Alien Biometric Data

[Federal Register: May 29, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 104)]
[Notices]
[Page 30958-30959]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29my08-93]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[DHS-2008-0039]


Collection of Alien Biometric Data Upon Exit From the United
States at Air and Sea Ports of Departure; United States Visitor and
Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program

AGENCY: National Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of
Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice of Hearing.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States
Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) Program,
is issuing this notice to advise the public of a public hearing on June
13, 2008, in Arlington, Virginia, on ``Collection of Alien Biometric
Data upon Exit from the United States at Air and Sea Ports of
Departure,'' docket DHS-2008-0039.

DATES: The hearing will be held on Friday, June 13, 2008, from 9:30
a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time.

ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City
at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, 2799 Jefferson Davis
Highway, Arlington, Virginia, 22202.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Helen V. deThomas, US-VISIT,
Department of Homeland Security; 1616 North Fort Myer Drive, 18th
Floor, Arlington, Virginia, 22209 or by telephone at (202) 298-5200
(not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 24, 2008, The Department of
Homeland Security (DHS), United States Visitor and Immigrant Status
Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) Program, published a notice of proposed
rulemaking ``Collection of Alien Biometric Data upon Exit from the
United States at Air and Sea Ports of Departure,'' at 73 FR 22065. The
sixty-day public comment period for this proposed rule concludes on
June 23, 2008. DHS has received a number of requests to extend the
sixty-day comment period. Because the Department is operating under a
statutory deadline for implementation of a US-VISIT air exit system,
however, DHS will not be able to extend the comment period for this
rulemaking action. In lieu of extending the comment period, DHS will
hold a public hearing on this proposed rule at 9:30 a.m. on June 13,
2008, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Ronald Reagan Washington
National Airport, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia,
22202. US-VISIT will accept written and oral comments on the proposed
rule during this meeting. All comments received during this public
meeting will be included in the public docket (DHS-2008-0039) for this
rulemaking action.
Although DHS will accept comments on any aspect of this proposed
rule, the most helpful comments would specifically address discrete
elements of the proposed rule, including on-point operational and
financial data and the potential economic and business impacts of the
performance standards proposed under this rule, including the
alternatives discussed in this proposed rule and the underlying
assumptions and analyses related to those alternatives. The most useful
comments would include information on how DHS could accomplish the
requirements of the proposed rule and any alternatives that would
accomplish the result embodied in the proposed rule that would reduce
the burden on travelers and the travel industry without sacrificing
accuracy in the collection of biometric information. DHS also is
interested in public comment on the regulatory impact assessment
supporting this proposed rule, including:
The cost models of each alternative, including all
assumptions that underlie the labor costs;
Any cost-sharing alternatives to the proposals presented
between the carriers and the Government;
The assumptions and numbers used to develop the carrier
and Government alternatives; and
The potential for cost savings for alternatives not
included as options in the proposed rule.
Anyone wishing to speak and/or make a presentation during the
public meeting must contact Helen V. deThomas, US-VISIT, Department of
Homeland Security, by telephone at (202) 298-5200 (not a toll-free
number), by facsimile at (202) 298-5201, or by e-mail at
helen.dethomas@dhs.gov, not later than June 10, 2008, three business
days prior to the hearing date and provide three copies of any written
statement or presentation materials so that they may be placed on the
agenda. US-VISIT reserves the right to limit the number of presenters
and the time allowed for presentations to accommodate numerous
presenters with different points of view.
Additionally, if you need accommodations because of a disability or
require additional information, please

[[Page 30959]]

contact Helen V. deThomas at the above telephone number or e-mail
address.

Shonnie Lyon,
Acting Deputy Director, US-VISIT.
[FR Doc. E8-12021 Filed 5-28-08; 8:45 am]

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