Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Obligor Change of Address
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Homeland Security needs people to tell them if they move to a new house, using a special form, so they can stay in touch. They are asking people to say if they like this form or have ideas for it by January 2, 2025.
Summary AI
The Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is proposing an extension, without changes, of a currently approved data collection method known as the Obligor Change of Address form. This effort is part of adhering to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, allowing public comments up to January 2, 2025. ICE uses this form to accurately manage communications with individuals (or "obligors") who need to notify ICE of any address changes. The estimated completion time for the form is about 15 minutes, with an overall projected annual burden of 1,321 hours based on 5,282 responses.
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will submit the following Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance. This information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on September 18, 2024, allowing for a 60-day comment period. ICE received one unrelated comment. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments. The burden was updated from the 60-day notice due to adjustments in the Agency estimates.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document originates from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and pertains to the extension of a currently approved form titled the "Obligor Change of Address." This extension is executed in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and calls for public comment until January 2, 2025. The form enables ICE to maintain accurate correspondence with individuals, referred to as "obligors," who must report any changes in their address. Each response is anticipated to take about 15 minutes, with an annual burden totaling 1,321 hours due to an estimated 5,282 responses.
General Summary
This notice emphasizes the requirement for obligors, essentially individuals or entities that owe a legal duty to ICE, to inform the agency of any address changes via a standardized form. This practice aims to streamline communications and reduce administrative errors. As ICE seeks an extension of the form without modifications, it opens the floor for public comments on this process.
Significant Issues or Concerns
A notable issue with the document is its use of specialized terminology like "obligor," "ICR" (Information Collection Request), and "PRA" (Paperwork Reduction Act) without adequate definitions, which may confuse lay readers. The document does not extensively detail the necessity of this data collection in the context of the agency's tasks, raising questions about its practical utility. Additionally, the mention of an "unrelated comment" received during the initial comment period leaves readers unsure of how such feedback was addressed or its impact.
Another concern is the implication of changes in "Agency estimates," which impacts the burden assessment, yet the document lacks transparency on what these changes entail. It would be helpful if the document outlined the methods or criteria used to evaluate and potentially minimize the burden on respondents. Lastly, the document fails to explore why no changes are proposed for the extension, which could otherwise provide insights into its continued relevance or need for modification.
Public and Stakeholder Impact
Broad Public Impact
The general public might perceive this as another governmental procedure, potentially leading to bureaucratic difficulties or time burdens, especially for those fulfilling these obligations. While the process may seem routine, the allowance for public comments does offer a platform for individuals to express any concerns or suggestions they might have.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For stakeholders such as state, local, or tribal governments that might be involved in the process, the document is crucial as it dictates the framework for maintaining compliance with ICE communications. These entities must ensure obligors within their jurisdiction are aware of and comply with such requirements to avoid potential complications.
Also, the obligors themselves, who are mainly individuals dealing with ICE, are directly impacted as they need to account for this time expenditure and administrative task. However, the document does propose potential benefits by aiming to enhance communication efficacy and prevent miscommunications or missed correspondence, which might otherwise lead to more serious legal implications.
In summary, while the document facilitates ongoing administrative duties, it would benefit from greater clarity and openness regarding its objectives, practical utility, and stakeholder impact. The invitation for public comment provides an opportunity for engagement, but better elucidation could foster more informed and meaningful participation.
Issues
• The document title mentions an 'Obligor Change of Address' information collection, but does not clearly define what an 'obligor' is, potentially causing confusion.
• The connection between this specific collection activity and its importance in fulfilling the agency's tasks is not explicitly detailed, which could make it difficult to assess the necessity of the collection.
• The document could be clearer about how the 'unrelated comment' received during the 60-day period was addressed, if at all, and whether it had any impact on the current notice.
• The document mentions a change in 'Agency estimates' affecting the burden but does not specify what these changes are or how they were determined.
• The notice does not specify what criteria or measures were used to evaluate the 'burden' of the collection and whether alternative methods were considered to reduce this burden.
• The document uses specialized terms (e.g., 'ICR', 'PRA', 'Obligor') without defining them fully, potentially making it less accessible to the general public.
• The document's language could be simplified to make it more understandable to laypersons, particularly concerning the process for public comment submission.
• There is no explanation of why the extension is 'Without Change,' which could be important information for those evaluating the collection's relevance and impact.
• There is a lack of detail on how the collected information will specifically be used to enhance communication between ICE and the obligor.