Search Results for keywords:"Department of Homeland Security"

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), part of the Department of Homeland Security, has announced a plan to collect information as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. They are seeking public comments on a new information collection named the Pre-Screening Interview Questionnaire Form, which is part of the selection process for law enforcement candidates. The aim is to assess candidate suitability prior to a mandatory polygraph test, with feedback requested to improve the collection process. The CBP estimates that 20,000 individuals will respond to this form annually, leading to a total of 200,000 responses and requiring roughly 6,667 hours of collective effort from respondents each year.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with the Secretary of State's agreement, has listed 81 countries whose nationals can participate in the H-2A visa program and 80 countries for the H-2B visa program for the coming year. Overstay rates, cooperation with the U.S. on immigration matters, and compliance with visa rules are key factors for these designations. Mongolia, Samoa, and Tonga have been removed from eligibility due to non-compliance issues, while the Philippines has been added to the H-2B list to address labor shortages for U.S. military projects in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. These designations are effective from January 19, 2021, to January 18, 2022.

The Department of Homeland Security has announced the establishment of the FEMA Review Council. This council will advise the President on FEMA's ability to manage disasters effectively and suggest improvements to better serve the national interest. Concerns have arisen over FEMA's efficacy and potential political bias, prompting a need for a thorough review. The council will have up to 20 members appointed by the President, including the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Defense, and will feature experts from both the public and private sectors in disaster management.

The Coast Guard, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is considering implementing Safety Management Systems (SMS) to enhance safety and reduce accidents on U.S.-flagged passenger vessels. They're seeking public feedback on whether such systems are feasible and beneficial, focusing on aspects like vessel size, design, and operation. The Coast Guard is also interested in how implementing SMSs could influence the sharing of safety information and if it might lead to the removal of outdated regulations. Public comments are encouraged to help shape potential new rules, and feedback is requested by April 15, 2021.

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 Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through its U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is seeking public comments on its information collection system known as the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This system collects data on nonimmigrant students and their SEVP-certified schools through forms I-17 and I-20. DHS is planning to add a new data field for the city of birth to help distinguish between applicants. Public comments are encouraged by April 12, 2021, and can be submitted online through regulations.gov using Docket ID ICEB-2021-0001.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), part of the Department of Homeland Security, has issued a notice about an extension request for its Information Collection Request titled TSA infoBoards, under the Paperwork Reduction Act. TSA infoBoards serve as a voluntary information-sharing platform for stakeholders in the transportation security community, allowing users to access mission-critical information. The TSA seeks public comments on the necessity, accuracy, and impact of this information collection and aims to ensure it meets practical utility and minimizes burdens on users. Comments are welcomed until January 6, 2025, and the extension seeks to continue using forms TSA 1427 and TSA 1430 for registration and information collection purposes.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is inviting public comments on a proposed extension of an existing information collection regarding the Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver of Inadmissibility (Form I-601A). This notice allows an additional 30 days for comments concerning the necessity and efficiency of this information collection, which aids USCIS in determining an applicant’s eligibility for the waiver. Public feedback is requested on matters such as the collection's estimated burden and any potential improvements, and comments must be submitted by March 29, 2021, via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. The submission of Form I-601A is crucial for individuals seeking to qualify for the provisional waiver process concerning unlawful presence inadmissibility, affecting about 63,000 respondents with a total estimated annual public burden of 168,210 hours and a cost burden of $3,212,390.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a 30-day period for public comments regarding an information collection related to the Citizenship and Integration Direct Services Grant Program. This request, reviewed under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, aims to extend the current information collection without changes. The feedback will help evaluate aspects like the necessity, accuracy, and impact of the collection process. Public comments can be submitted online, and USCIS seeks input on how to improve the process while minimizing the burden on respondents.

The Department of Homeland Security, through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is seeking public comments on extending a collection of information related to cargo documentation. This includes various forms and electronic submissions concerning cargo manifest and declarations, importer security filings, and more, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The agency encourages comments by February 10, 2021, focusing on the necessity, accuracy, and methods to ease the burden of these requirements. The information will aid CBP in managing imports and exports securely and efficiently.