[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 23, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44136-44137]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17579]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Docket No. DHS-2013-0016]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Office of Biometric 
Identity Management (OBIM) Biometric Data Collection at the Ports of 
Entry

AGENCY: National Protection and Programs Directorate, DHS.

ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for comments; Extension, without 
change, of a currently approved collection.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Protection 
and Programs Directorate (NPPD), Office of Biometric Identity 
Management (OBIM), formerly the United States Visitor and Immigrant 
Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) Program, will submit the 
following Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35). NPPD is soliciting comments

[[Page 44137]]

concerning this biometric data collection at the ports of entry. DHS 
previously published this ICR in the Federal Register on April 15, 
2013, for a 60-day public comment period. DHS received three comments 
in response to that notice. The purpose of this notice is to allow an 
additional 30 days for public comments.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until August 22, 
2013. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, OMB. Comments should be addressed to OMB Desk 
Officer, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Civil Rights and 
Civil Liberties. Comments must be identified by DHS-2010-0016 and may 
be submitted by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
     Email: [email protected]. Include the docket 
number in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: (202) 395-5806
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the words 
``Department of Homeland Security'' and the docket number for this 
action. Comments received will be posted without alteration at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.
    OMB is particularly interested in comments that:
    1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submissions of responses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven P. Yonkers, DHS/NPPD/OBIM, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DHS established OBIM, formerly the US-VISIT 
Program, to meet specific legislative mandates intended to strengthen 
border security, address critical needs in terms of providing decision-
makers with critical information, and demonstrate progress toward 
performance goals for national security, expediting of trade and 
travel, and supporting immigration system improvements. DHS collects 
and disseminates biometric information (digital fingerprint images and 
facial photos) from individuals during their entry into the United 
States. This information is disseminated to specific DHS Components; 
other Federal agencies; Federal, state, and local law enforcement 
agencies; and the Intelligence Community to assist in the decisions 
they make related to, and in support of, the homeland security mission. 
Beginning on December 10, 2007, US-VISIT expanded the collection of 
fingerprints from two prints to ten. The new collection time of 35 
seconds, an increase from the previous 15 seconds, is a result of this 
change, and includes officer instructions. Additionally, DHS published 
a final rule, entitled ``United States Visitor and Immigrant Status 
Indicator Technology Program (US-VISIT); Enrollment of Additional 
Aliens in US-VISIT; Authority To Collect Biometric Data From Additional 
Travelers and Expansion to the 50 Most Highly Trafficked Land Border 
Ports of Entry,'' which became effective on January 18, 2009, and 
expanded the population of aliens subject to the requirement of having 
to provide biometrics in connection with their admission to the United 
States. See 73 FR 77473 (Dec. 19, 2008).

Analysis

    Agency: Department of Homeland Security, National Protection and 
Programs Directorate, Office of Biometric Identity Management.
    Title: Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) Biometric 
Data Collection at the Ports of Entry.
    OMB Number: 1600-0006.
    Frequency: One-time collection.
    Affected Public: Foreign visitors and immigrants into the United 
States.
    Number of Respondents: 156,732,422.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 35 seconds.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,520,304 annual burden hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Recordkeeping Burden: $63,853,000.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $63,853,000.

    Dated: June 17, 2013.
Scott Libby,
Deputy Chief Information Officer, National Protection and Programs 
Directorate, Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2013-17579 Filed 7-22-13; 8:45 am]
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