[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 49 (Thursday, March 13, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 11948]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6257]



[[Page 11948]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


New Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: United States Information Agency.

ACTION: Request OMB emergency approval: Certificate of eligibility for 
exchange visitor status (J-1 Visa).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    The United States Information Agency has submitted the following 
information collection request (ICR) requesting emergency review 
procedures to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
[Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. OMB approval has been 
requested by March 14, 1997. If granted the emergency approval is only 
valid for 180 days.
    During the first 60 days of this same period a regular review of 
this information collection is also being undertaken. Comments are 
encouraged and will be accepted until May 12, 1997 concerning the 
public use form entitled ``Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange 
Visitor Status (J-1 Visa)''. Comments are requested concerning: (a) 
whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the agency, including whether the information has 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's burden estimates; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information collected and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on the respondents, including the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of 
this collection of information to the United States Information Agency, 
M/ADD, 301 Fourth Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547; and to the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, New Executive Office Building, Docket Library, Room 10202, 
NEOB, Washington, D.C. 20503.

SUMMARY: In cooperation with the U.S. Information Agency (USIA), the 
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), was mandated by Congress 
under Public Law, 104-208, Subtitle D, Section 641 of the Illegal 
Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, to 
implement a pilot program by which institutions of higher education and 
designated exchange visitor programs may electronically generate and 
submit this collection of information to administer and monitor 
nonimmigrant exchange visitor status by the INS and USIA on a regular 
basis. The statutory time-line for implementation of this pilot program 
mandated by the Attorney General requires an emergency review of this 
information collection. The pilot program is scheduled to commence on 
April 7, 1997.
    In addition, this program is conducted pursuant to the mandate 
given to USIA under the terms and conditions of the Mutual Educational 
and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Title 22 Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), Section 514, Exchange Visitor Program, Final Rule; and Title 8, 
Section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

COPIES: Copies of the Request for Clearance (OMB 83-I), supporting 
statement, and other documents that have been submitted to OMB for 
approval may be obtained from the USIA Clearance Officer. Comments 
should be submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs 
of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for USIA, and also to the USIA 
Clearance Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Agency Clearance Office, Ms. Jeannette Giovetti, United States 
Information Agency, M/ADD, 301 Fourth Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 
20547, telephone (202) 619-4408; and OMB review: Ms. Victoria Wassmer, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, New Executive Office Building, Docket Library, Room 10202, 
NEOB, Washington, D.C. 20503, Telephone (202) 395-3176.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public reporting burden for this new 
collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes per 
response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching 
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and 
completing and reviewing the collection of information.
    Title: ``Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status'', 
(J-1 Visa).
    Form Number: IAP-66P.
    Abstract: This form will be used to electronically collect and 
submit information in a limited pilot environment from non-immigrant 
exchange visitors participating in exchange visitor programs in the 
U.S. in order that INS and USIA can monitor the exchange visitors 
nonimmigrant status and ensure that the exchange visitors do not 
violate the conditions imposed by their nonimmigrant status while 
participating in an exchange visitor program.
    Proposed Frequency of Responses: 
    No. of Respondents--10,000;
    Recordkeeping Hours--.50;
    Total Annual Burden--20,000.

    Dated: March 6, 1997.
Rose Royal,
Federal Register Liaison.
[FR Doc. 97-6257 Filed 3-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M