FR 2025-04770

The recent notice from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), concerning the extension of information collection for the Training Plan for STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) students provides both an opportunity and a challenge for students and related stakeholders. With a focus on Form I-983, this procedure is crucial for documenting the terms and progress of STEM students' practical training in the United States.

General Summary

The primary purpose of this notice is to inform the public about an extension of an information collection requirement related to STEM OPT students. The process involves Form I-983, which must be completed by the student and their employer, and is intended to outline the student's practical training in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The DHS is gathering public comments until May 19, 2025, to evaluate the utility and accuracy of the current information collection methods.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Despite providing a general overview, this document presents several areas of concern and ambiguity:

• Estimation of Burden Hours: A significant concern is the lack of clarity in how the estimated annual burden of 737,540 hours for compliance is calculated. Understanding this calculation is crucial for assessing the true impact of these requirements.

• Details on Form Reformatting: While the notice signals upcoming changes to Form I-983 regarding the collection of contact and compensation information, it falls short of detailing what these changes entail and how they will address existing issues.

• Individual Respondent Burden: There is an absence of a detailed breakdown describing how much time an average respondent will spend completing the form, which could provide clarity to those affected.

• Use of Technology: Although the document mentions improvements related to technological submission processes, it does not specify what these enhancements will entail beyond electronic submissions.

• Stakeholder Impacts: The document does not sufficiently identify which stakeholders—including students, schools, and employers—will be affected and how changes might impact each group.

Broader Public Impact

Broadly, the document suggests an effort by DHS to streamline and improve the information collection related to STEM OPT, which could potentially reduce administrative burdens and improve data accuracy. However, without clear details, the impact on the public remains unclear, particularly concerning whether the proposed changes will indeed make the process more efficient or impose unforeseen difficulties.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

• Students: While the intended improvements might make processes somewhat smoother, students could initially face challenges adapting to changes in documentation requirements.

• Educational Institutions: SEVP-certified schools are involved in this paperwork and might experience either an increased administrative burden due to initial adaptations or reduced workload once improvements are integrated properly.

• Employers: Companies employing STEM OPT students are also stakeholders; they need clear guidelines to ensure compliance without unnecessary administrative costs.

In conclusion, while the premise of the notice is aimed at extending and potentially improving existing processes, it falls short in providing the necessary clarity and detail that would allow stakeholders to adequately prepare for what changes might come. More concrete information and transparency would benefit all parties involved in understanding and adapting to these regulatory processes.