FR 2021-02413

The Department of State has released a notice inviting public commentary on a proposed collection of additional information from certain visa applicants. This process, which adheres to the Paperwork Reduction Act, seeks to improve scrutiny for applicants potentially posing terrorism or national security risks. The collection asks for various personal details, including travel, address, and employment history over the past 15 years, as well as information about family members. This effort aims to enhance the visa evaluation process by providing consular officers with more comprehensive data, ensuring applicants are thoroughly screened.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several issues arise from this notice, potentially causing concern among stakeholders and the wider public:

1. Transparency in Utilizing Public Comments: The document does not explicitly articulate how public comments will influence decisions regarding the information collection process. This lack of transparency could lead to public apprehension about the value of their input and the decision-making process.

2. Changes to Information Collection: It mentions that previous requirements for social media identifiers have been removed, but it does not explain the reasoning behind this change. Greater understanding of why these fields were excluded could address potential concerns about the thoroughness of security checks.

3. Criteria for Additional Scrutiny: The criteria used by consular officers to determine which applicants require additional scrutiny are not clearly defined. Providing explicit guidelines could enhance fairness and consistency, reducing subjective decision-making.

4. Consistency Across Posts: There is no mention of how the Department will ensure uniformity in applying these additional questions across various consular posts worldwide, which could potentially lead to inconsistencies in the implementation process.

5. Privacy Considerations: The document does not address privacy concerns related to collecting sensitive personal information, such as previous addresses and family details. This omission could raise questions about safeguarding applicants' data.

6. Potential Underestimation of Time Burden: With an average response time estimated at 55 minutes, this duration may be underestimated for individuals with complex histories, thus imposing a greater burden than anticipated.

7. Security Measures: There is no mention of the specific technologies or measures to secure the host of personal data collected, which may worry applicants about the safety and confidentiality of their information.

Broader Public Impact

The introduction of this information collection proposal has varied implications for the general public. For visa applicants subject to this additional scrutiny, there is a potential for increased administrative burden and privacy concerns, especially for those with extensive personal histories. The process aims, however, to strengthen national security by thorough vetting, potentially reassuring the public about the integrity of the U.S. visa system.

Specific Stakeholder Impacts

1. Visa Applicants: Those flagged for extra scrutiny may find the process burdensome and intrusive, facing challenges due to a need for detailed historical information and possible difficulties in acquiring supporting documentation.

2. Consular Officers: The additional questions provide consular officers with tools to make better-informed decisions, aligning with national security protocols. However, the lack of clear guidelines may complicate their decision-making process, leading to inconsistencies.

3. Privacy Advocates: Concerns may rise from these groups regarding the collection and protection of personal information. They may advocate for clearer policies on data security and privacy protections to mitigate potential violations.

Overall, while the initiative seeks to reinforce security measures, it is critical to address the outlined concerns to balance national safety interests with individual liberties and privacy.