NonSub Change - UHP option and Gender Q update on URM Program App

To: Jordan Cohen

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

From: Anne Mullooly

Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)

Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Date: June 23, 2022

Subject: NonSubstantive Change Request – Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program Application, and Withdrawal of Application or Declination of Placement Form (OMB #0970-0550)

This memo requests approval of nonsubstantive changes to the approved information collections: Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program Application, and Withdrawal of Application or Declination of Placement Form (OMB #0970-0550).

Background

Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) Program Application, and Withdrawal of Application or Declination of Placement Form is completed on behalf of unaccompanied children in the United States who are applying for entry into the URM Program.

The Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (AUSAA) authorizes ORR to provide resettlement assistance and other benefits available for refugees to specific Ukrainian populations and other non-Ukrainian individuals in response to their displacement from Ukraine and entry into the United States. The current OMB approved Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program (URM) Application Form has already been collecting eligible immigration status or category of individuals. There is no existing option available to accurately capture the newly authorized Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees (UHP) population. ORR is requesting to add the UHP option to the existing OMB approved form. ORR also requests to revise existing gender markers to be in alignment with the recent updates made by the State Department to gender categories on passports.

Overview of Requested Changes

Under the existing Section 3: “Eligibility Type and Verification Documents”, ORR requests to add “Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee” as a new Eligibility Type along with three verification document options for UHP. ORR also requests to add a new “Other” verification document option related to existing Afghan Humanitarian Parolee population for form consistency.

ORR requests to add a new Gender maker option of “Unspecified or another gender” under the existing Section 3: “Minor’s Biographical Information” to ensure that gender categories provide enough detail for appropriate foster care placement and services and for consistency across ORR and other government forms and IDs.  

Time Sensitivities

Unaccompanied Ukrainian Minors (UUMs) became newly eligible for the URM Program starting May 21, 2022. ORR has already begun receiving URM applications for UUMs. Without a timely approval on adding this newly authorized eligibility type and immigration status/category for the data collection form, ORR is unable to ensure accurate data collection and reporting on services provided to the Ukrainian humanitarian parolees.