Proposed Information Collection Activity; ORR Data Collection for the Annual Survey of Refugees (OMB #0907-0033)

AGENCY:

Office of Refugee Resettlement; Administration for Children and Families; HHS.

ACTION:

Request for public comment.

SUMMARY:

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeks an update to the existing data collection for the Annual Survey of Refugees. The Annual Survey of Refugees is a yearly sample survey of refugee households entering the U.S. in the previous five fiscal years. The requested update is based upon results of a multi-year effort in instrument redesign and field testing. ACF estimates the proposed changes will increase response burden from 30 to 45 minutes per respondent.

DATES:

Comments due within 60 days of publication. In compliance with the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and Families is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described above.

ADDRESSES:

Copies of the proposed collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded by emailing OPREinfocollection@acf.hhs.gov. Alternatively, copies can also be obtained by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, 330 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20201, Attn: OPRE Reports Clearance Officer. All requests, emailed or written should be identified by the title of the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description: Data from the Annual Survey of Refugees are used to meet the Office of Refugee Resettlement's Congressional reporting requirements, as set forth in the Refugee Act of 1980 (Section 413(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act). The Office of Refugee Resettlement makes survey findings available to the general public and uses findings for the purposes of program planning, policy-making, and budgeting.

The requested update reflects changes to the survey instrument to: Enhance ORR's understanding of refugees' resettlement experiences; streamline the collection of household-level information; and improve data reliability and validity.

Respondents: The Annual Survey of Refugees secures a nationally representative sample of refugee households arriving in the United States in the previous five fiscal years.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,600

Comments: The Department specifically requests comments on (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted within 60 days of this publication.

Authority: Sec. 413. [8 U.S.C. 1523]