[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 5, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20719-20722]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-10260]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Office of the Secretary
[Docket No. DHS-2009-0031]
Privacy Act of 1974; United States Immigration and Customs
Enforcement-011 Removable Alien Records System of Records
AGENCY: Privacy Office; DHS.
ACTION: Notice of amended Privacy Act system of records.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of
Homeland Security proposes to amend DHS/ICE-011 Removable Alien Records
System to add two new routine uses. These routine uses would allow U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement to share information about
individuals in ICE detention with entities that seek to provide legal
educational and orientation programs. DHS is seeking public comment on
these proposed routine uses.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 4, 2009.
This new system will be effective June 4, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number DHS-
2009-0031 by one of the following methods:
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 703-483-2999.
Mail: Mary Ellen Callahan, Chief Privacy Officer, Privacy
Office, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528.
Instructions: All submissions received must include the
agency name and docket number for this rulemaking. All comments
received will be posted without change and may be read at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background
documents or comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general questions please contact:
Lyn Rahilly (202-732-3300), United States Immigration and Customs
Enforcement Privacy Officer, United States Immigration and Customs
Enforcement. For privacy issues please contact: Mary Ellen Callahan
(703-235-0780), Chief Privacy Officer, Privacy Office, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of
Homeland Security proposes to amend a U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) system of records known as the DHS/ICE-011 Removable
Alien Records System (RARS) (74 FR 5665, Jan. 30, 2009) to add two new
routine uses. RARS contains information about individual aliens who
have been removed or are alleged to be removable from the United States
by DHS/ICE under Federal immigration laws. These new routine uses would
allow ICE to share information about aliens who are in ICE detention
during removal proceedings with entities that seek to provide legal
educational and orientation programs to persons in ICE detention.
Specifically, proposed Routine Use Q would permit ICE to share
information about aliens in removal proceedings with the U.S.
Department of Justice's Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR)
or their contractors, consultants, or others performing or working on a
contract for EOIR, so that EOIR may arrange for the provision of
educational services to those aliens under EOIR's Legal Orientation
Program. New Routine Use R would allow the sharing of the same
information with attorneys or legal representatives for the purpose of
facilitating group presentations to aliens in detention that will
provide the aliens with information about their rights under U.S.
immigration law and procedures. Routine Use R would support know-your-
rights educational programs that are sponsored by private sector law
firms and public interest legal organizations, but are not associated
with the EOIR Legal Orientation Program.
II. Privacy Act
The Privacy Act embodies fair information principles in a statutory
framework governing the means by which the United States Government
collects, maintains, uses, and disseminates individuals' records. The
Privacy Act applies to information that is maintained in a ``system of
records.'' A ``system of records'' is a group of any records under the
control of an agency for which information is retrieved by the name of
an individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other
identifying particular assigned to the individual. In the Privacy Act,
an individual is defined to encompass United States citizens and lawful
permanent residents. As a matter of policy, DHS extends administrative
Privacy Act protections to all individuals where systems of records
maintain information on U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and
visitors. Individuals may request access to their own records that are
maintained in a system of records in the possession or under the
control of DHS by complying with DHS Privacy Act regulations, 6 CFR
Part 5.
The Privacy Act requires each agency to publish in the Federal
Register a description denoting the type and character of each system
of records that the agency maintains, and the routine uses that are
contained in each system in order to make agency record keeping
practices transparent, to notify individuals regarding the uses of
their records, and to assist individuals to more easily find such files
within the agency. Below is the description of the DHS/ICE Removable
Alien Records System.
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(r), DHS has provided a report of
this system of records to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and
to Congress.
SYSTEM OF RECORDS
DHS/ICE-011
System name:
Removable Alien Records System (RARS).
Security classification:
Unclassified.
System location:
Records are maintained at the United States Immigration and Customs
Enforcement Headquarters in Washington, DC and in field offices.
Categories of individuals covered by the system:
Categories of individuals covered by this system include aliens
removed and alleged to be removable by DHS/ICE.
Categories of records in the system:
Categories of records in this system may include:
Alien's name;
Alien file number;
Date of birth;
Country of birth;
United States addresses;
Foreign addresses;
ICE case file number;
Subject ID and Person ID;
Fingerprint Identification (FINS) number;
[[Page 20720]]
Bureau of Prisons/U.S. Marshals Service number;
FBI number;
Event ID;
Immigration bond number;
Charge;
Amount of bond;
Hearing date;
Case assignment;
Scheduling date;
Sections of law under which excludability/removability is
alleged;
Data collected to support DHS/ICE's position on
excludability/removability, including information on any violations of
law and conviction information;
Date, place, and type of last entry into the United
States;
Attorney/representative's contact information (Last Name;
First Name; Middle Name; Suffix; Law Firm; Dates of representation;
whether a G-28 has been filed)
Family data;
DHS/ICE agents assigned;
Employer Information: (Employer Name; Employment Start
Date and End Date; County; Address; Zip Code; Telephone number;
Compensation Type; Salary/Wage;);
Government decisions concerning an individual's request
for immigration benefits and information about other immigration-
related actions by the Government (e.g., dismissals, entry of orders of
removal, etc.); and
Other case-related information.
Authority for maintenance of the system:
5 U.S.C. 301; 44 U.S.C. 3101; 8 U.S.C. 1103, 1227, 1228, 1229,
1229a, and 1231.
Purpose(s):
The purpose of this system is to assist DHS/ICE in the removal and
detention of aliens in accordance with immigration and nationality
laws. This system also serves as a docket and control system by
providing management with information concerning the status and/or
disposition of removable aliens.
Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories
of users and the purposes of such uses:
In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C.
552a(b) of the Privacy Act, all or a portion of the records of
information contained in this system may be disclosed outside DHS as a
routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows:
A. To the Department of Justice or other Federal agency conducting
litigation or in proceedings before any court, adjudicative or
administrative body, when it is necessary to the litigation and one of
the following is a party to the litigation or has an interest in such
litigation:
1. DHS or any component thereof;
2. any employee of DHS in his/her official capacity;
3. any employee of DHS in his/her individual capacity where DOJ or
DHS has agreed to represent the employee; or
4. the United States or any agency thereof, is a party to the
litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and DHS determines
that the records are both relevant and necessary to the litigation and
the use of such records is compatible with the purpose for which DHS
collected the records.
B. To a congressional office from the record of an individual in
response to an inquiry from that congressional office made at the
request of the individual to whom the record pertains.
C. To the National Archives and Records Administration or other
Federal government agencies pursuant to records management inspections
being conducted under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.
D. To an agency, organization, or individual for the purpose of
performing audit or oversight operations as authorized by law, but only
such information as is necessary and relevant to such audit or
oversight function.
E. To appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when:
1. DHS suspects or has confirmed that the security or
confidentiality of information in the system of records has been
compromised;
2. The Department has determined that as a result of the suspected
or confirmed compromise there is a risk of harm to economic or property
interests, identity theft or fraud, or harm to the security or
integrity of this system or other systems or programs (whether
maintained by DHS or another agency or entity) or harm to the
individual who relies upon the compromised information; and
3. The disclosure made to such agencies, entities, and persons is
reasonably necessary to assist in connection with DHS's efforts to
respond to the suspected or confirmed compromise and prevent, minimize,
or remedy such harm.
F. To contractors and their agents, grantees, experts, consultants,
and others performing or working on a contract, service, grant,
cooperative agreement, or other assignment for DHS, when necessary to
accomplish an agency function related to this system of records.
Individuals provided information under this routine use are subject to
the same Privacy Act requirements and limitations on disclosure as are
applicable to DHS officers and employees.
G. To an appropriate Federal, State, Tribal, local, international,
or foreign law enforcement agency or other appropriate authority
charged with investigating or prosecuting a violation or enforcing or
implementing a law, rule, regulation, or order, where a record, either
on its face or in conjunction with other information, indicates a
violation or potential violation of law, which includes criminal,
civil, or regulatory violations and such disclosure is proper and
consistent with the official duties of the person making the
disclosure.
H. To a court, magistrate, administrative tribunal, opposing
counsel, parties, and witnesses, in the course of a civil or criminal
proceeding before a court or adjudicative body when
1. DHS or any component thereof; or
2. any employee of DHS in his or her official capacity; or
3. any employee of DHS in his or her individual capacity where the
agency has agreed to represent the employee; or
4. the United States, where DHS determines that litigation is
likely to affect DHS or any of its components, is a party to litigation
or has an interest in such litigation, and DHS determines that use of
such records is relevant and necessary to the litigation, provided
however that in each case, DHS determines that disclosure of the
information to the recipient is a use of the information that is
compatible with the purpose for which it was collected.
I. To a court, magistrate, or administrative tribunal in the course
of presenting evidence, including disclosures to opposing counsel or
witnesses in the course of civil discovery, litigation, or settlement
negotiations or in connection with criminal law proceedings.
J. To other Federal, State, local, or foreign government agencies,
individuals, and organizations during the course of an investigation,
proceeding, or activity within the purview of immigration and
nationality laws to elicit information required by DHS/ICE to carry out
its functions and statutory mandates.
K. To the appropriate foreign government agency charged with
enforcing or implementing laws where there is an indication of a
violation or potential violation of the law of another nation (whether
civil or criminal), and to international organizations engaged in the
collection and dissemination of intelligence concerning criminal
activity.
[[Page 20721]]
L. To other Federal agencies for the purpose of conducting national
intelligence and security investigations.
M. To any Federal agency, where appropriate, to enable such agency
to make determinations regarding the payment of Federal benefits to the
record subject in accordance with that agency's statutory
responsibilities.
N. To an actual or potential party or his or her attorney for the
purpose of negotiation or discussion on such matters as settlement of
the case or matter, or informal discovery proceedings.
O. To foreign governments for the purpose of coordinating and
conducting the removal of aliens from the United States to other
nations.
P. To family members and attorneys or other agents acting on behalf
of an alien to assist those individuals in determining whether (1) the
alien has been arrested by DHS for immigration violations, and (2) the
location of the alien if in DHS custody, provided however, that the
requesting individuals are able to verify the alien's date of birth or
Alien Registration Number (A-Number), or can otherwise present adequate
verification of a familial or agency relationship with the alien.
Q. To the U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office of
Immigration Review (EOIR) or their contractors, consultants, or others
performing or working on a contract for EOIR, for the purpose of
providing information about aliens who are or may be placed in removal
proceedings so that EOIR may arrange for the provision of educational
services to those aliens under EOIR's Legal Orientation Program.
R. To attorneys or legal representatives for the purpose of
facilitating group presentations to aliens in detention that will
provide the aliens with information about their rights under U.S.
immigration law and procedures.
S. To the news media and the public, with the approval of the Chief
Privacy Officer in consultation with counsel, when there exists a
legitimate public interest in the disclosure of the information or when
disclosure is necessary to preserve confidence in the integrity of DHS
or is necessary to demonstrate the accountability of DHS's officers,
employees, or individuals covered by the system, except to the extent
it is determined that release of the specific information in the
context of a particular case would constitute an unwarranted invasion
of personal privacy.
Disclosure to consumer reporting agencies:
None.
Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining,
and disposing of records in the system:
Storage:
Records in this system are stored electronically or on paper in
secure facilities in a locked drawer behind a locked door. The records
are stored on magnetic disc, tape, digital media, and CD-ROM.
Retrievability:
Records are retrieved by Name, A-file number, alien's Bureau of
Prisons/U.S. Marshal number, case number, subject ID, person ID, FINS
number, event ID, state ID, FBI number, and/or bond number.
Safeguards:
Records in this system are safeguarded in accordance with
applicable rules and policies, including all applicable DHS automated
system security access policies. Strict controls have been imposed to
minimize the risk of compromising the information that is being stored.
Access to the computer system containing the records in this system is
limited to those individuals who have a need to know the information
for the performance of their official duties and who have appropriate
clearances or permissions.
Retention and Disposal:
Cases that have been closed for a year are archived and stored in
the database for 75 years, then deleted. Copies of forms used within
this system of records are placed in the alien's file. Electronic
copies of records (copies from electronic mail and word processing
systems) which are produced and made part of the file are deleted
within 180 days after the recordkeeping copy is produced.
System Manager and address:
Director, Detention and Removal Operations, Immigration and Customs
Enforcement Headquarters, 500 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024.
Notification procedure:
The Secretary of Homeland Security has exempted this system from
the notification, access, and amendment procedures of the Privacy Act
because it is a law enforcement system. However, CBP will consider
requests individual requests to determine whether or not information
may be released. Thus, individuals seeking notification of and access
to any record contained in this system of records, or seeking to
contest its content, may submit a request in writing to United States
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Freedom of Information Act Office,
800 North Capitol Street, NW., Room 585, Washington, DC 20536.
When seeking records about yourself from this system of records or
any other ICE system of records your request must conform with the
Privacy Act regulations set forth in 6 CFR Part 5. You must first
verify your identity, meaning that you must provide your full name,
current address and date and place of birth. You must sign your
request, and your signature must either be notarized or submitted under
28 U.S.C. 1746, a law that permits statements to be made under penalty
of perjury as a substitute for notarization. While no specific form is
required, you may obtain forms for this purpose from the Director,
Disclosure and FOIA, http://www.dhs.gov or 1-866-431-0486. In addition
you should provide the following:
An explanation of why you believe the Department would
have information on you,
Specify when you believe the records would have been
created,
If your request is seeking records pertaining to another
living individual, you must include a statement from that individual
certifying his/her agreement for you to access his/her records.
Without this bulleted information the ICE may not be able to
conduct an effective search, and your request may be denied due to lack
of specificity or lack of compliance with applicable regulations.
Record access procedures:
See ``Notification procedure'' above.
Contesting record procedures:
See ``Notification procedure'' above.
Record source categories:
Alien; alien's attorney/representative; DHS/ICE agent; other
Federal, State, local and foreign agencies; and the courts.
Exemptions claimed for the system:
The Secretary of Homeland Security has exempted this system from
subsections (c)(3) and (4), (d), (e)(1), (2), and (3), (e)(4)(G) and
(H), (e)(5) and (8), (f), and (g) of the Privacy Act pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 552a(j)(2). In addition, the Secretary of Homeland Security has
exempted portions of this system from subsections (c)(3), (d), (e)(1),
(e)(4)(G) and (H), and (f) of the Privacy Act pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
552a(k)(2). These exemptions apply only to the extent that records in
the system are subject to exemption pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2) and
(k)(2).
[[Page 20722]]
Dated: April 28, 2009.
Mary Ellen Callahan,
Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. E9-10260 Filed 5-4-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-28-P