Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comments Requested; Extension of a Previously Approved Collection; Request for New Recognition, Renewal of Recognition, Extension of Recognition of a Non-Profit Religious, Charitable, Social Service, or Similar Organization (Form EOIR-31)

Primary source

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Published

March 14, 2025

Issuing agencies

Justice Department

Abstract

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), Department of Justice (DOJ), will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 49 (Friday, March 14, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 49 (Friday, March 14, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12176-12178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-04127]

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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

[OMB Number 1125-0012]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comments Requested; Extension of a Previously Approved Collection;
Request for New Recognition, Renewal of Recognition, Extension of
Recognition of a Non-Profit Religious, Charitable, Social Service, or
Similar Organization (Form EOIR-31)

AGENCY: Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of Justice.

ACTION: 60-Day notice.

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SUMMARY: The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), Department
of Justice (DOJ), will be submitting the following information
collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until
May 13, 2025.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have additional comments
especially on the estimated public burden or associated response time,
suggestions, or need a copy of the

[[Page 12177]]

proposed information collection instrument with instructions or
additional information, please contact Laeticia Mukala-Nirere, Attorney
Advisor, Office of the General Counsel, Executive Office for
Immigration Review, 5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2600, Falls Church, VA
22041, telephone: (703) 305-0470, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#83c6cccad1add3d1c2adc0eceeeee6edf7f0c3f6f0e7ece9ade4ecf5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="30757f79621e6062711e735f5d5d555e4443704543545f5a1e575f46">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cf84aeada6a1aee183e182baa4aea3aee281a6bdaabdaa8fbabcaba0a5e1a8a0b9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="86cde7e4efe8e7a8caa8cbf3ede7eae7abc8eff4e3f4e3c6f3f5e2e9eca8e1e9f0">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Written comments and suggestions from the
public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of
information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of
the following four points:

--Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the functions of EOIR, including whether
the information will have practical utility;
--Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
--Evaluate whether and if so how the quality, utility, and clarity of
the information to be collected can be enhanced; and
--Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses.

Abstract: Regulations prescribe who may represent individuals in
immigration proceedings. The Assistant Director for Policy (or the
Assistant Director for Policy's delegate), in the exercise of
discretion, may accord recognition to organizations to practice before
EOIR and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). See 8 CFR 1292.11,
1292.13(a). To be eligible for initial recognition, an organization
must: (1) establish that it is a non-profit religious, charitable,
social service, or similar organization; (2) demonstrate that it
provides immigration legal services primarily to low-income and
indigent clients within the United States; (3) demonstrate the
organization's currently valid federal tax-exempt status or pending
application for federal tax-exempt status; (4) apply simultaneously to
have at least one employee or volunteer approved as an Accredited
Representative (using Form EOIR-31A); (5) demonstrate access to
adequate knowledge, information, and experience in immigration law and
procedure; and (6) designate at least one authorized officer to act on
the organization's behalf. 8 CFR 1292.11(a), (d). The organization
applies for recognition by submitting a Form EOIR-31 to the Assistant
Director for Policy (or the Assistant Director for Policy's delegate)
along with proof that they have served a copy of Form EOIR-31 on the
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices in the
jurisdictions where the organization offers or intends to offer
immigration legal services. See 8 CFR 1292.13(a).

Overview of This Information Collection

1. Type of Information Collection: Renewal with change of a
currently approved collection. EOIR has made non-substantive changes to
the current Form EOIR-31. These changes include revisions to the form's
Privacy Act notice; addition of the expiration date for OMB approval on
the form; updates to the address to which applications can be
submitted; and addition of an alternative method by which applications
can be submitted.
2. The Title of the Form/Collection: Request for New Recognition,
Renewal of Recognition, Extension of Recognition of a Non-profit
Religious, Charitable, Social Service, or Similar Organization.
3. The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of
the Department sponsoring the collection: the form number is EOIR-31,
and the sponsoring component is Executive Office for Immigration
Review, United States Department of Justice.
4. Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as
well as a brief abstract: Primary: Non-profit organizations seeking
initial recognition, renewal of recognition, or extension of
recognition to be recognized as legal service providers by the Office
of Legal Access Programs of the Executive Office for Immigration Review
(EOIR). Other: None. Abstract: This information collection will allow
an organization to request and renew recognition of the organization to
appear before EOIR and/or the Department of Homeland Security, or to
extend recognition from a designated office to its other locations.
This information collection is necessary to determine whether an
organization meets the eligibility requirements for recognition
pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1103, 1229a, 1362 and 8 CFR 1292.11-19. Requests
can be made using a fillable .pdf application or electronic submission.
5. An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of
time estimated for an average respondent to respond: It is estimated
that 210 respondents will complete the form annually for initial
recognition with an average of 2 hours per response. It is estimated
that 90 respondents will complete the form annually for renewal of
recognition with an average of 7 hours per response. It is estimated
that 20 respondents will complete the form annually for standalone
extension office requests with an average of 2 hours per response.
6. An estimate of the total annual burden (in hours) associated
with the collection: The estimated annual burden hours associated with
this collection is 1,055 hours.
7. An estimate of the total annual cost burden associated with the
collection, if applicable:

Total Burden Hours--Initial Recognition
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Time per
Activity Number of Frequency Total annual response Total annual
respondents (annually) responses (hours) burden (hours)
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Title........................... 210 1 210 2 420
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Unduplicated Totals......... .............. .............. .............. .............. ..............
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[[Page 12178]]

Total Burden Hours--Renewal of Recognition
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Time per
Activity Number of Frequency Total annual response Total annual
respondents (annually) responses (hours) burden (hours)
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Title........................... 90 1 90 7 630
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Unduplicated Totals......... .............. .............. .............. .............. ..............
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Total Burden Hours--Standalone Extension Office Requests
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Time per
Activity Number of Frequency Total annual response Total annual
respondents (annually) responses (hours) burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title........................... 20 1 20 2 40
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Unduplicated Totals......... .............. .............. .............. .............. ..............
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If additional information is required contact: Darwin Arceo,
Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice,
Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Two
Constitution Square, 145 N Street NE, 4W-218, Washington, DC.

Dated: March 11, 2025.
Darwin Arceo,
Department Clearance Officer for PRA, U.S. Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 2025-04127 Filed 3-13-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-30-P

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