Rules and Regulations. Request for public comments

Agency: Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Action: Request for public comments
Citation: FR Doc. 2026-06805 · Office of Management and Budget #: 0970-0550

Summary

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is requesting a 3-year extension with revisions of the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) Program Application and Withdrawal of URM Program Application or Declination of URM Program Placement Forms (Office of Management and Budget #0970-0550, expiration July 31, 2026). Revisions were made to reduce burden and streamline information collection.

Dates

Comments due June 8, 2026.

Supplementary Information

Description: The URM Program Application is completed on behalf of unaccompanied minors in the U.S. who are applying for entry into the URM Program. The application includes biographical data and information on the child's needs to support placement efforts. The Withdrawal of URM Program Application or Declination of URM Program Placement Forms are completed when a child is no longer interested in entering the URM Program or is not interested in entering the placement he/she was offered. These forms will be translated into Spanish, French, and other languages as appropriate. ACF acknowledges that English is the official language and authoritative version of all federal information and will note this on the translated material. Proposed revisions include reducing the number of open-ended text box questions by 67 percent, changing the format of other questions to allow for quicker responses, cutting unnecessary questions, and revising instructions for enhanced clarity. Respondents: Case managers, attorneys, or other representatives working with unaccompanied minors who may be eligible for the URM Program. Annual Burden Estimates: Proposed revisions to the URM Program application are expected to reduce the average burden hours per respondent by 33 percent. The estimated total number of respondents over the next 3 years is expected to be fewer than previously estimated. Overall, estimated total annual burden hours are reduced by 48 percent. Instrument Total number of respondents Annual number of responses per respondent Average burden hours per response Annual burden hours URM Program Application 350 1 1.00 350 Withdrawal of Application or Declination of Placement Forms 40 1 0.20 8 Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours 358 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: 8 U.S.C. 1522(d). Mary C. Jones, ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer. [FR Doc. 2026-06805 Filed 4-8-26; 8:45 am]