Extension without change of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
07/30/2021
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
07/31/2021
199,695
499,218
737,540
1,843,779
0
0
The information collected on the Form
I-983 serves as a planning document for STEM OPT students, the
SEVP-certified school, and the employer. SEVP uses the form as an
evidentiary document to track the STEM OPT student’s progress,
identifying the terms and conditions of the practical training and
documenting the obligations of the three parties that are
involved—the F-1 student, SEVP-certified school, and employer. The
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) authority for the
collection of information for the Form I-983, “Training Plan for
STEM OPT Students,” is from a rulemaking, “Improving and Expanding
Training Opportunities for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students With STEM
Degrees and Cap-Gap Relief for All Eligible F-1 Students,”
published in the Federal Register at 80 FR 63375 (Oct. 19, 2015;
NPRM; U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)) and 81 FR 13039
(March 11, 2016; final rule; DHS). This supporting statement
fulfills the requirement for the periodic update to that
collection. DHS derives authority to manage SEVP, including
tracking and monitoring aspects, from the following: • Section 641
of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
of 1996 (IIRIRA), Public Law 104208, Div. C (Sept. 30, 1996), which
requires the creation of a program to collect information, on an
ongoing basis, from SEVP-certified schools and exchange visitor
program sponsors relating to F, M, and J nonimmigrants during the
course of their stay in the United States, using electronic
reporting technology to the fullest extent practicable. It further
requires federal approval and authorization of schools and exchange
visitor program sponsors participating in such enrollment. IIRIRA
mandates collecting the identity, current U.S address, and the
admission classification of the nonimmigrant; the date on which a
visa under the classification was issued or extended or the date on
which a change to such classification was approved by DHS; the
current program status (academic or vocational) of the
nonimmigrant, including whether the nonimmigrant is maintaining
status as a full-time student or whether an exchange visitor is
satisfying the terms and conditions of his or her program; and any
disciplinary action taken by the school or the exchange visitor
program sponsor against the nonimmigrant as a result of a
conviction of a crime. • The Uniting and Strengthening America by
Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct
Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56 (Oct. 26, 2001), which
amended IIRIRA to add the requirement that information be collected
on the F, M, and J nonimmigrants’ date and port of entry into the
United States. • Homeland Security Presidential Directive-2, issued
on October 30, 2001, which requires DHS to conduct periodic and
ongoing review of all schools certified to enroll F-1 and M-1
students. • The Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act
of 2002 (EBSVERA), Public Law 107–173, 116 Stat. 543 (May 14,
2002), which requires DHS to recertify all schools approved to
enroll F-1 and/or M-1 students within 2 years of its passage.
Further, EBSVERA mandates that DHS conduct an additional
recertification of these schools every 2 years. DHS implemented the
Form I-983 information collection to provide F-1 students with
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees
who are approved to extend their optional practical training (OPT)
with a prescribed reporting document and methodology that complies
with regulations.
US Code:
8 USC
1372 Name of Law: ALIENS AND NATIONALITY
PL:
Pub.L. 107 - 173 543 Name of Law: ENHANCED BORDER SECURITY AND
VISA ENTRY REFORM ACT
PL:
Pub.L. 107 - 296 116 Stat. 2135 Name of Law: The Homeland
Security Act of 2002
PL:
Pub.L. 104 - 208 Div. C Name of Law: Illegal Immigration Reform
and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
US Code: 6 USC
202 Name of Law: DOMESTIC SECURITY
PL:
Pub.L. 107 - 56 October 26, 2001 Name of Law: Uniting and
Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Req to
Intercept & Obstruct Terrori
US Code: 8 USC
1101 Name of Law: ALIENS AND NATIONALITY
US Code: 8 USC
1103 Name of Law: ALIENS AND NATIONALITY
US Code: 8
USC 1324a Name of Law: ALIENS AND NATIONALITY
US Code:
8 USC 1101(a)(15)(F)(i) Name of Law: ALIENS AND NATIONALITY
US Code: 8 USC
1184 Name of Law: ALIENS AND NATIONALITY
The public burden associated
with the Form I-983, SEVP saw an average decrease of 99,841 in each
respondent group: students, DSOs, and employers during this
reporting cycle. This reflects the effects of the COVID-19
pandemic. SEVP predicts no increase of STEM OPT applicants during
the next 3 years. SEVP anticipates a reduction in DSO burden during
the next 3 years as the new SEVP portal is more fully deployed. The
following table identifies the delta from previous estimates to
future estimates.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form I-983 Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Supporting Statement_1653-0054.docx
2021-16254.pdf
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training (OPT)