U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has opened a 30-day public commentary period on possible revisions to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The commentary period ends July 5, 2019.
The act requires both a 60-day and 30-day commentary period for the I-9, whose current version expires Aug. 31, 2019. A 60-day period closed on April 30, during which time 21 comments were received.
According to the agency’s announcement in today’s Federal Register, the commentary period is for “Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection.” In other words, USCIS intends to reissue and re-date the current form but is open to reviewing comments and suggestions for possible improvements.
Today’s announcement provides the following instructions for public comments:
You may access the information collection instrument with instructions, or additional information by visiting the Federal eRulemaking Portal site at: http://www.regulations.gov and enter USCIS-2006-0068 in the search box. Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies should address one or more of the following four points:
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
(2) 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;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(4) 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.