual Respondent Cost
Individuals or Households	Affidavit of Support, Form I-134	2,500	1	2,500	1.75	4,375	$36.47	$159,556
Individuals or Households	Biometrics	2,500	1	2,500	3.67	9,175.00	$36.47	$334,612
Total				2,500		13,550.00		$494,169

* The above Average Hourly Wage Rate is the May 2018 Bureau of Labor Statistics average wage for All Occupations of $24.98 times the wage rate benefit multiplier of 1.46 (to account for benefits provided) equaling $36.47.  The selection of “All Occupations” was chosen because respondents to this collection could be expected from any occupation.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in Items 12 and 14).

• The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life); and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

• If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

• Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995; (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection; (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government; or, (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

There is no capital, start-up, operational or maintenance cost associated with this collection of information. There is no filing fee for Form I-134. However, USCIS estimates that respondents will incur a cost of $4.25 for postage to submit the completed package to USCIS.

Postage to mail completed package (2,500 x $4.25 average postage) = $10,625.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies also may aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.

This figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated number of respondents (2,500) x (1) number of responses x 1 hours for adjudication time x $40 (suggested average hourly rate for clerical, officer, and managerial time with benefits plus the estimated cost of printing, stocking, distributing and processing this form), which equals $100,000. The estimated number of respondents for biometrics collection (2,500) are multiplied by the $85 biometric services cost, which equals $212,500. These two figures are added together to obtain the total estimated cost to the government of $312,500.00.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reporting in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-I.

Data collection Activity/Instru-ment	Program Change (hours currently on OMB Inventory)	Program Change (New)	Difference	Adjustment (hours currently on OMB Inventory)	Adjustment (New)	Difference
I-134	3,750	4,375	625
Biometrics	0	9,175	9,175
Total(s)	3,750	13,550	9,800

There is an increase in the estimated annual hour burden to respondents for this collection of information. USCIS is adding a biometric services appointment requirement to Form I-134. The estimated time burden per response for the collection of biometrics is 3.67 hours, which is an increase from 1.17 hours. This will increase the total estimated annual hour burden for this collection of information by 9,175 hours. The estimated annual hour burden for Form I-134 increased by 625 hours due to an estimated increase of 15 minutes per response due to the addition of biometric services appointment instructions language and collection of biographic information. The total increase in the estimated annual hour burden for this collection of information is 9,800 hours.

Data collection Activity/Instru-ment	Program Change (cost currently on OMB Inventory)	Program Change (New)	Difference	Adjustment (cost currently on OMB Inventory)	Adjustment (New)	Difference
I-134				$10,625.00	no change	no change
Biometrics	0	0	0
Total(s)				$10,625.00	$ -	$ -

There is no change in the estimated annual cost burden to respondents for this collection of information.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation, and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

This information collection will not be published for statistical purposes.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

USCIS will display the expiration date for OMB approval of this information collection.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19, “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submission,” of OMB 83-I.

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

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods.

There is no statistical methodology involved with this collection.

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