[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28034-28035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11915]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
[Docket No. DHS-2010-0018]
National Protection and Programs Directorate; Agency Information
Collection Activities: United States Visitor and Immigrant Status
Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) Biometric Data Collection at the Ports
of Entry
AGENCY: National Protection and Programs Directorate, DHS.
ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for comments; Revision of existing
information collection request: 1600-0006.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security, National Protection and
Programs Directorate (NPPD), US-VISIT, 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 concerning this biometric data collection at the
ports of entry. DHS previously published this information collection
request (ICR) in the Federal Register on March 9, 2010, at 75 FR 10809,
for a 60-day public comment period. The purpose of this notice is to
allow an additional 30 days for public comments.
DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until June 18,
2010. 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, Office of Management and Budget. 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-2010-0018 and may be submitted by one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
E-mail: [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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DHS established US-VISIT to meet specific
legislative mandates intended to strengthen border security, provide
decision-makers with critical information, and demonstrate progress
toward national security performance goals, therefore expediting trade
and travel and supporting immigration system improvements. US-VISIT
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 Federal 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 10. 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,
on December 19, 2008, 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'' 73 FR 77473.
That rule became effective on January 18, 2009, and expanded the
population of aliens subject to US-VISIT requirements.
DHS received three comments in response to the 60-day notice
published on March 9, 2010.
Comment: One commenter reported that he had taken manual
fingerprints for years and stated that it was better to take an extra
20 seconds to capture all 10 digits in order to better validate an
individual's identity.
Response: US-VISIT relies on the collection and use of inkless
fingerscans to establish and verify identity in support of homeland
security decision-makers. US-VISIT continues to refine the fingerscan
technology capability to accurately capture biometric data to enhance
security while expediting legitimate travel and trade.
[[Page 28035]]
Comment: One commenter stated that the fingerprint technology is
accurate and effective, that a 35 second delay in entering the United
States to capture fingerprints is a very small amount of time to ensure
the safety of United States citizens and praised DHS for ``great
work.''
Response: US-VISIT is pleased to receive this positive appraisal.
By providing decision-makers with the information they need--where and
when they need it--US-VISIT is helping to make U.S. immigration and
border management efforts more collaborative, streamlined, and
effective.
Comment: One commenter stated that because violence on the U.S.
border is on the rise and the situation will most likely become worse
over the coming years, it is essential that law enforcement officials
be given access to the US-VISIT program to ensure the security of
Americans domestically.
Response: Under US-VISIT, information systems associated with
border inspections and security are being linked. Biometric and other
information are available to appropriate staff in U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), Department of State
consular officers, and other staff involved with the adjudication of
visa applications at overseas posts; other DHS officers; and
appropriate officers of the United States intelligence and law
enforcement community when needed for the performance of their duties.
US-VISIT also supports other Federal agencies, State and local law
enforcement, and the intelligence community in their screening and
enforcement missions by sharing biometrics of individuals deemed a
threat by DHS and by receiving data from other agencies for individuals
deemed to be a threat to national security. US-VISIT will continue to
integrate appropriate additional databases and ensure interoperability
with other databases as appropriate. In so doing, US-VISIT directly
supports the DHS strategic goal of protecting our Nation from dangerous
people.
OMB is particularly interested in comments which:
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.
Analysis
Agency: Department of Homeland Security, NPPD, US-VISIT.
Title: US-VISIT Program.
Form: N/A.
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 Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $53,211,000.
Thomas Chase Garwood, III,
Chief Information Officer, National Protection and Programs
Directorate, Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2010-11915 Filed 5-18-10; 8:45 am]
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