Supporting Statement

> **Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal**

#### Form I-589  {#form-i-589 .unnumbered}

> **(OMB No. 1615-0067)**

**A. Justification.**

\(1\) The information provided on this form is used by the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS), and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), a
component of the Department of Justice (DOJ), to determine whether an
alien applying for asylum and/or withholding of removal or deportation
in the United States is classifiable as a refugee, and is eligible to
remain in the United States. Section 208(b) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (INA), charges DHS and DOJ with establishing procedures
whereby aliens may apply for asylum. Under 8 CFR 208.3 and 208.4 the
Form I-589 is used to standardized the collection of information
relevant to the asylum determination.

(2) USCIS and EOIR use the data collected on the Form I-589 to determine
    eligibility of persons applying for asylum and for withholding of
    removal. Under section 208(a)(1) of the INA, any alien who is
    physically present in the United States, or at a land border or port
    of entry, may apply for asylum regardless of such alien's status. In
    the first instance, a corps of professional asylum officers
    adjudicate the applications from aliens who are not subject to
    removal proceedings, or who have not yet been placed in removal
    proceedings. Immigration judges adjudicate asylum applications of
    individuals in removal proceedings. The form serves the purpose of
    standardizing the application and ensuring that applicants provide
    the required information necessary for assessing eligibility.

> USCIS also uses the Form I-589 to serve as an alternate application
> for evidence of employment authorization for individuals granted
> asylum, eliminating their need to file a separate Form I-765,
> Application for Employment Authorization (OMB No. 1615-0040) with
> USCIS if, after being granted asylum, they wish to receive an
> Employment Authorization Document (EAD) containing both evidence of
> employment authorization and identity. The Form I-589 collects the
> same biographic information as that collected by the Form I-765. In
> cases where asylum is granted, the biographic information contained on
> the Form I-589 could also be used to generate the Employment
> Authorization Document (EAD). USCIS must issue an EAD with a photo and
> fingerprint to asylees "immediately" upon the grant of asylum.
>
> USCIS uses information on the Form I-589 that is entered into the
> asylum processing database (Refugee, Asylum and Parole System (RAPS))
> and electronically shares this data with the database used to process
> employment authorization applications (Computer Linked Application
> Information Management System (CLAIMS)), which eliminates the need for
> duplicate mailroom and data entry functions and the associated
> personnel costs.
>
> Dual use of the form also benefits asylees and persons granted
> withholding of removal. They receive USCIS-issued evidence of identity
> and work authorization immediately after they obtain notice of
> decision to grant asylum, thus enabling them to promptly work and
> access any public benefits to which they may be entitled.

(3) At this time, this form provides the most efficient means for
    collecting and processing the required data. USCIS is in the process
    of further enhancing customer service by developing a means of
    accepting electronic submission of the Form I-589 as part of the
    Business Transformation Project.

\(4\) A review of the DHS Forms Inventory Report revealed no duplication
of effort for this information collection.

\(5\) The collection of information does not have an impact on small
businesses or other small entities.

\(6\) If the information were not collected, DHS and DOJ would not be in
compliance with section 208(b) of the INA, that charges DHS and DOJ to
establish procedures whereby aliens are able to apply for asylum. This
instrument facilitates the ability of aliens to apply for asylum as well
as for withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) of the INA. The
use of a form, rather than permitting a free narrative, focuses the
applicant on the specific details that are legally relevant, and ensures
that all necessary elements are addressed. If this information were not
collected, the adjudicator would be unable to prepare for the interview
or hearing by reviewing relevant law and country conditions, and there
would be no sworn, written record of the applicant's claim. Because the
applicant is required to come forward with his or her claim in a
systematic and organized fashion, this form allows DHS and DOJ to
address a greater volume of applications and to concentrate efforts on
approving meritorious claims.

\(7\) The special circumstances contained in item 7 of the supporting
statement are not applicable to this information collection.

\(8\) DHS will address comments prior to publishing the 30-day notice in
the Federal Register.

\(9\) DHS and DOJ do not provide payments or gifts to applicants in
exchange for a benefit sought.

^(10)\ Confidentiality\ of\ an\ application\ for\ asylum\ or\ withholding\ of\ removal\ is\ governed\ by\ 8\ CFR\ 208.6\ and\ 1208.6.^

^(11)\ Certain\ questions\ on\ this\ form\ relate\ to\ topics\ of\ a\ sensitive\ nature\ such\ as\ race,\ religion,\ nationality,\ membership\ in\ a\ particular\ social\ group,\ or\ a\ person's\ political\ opinion.\ However,\ these\ questions\ are\ necessary\ to\ help\ determine\ whether\ an\ applicant\ for\ asylum\ qualifies\ as\ a\ refugee,\ as\ that\ term\ is\ defined\ in\ section\ 101(a)(42)\ of\ the\ INA:\ a\ refugee\ is\ a\ person\ who\ is\ unable\ or\ unwilling\ to\ return\ to\ his\ or\ her\ country\ of\ nationality\ or\ last\ habitual\ residence,\ because\ of\ persecution\ on\ account\ of\ race,\ religion,\ nationality,\ membership\ in\ a\ particular\ social\ group,\ or\ political\ opinion.\ Aside\ from\ some\ general\ questions,\ these\ issues\ are\ explored\ only\ to\ the\ degree\ that\ they\ are\ raised\ by\ the\ applicant\'s\ claim\ for\ protection\ as\ an\ asylee\ under\ section\ 208(a)\ of\ the\ INA,\ or\ for\ withholding\ of\ removal\ under\ section\ 241(b)(3)\ of\ the\ INA.^

^(12)\ Annual\ Reporting\ Burden:^

^a.\ Number\ of\ Respondents\ 63,138\*^

^b.\ Number\ of\ Responses\ per\ each\ Respondent\ 1^

^c.\ Total\ Annual\ Responses\ 63,138^

^d.\ Hours\ per\ Response\ 12^

^e.\ Total\ Annual\ Reporting\ Burden\ 757,656^

> ^\*(This\ figure\ is\ based\ on\ approximately\ 45,000\ affirmative\ applications\ filed\ with\ USCIS,\ on\ average,\ over\ the\ last\ 5\ fiscal\ years\ (of\ the\ 45,000\ applications\ filed\ with\ USCIS,\ 31,500\ (affirmative\ filings\ not\ granted\ by\ USCIS)\ are\ referred\ to\ EOIR.\ In\ addition,\ it\ is\ estimated\ that\ 18,138\ defensive\ applications\ are\ filed\ directly\ with\ EOIR\ on\ average,\ over\ the\ same\ 5\ year\ period.)^
>
> ^The\ projected\ hours\ per\ response\ for\ this\ collection\ of\ information\ were\ derived\ by\ first\ breaking\ the\ process\ into\ three\ basic\ components.^

^Learning\ about\ the\ law\ and\ the\ form\ 2\ hours^

^Completing\ the\ form\ 5\ hours^

^Assembling\ and\ filing\ the\ form\ 5\ hours^

^TOTAL\ Hours\ per\ Response\ 12\ hours^

> ^The\ time\ estimates\ are\ based\ on\ the\ time\ it\ takes\ to\ complete\ the\ current\ form.\ The\ third\ component\ of\ the\ process,\ assembling\ and\ filing\ the\ form,\ was\ broken\ down\ into\ sub-tasks.\ For\ example,\ the\ form\ can\ be\ mailed\ to\ a\ DHS\ office\ or\ filed\ in\ person.\ Thus\ the\ time\ necessary\ to\ actually\ file\ the\ form\ can\ vary\ widely\ depending\ on\ the\ circumstances\ of\ the\ applicant.^

**^Annual\ Public\ Burden^**

> ^**The\ total\ annual\ reporting\ burden\ hours\ are\ 757,656.**\ This\ figure\ was\ derived\ by\ multiplying\ the\ number\ of\ respondents\ (63,138)\ x\ frequency\ of\ response\ (1)\ x\ hours\ per\ response\ (12\ hours).^

(13) ^There\ are\ no\ capital\ or\ start-up\ costs\ associated\ with\ this\ information\ collection.\ Any\ cost\ burdens\ to\ respondents\ as\ a\ result\ of\ this\ collection\ are\ identified\ in\ item\ 14.\ There\ are\ no\ fees\ associated\ with\ this\ information\ collection.^

^(14)\ Annualized\ Cost\ Analysis:^

^a.\ Printing\ Cost\ \$\ 53,036^

^b.\ Collection\ and\ Processing\ \$80,840,016^

^c.\ Total\ Cost\ to\ Program\ \$80,893,052^

^d.\ Fee\ Charge\ 0^

^e.\ Total\ Cost\ to\ Government\ \$80,893,052^

### ^Government\ Cost^ {#government-cost .unnumbered}

> **^The\ estimated\ cost\ of\ the\ program\ to\ the\ Government\ is\ \$80,893,052.^**
>
> ^**The\ cost\ for\ USCIS\ is\ \$29,753,036.**\ This\ figure\ is\ calculated\ by\ using\ the\ estimated\ average\ number\ of\ respondents\ (45,000)\ multiplied\ by\ 16.5\ hours\ (This\ figure\ includes\ the\ total\ time\ required\ to\ collect,\ process,\ and\ adjudicate\ information\ by\ the\ Asylum\ Division,\ Service\ Centers,\ and\ Trial\ Attorneys,\ multiplied\ by\ \$40.00\ (the\ suggested\ average\ hourly\ rate\ for\ clerical,\ Asylum\ Officer,\ Trial\ Attorney,\ and\ managerial\ time\ with\ benefits),\ plus\ the\ estimated\ annual\ overhead\ cost\ for\ printing,\ stocking,\ and\ distributing\ this\ form\ (\$53,036).^
>
> ^**The\ cost\ for\ EOIR\ is\ \$51,140,016\ .**\ This\ figure\ is\ calculated\ by:^

-   ^Multiplying\ EOIR's\ affirmative\ and\ defensive\ filings\ (49,638)\ x\ \$582\ (this\ cost\ figure\ represents\ the\ average\ cost\ for\ all\ affirmative\ (31,500)\ and\ defensive\ (18,138)\ filings\ completed\ by\ EOIR's,\ Immigration\ Judges);\ and^

-   ^Multiplying\ the\ number\ of\ cases\ transmitted\ for\ appeal\ with\ EOIR's\ Board\ of\ Immigration\ Appeals\ (20,100\*\*)\ x\ \$1,107\ (this\ cost\ figure\ represents\ the\ average\ cost\ for\ all\ appeals\ completed\ by\ EOIR's,\ Board\ of\ Immigration\ Appeals).^

> ^\*\*Of\ the\ affirmative\ (31,500)\ and\ defensive\ (18,138)\ filings\ adjudicated\ by\ EOIR's\ Immigration\ Judges,\ approximately\ 20,100\ cases\ are\ appealed\ to\ EOIR's,\ Board\ of\ Immigration\ Appeals.^

**^Public\ Cost^**

> ^**The\ estimated\ annual\ public\ cost\ is\ \$7,576,560.**\ This\ is\ based\ on\ the\ number\ of\ respondents\ 63,138\ x\ 12\ hours\ per\ response\ x\ \$10\ (average\ hourly\ rate).^

^(15)\ There\ is\ no\ increase\ or\ decrease\ in\ the\ annual\ burden\ hours\ for\ this\ information\ collection.^

(16) ^DHS\ does\ not\ intend\ to\ employ\ the\ use\ of\ statistics\ or\ the\ publication\ thereof\ for\ this\ collection\ of\ information.^

(17) ^DHS\ is\ not\ seeking\ a\ waiver\ to\ display\ the\ expiration\ date\ of\ the\ OMB\ approval\ for\ this\ information\ collection.^

(18) ^DHS\ does\ not\ request\ an\ exception\ to\ the\ certification\ of\ this\ information\ collection.^

**^B.\ Collection\ of\ Information\ Employing\ Statistical\ Methods.^**

^Not\ Applicable.^

#  {#section .unnumbered}

# **^Certification\ and\ Signature.^**

## ^PAPERWORK\ CERTIFICATION^ {#paperwork-certification .unnumbered}

^In\ submitting\ this\ request\ for\ OMB\ approval,\ I\ certify\ that\ the\ requirements\ of\ the\ Privacy\ Act\ and\ OMB\ directives\ have\ been\ complied\ with\ including\ paperwork\ regulations,\ statistical\ standards\ of\ directives,\ and\ any\ other\ information\ policy\ directives\ promulgated\ under\ 5\ CFR\ 1320.^

^\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_^

###### ^Sunday\ Aigbe,\ Date^ {#sunday-aigbe-date .unnumbered}

^[Chief,]{.underline}^

[Regulatory Management Division]{.underline},

[U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services]{.underline},

[Department of Homeland Security.]{.underline}