Search Results for agency_names:"Homeland Security Department"

The Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is seeking public feedback on its proposal to extend the use of an information collection tool called Form I-134A. This form is used to assess if U.S.-based individuals can financially support certain immigrants during their temporary stay in the U.S., as part of several programs, including Uniting for Ukraine and Family Reunification Parole processes. The public can submit comments for 60 days to evaluate the necessity and efficiency of the information collection, which affects over a million respondents annually. The USCIS is also collecting biometric data to verify identities and conduct background checks as part of this process.

The Coast Guard, part of the Department of Homeland Security, has proposed a change to the operating schedule for two bridges over the Savannah River: the Houlihan Bridge in Georgia and the Seaboard System Railroad Bridge near Hardeeville, South Carolina. This change would require a 24-hour advance notice for bridge openings, up from the current three hours, due to fewer opening requests and to allow maintenance crews to be on-site. The proposed rule aims to improve response times for maintenance while still accommodating vessels that do not require the bridges to open. Public comments on the proposal are invited until April 12, 2021.

The Coast Guard is making changes to a temporary safety zone in West Passage, Narragansett Bay, Jamestown, RI. These changes include extending the safety zone's effective period to January 31, 2025, and updating the name of the cable laying vessel involved in operations. This safety zone ensures the safety of personnel and vessels from hazards associated with cable laying. Unauthorized entry into the safety zone is prohibited during active cable operations unless specifically allowed by the Captain of the Port, Sector Southeastern New England.

The Coast Guard has proposed a new rule to improve the schedule for operating the Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge over the Okeechobee Waterway in Stuart, FL. The proposed changes aim to make the bridge operation more predictable and reliable due to increased railway activity. The new schedule would ensure the bridge remains open for navigation except when allowing trains to pass, with fixed 10-minute opening periods each hour. The proposal seeks public comments, highlighting the importance of public participation in shaping the final decision.

The Coast Guard established a temporary safety zone on the waters surrounding downtown Tampa, Florida, during the Super Bowl LV celebrations. This safety zone, effective from January 29 to February 7, 2021, is designed to protect the public and event staff from potential hazards caused by vessel traffic. Vessels must transit the area at a steady speed and cannot slow, stop, or anchor without special permission or in case of emergencies. The regulation aims to ensure safety without significantly impacting local vessel operations.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is asking the public for comments on reinstating an information collection that has expired. This collection is connected to the State Administrative Plan for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which is a guide on administering the HMGP funds. FEMA needs this plan to be approved by its regional administrator before states, territories, or tribal governments can receive funds. This notice aims to make sure the public knows FEMA will submit this information to the Office of Management and Budget for approval, according to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor have issued a rule to expand the discretionary review authority of the Secretary of Labor to include certain H-2B temporary labor certification cases. This rule allows the Secretary to review cases that are pending before or have been decided by the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA). The rule is part of a broader effort to ensure that internal processes are properly supervised by the Secretary and is expected to be used mainly for cases of notable importance. Public comments are encouraged, but significant adverse comments could halt the rule's implementation.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), part of the Department of Homeland Security, is seeking public comments on its information collection process for the Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. The comment period is open until February 16, 2021, and is intended to get feedback on the necessity, accuracy, and impact of the information collection. The USCIS will submit the collection request for an extension, without changes, to the Office of Management and Budget for approval. Interested individuals can submit their comments online, considering the estimated time and cost the collection imposes on respondents.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is inviting public comments on a proposal to continue collecting information about hotels and motels meeting fire safety standards, as required by the Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990. This data is used to maintain a National Master List of accommodations safe from fire, which federal employees are encouraged to use for official travel. People can submit their comments by April 28, 2025, to help evaluate the necessity and utility of this information collection. The previous invitation for public comments, published in December 2024, received no responses.

The Coast Guard is proposing updates to the special regulations for various marine events like parades and regattas in the Ohio Valley area. These changes will include adding new events, revising details of current events, and removing ones that no longer happen. The proposal aims to make the rules more efficient by minimizing administrative costs and keep the public informed. The Coast Guard is inviting the public to provide comments by March 25, 2021, to help shape this rulemaking process.