Notice of Information Collection Under OMB Emergency Review: Affidavit of Relationship for Minors Who Are Nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras

ACTION:

Notice of request for emergency OMB approval and public comment.

SUMMARY:

The Department of State has submitted the information collection request described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the emergency review procedures of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The purpose of this notice is to allow for public comment from all interested individuals and organizations. Emergency review and approval of this collection has been requested from OMB by 30 days from submission. If granted, the emergency approval is only valid for 180 days. The Department plans to follow this emergency request with a submission for a 3-year approval through OMB's normal PRA clearance process.

DATES:

All public comments must be received by July 30, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Direct any comments on this emergency request to both the Department of State Desk Officer in the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and to PRM/A.

• You may submit comments to OMB by the following methods:
• Email: oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. You must include the DS form number, information collection title, and OMB control number in the subject line of your message.
• Fax: 202-395-5806. Attention: Desk Officer for Department of State.

You may submit comments to PRM/A by the following methods:

• Web: Persons with access to the internet may comment on this notice by going to www.Regulations.gov . You can search for the document by entering “Docket Number: DOS-2021-0014” in the Search field. Then click the “Comment Now” button and complete the comment form.
• Email: SiramS@state.gov. You must include Emergency Submission Comment on “information collection title” in the subject line of your message.
• Regular Mail: Send written comments to Sumitra Siram, PRM/A, 2025 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20006.

You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information collection title, and the OMB control number in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Direct requests for additional information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and supporting documents to Sumitra Siram, who may be reached on at SiramS@state.gov or 202-453-9250.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

• Title of Information Collection: Affidavit of Relationship for Minors who are Nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras.
• OMB Control Number: 1405-0217.
• Type of Request: Emergency Review.
• Originating Office: PRM/A.
• Form Number: DS-7699.
• Respondents: Those seeking qualified family members to access the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
• Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.
• Estimated Number of Responses: 2,000.
• Average Time Per Response: One hour.
• Total Estimated Burden Time: 2,000 hours.
• Frequency: “On occasion”.
• Obligation to respond: “ Voluntary”.

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:

• Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
• Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden of this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
• Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your personal information, will be available for public review

Abstract of Proposed Collection

To obtain biographical information about children overseas who intend to seek access to the USRAP, as well as other eligible family members or caregivers, for verification by the U.S. government. This form also assists DHS's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to verify parent-child relationships during refugee case adjudication. This form is necessary for implementation of this program.

Methodology

Working with a State Department contracted Resettlement Agencies (RA), qualifying individuals in the United States must complete the AOR and submit supporting documentation to: (a) Establish that they meet the requirements for being a qualifying individual who currently falls into one of the aforementioned categories; (b) provide a list of qualifying family members who may seek access to refugee resettlement in the United States. Once completed, the form is sent by the RA to the Refugee Processing Center (RPC) for case creation and processing. The information is used by the RPC for case management; by USCIS to determine that the qualifying individual falls into one of the aforementioned categories; and by the Resettlement Support Center (RSC) for case prescreening and further processing after DHS interview. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) administers the RSC in Latin America under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department to conduct case prescreening and assist in the processing of refugee applicants.