[Federal Register: January 16, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 10)]
[Notices]               
[Page 3616-3617]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16ja01-83]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service

[INS No. 2093-00]

 
Establishing an Immigration and Naturalization Service Data 
Management Improvement Act Task Force

AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice.

ACTION: Notice establishing a Task Force.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, and Public Law 106-215, the Attorney General is 
establishing an Immigration and Naturalization Service Data Management 
Improvement Act Task Force. This notice advises Federal, State, and 
local agencies, and private sector representatives that the Immigration 
and Naturalization Service (Service) is soliciting members from 
interested groups, associations, or individuals who may wish to serve 
on the Task Force.

Purpose of Task Force

    The Task Force will evaluate and make recommendations on:
    (1) How the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretaries 
of State, Treasury, and Commerce can efficiently and effectively 
implement an integrated entry and exit data system;
    (2) How the United States can improve the flow of traffic at 
airports, seaports, and land border ports-of-entry through--
    (a) Enhancing systems for data collection and data sharing, 
including the integrated entry and exit data system, by better use of 
technology, resources, and personnel;
    (b) Increasing cooperation between the public and private sectors;
    (c) Increasing cooperation among Federal agencies and among Federal 
and State agencies; and
    (d) Modifying information technology systems while taking into 
account the different data systems, infrastructure, and processing 
procedures at airports, seaports, and land border ports-of-entry; and
    (3) The cost of implementing each of the Task Force's 
recommendations.
    Further, no later than December 31, 2002 and no later than December 
31 of each subsequent year the Task Force is in existence, the Attorney 
General shall submit a report to Congress containing the findings, 
conclusions, and recommendations of the Task Force.

Composition of Task Force

    The Task Force shall be composed of 17 members, including the 
Attorney General, private sector representatives of affected industries 
and groups, and representatives from Federal, State, and local 
agencies, who have an interest in: immigration and naturalization; 
travel and tourism; transportation; trade; law enforcement; national 
security; or the environment. Participation on the Task Force will not 
be remunerated, however, travel and associated expenses may be 
reimbursed or borne by the Government.

[[Page 3617]]

Qualification of Task Force members

    Groups, associations, or individuals who wish to be considered for 
inclusion on this Task Force should have a background that reflects a 
good working knowledge of entry and exit procedures and business 
practices. Ideally, this knowledge should include all of the 
environments where inspections take place (i.e., airports, northern and 
southern land borders ports, and seaports).
    Additionally, it would be helpful for interested groups, 
associations, or individuals to understand modern data collection and 
matching processes in an automated environment and how the requirements 
of Public Law 106-215 can be best met given the business practices of 
ports-of-entry, and the competing goals of enforcing the Immigration 
and Nationality Act and facilitating the movement of travelers. For 
more information concerning the Task Force, see Public Law 106-215 on 
the Service's website at http://www.ins.usdoj.gov.
    In considering what groups, associations, or individuals should 
serve on the Task Force, the Service will make every effort to balance 
both geographical interests to ensure the unique characteristics of 
each type of port-of-entry are considered and the needs of various 
industries that depend on the efficient operation of ports-of-entry.

Federal Advisory Committee Act

    The Task Force will function solely as an advisory body in 
compliance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(FACA). Its charter will be filed in accordance with the provisions of 
that FACA.

Solicitation of Public Opinion Regarding Task Force Membership

    The Department of Justice is seeking input from groups, 
associations or individuals to determine the optimal Task Force 
composition. Please send suggestions and a brief background or 
justification to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Office of 
Inspections, 425 I Street, NW, Room 4064, Washington, DC 20536, Attn: 
Jennifer Sava. Please include a daytime phone number where a point of 
contact can be reached as well as an e-mail address, if available. 
Please submit information by February 16, 2001.
    Once a group, association, or individual has been selected to serve 
on the Task Force, the Service will notify the point of contact and 
will provide further instruction.

Who Can Be Contacted If There Are Questions Concerning This Task 
Force?

    For questions concerning this Task Force, please contact Jennifer 
Sava, Office of Inspections, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 
425 I Street, NW, Room 4064, Washington, DC 20536; telephone (202) 514-
3019.

    Dated: January 3, 2001.
Mary Ann Wyrsch,
Acting Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service.
[FR Doc. 01-1202 Filed 1-12-01; 8:45 am]
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