[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 222 (Wednesday, November 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 64102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30865]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

ACTION: Request OMB Emergency Approval; Petition for Nonimmigrant 
Filing Fee Exemption.
    The Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service 
(INS) has submitted an emergency information collection request (ICR) 
utilizing emergency review procedures, to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with section 
1320.13(a)(1) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The INS has 
determined that it cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance 
procedures under this part because normal clearance procedures are 
reasonably likely to prevent or disrupt the collection of information. 
Therefore, OMB approval has been requested by November 20, 1998. If 
granted, the emergency approval is only valid for 180 days. ALL 
comments and/or questions pertaining to this pending request for 
emergency approval MUST be directed to OMB, Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Mr. Stuart Shapiro, 202-395-7316, 
Department of Justice Desk Officer, Washington, DC 20503. Comments 
regarding the emergency submission of this information collection may 
also be submitted via facsimile to Mr. Shapiro at 202-395-6974.
    During the first 60 days of this same period, a regular review of 
this information collection is also being undertaken. During the 
regular review period, the INS requests written comments and 
suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning this 
information collection. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted 
until January 19, 1999. During 60-day regular review, ALL comments and 
suggestions, or questions regarding additional information, to include 
obtaining a copy of the information collection instrument with 
instructions, should be directed to Mr. Richard A. Sloan, 202-514-3291, 
Director, Policy Directives and Instructions Branch, Immigration and 
Naturalization Service, U.S. Department of Justice, Room 5307, 425 I 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20536. Written comments and suggestions 
from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed 
collection of information should address one or more of the following 
four points:
    (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 agencies 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 
submission of responses.
    Overview of this information collection:
    (1) Type of Information Collection: New information collection.
    (2) Title of the Form/Collection: Petition for Nomimmigrant Filing 
Fee Exemption.
    (3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form I-129W. Office of 
Adjudications, Immigration and Naturalization Service.
    (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract: Primary: Business or other for-profit. This 
addendum to Form I-129 will be used by the INS to determine if an H-1B 
petitioner is exempt from the additional filing fee of $500, as 
provided by the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act 
of 1998.
    (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount 
of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 100,000 
responses at 15 minutes (.25) hours per response.
    (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: 25,000 annual burden hours.
    If additional information is required contact: Mr. Robert B. 
Briggs, Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, 
Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division, 
Suite 850, Washington Center, 1001 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20530.

    Dated: November 13, 1998.
Robert B. Briggs,
Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 98-30865 Filed 11-17-98; 8:45 am]
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