Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 4

31082 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No.

107 / Tuesday, June 5, 2007 / Notices

before any court, adjudicative, or National Archives and Records CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
administrative body when (1) DHS; or Administration (NARA): The major part of this system is
(2) Any employee of DHS in his/her Records that are stored in an exempted from this requirement
official capacity; or (3) Any employee of individual’s file will be purged pursuant to U.S.C. 552a(j)(2) and (k)(2).
DHS in his/her individual capacity, according to the retention and A determination as to the granting or
where DOJ or DHS has agreed to disposition guidelines that relate to the denial of a request shall be made at the
represent the employee; or (4) The individual’s file in DHS/US–VISIT–001, time a request is received. An
United States or any agency thereof is a IDENT. individual requesting amendment of
party to the litigation or proceeding, or Testing and training data will be records maintained in this system
has an interest in such litigation or purged when the data is no longer should direct his or her request to the
proceeding. required (GRS 20). Electronic records for System Manager noted above. The
I. To appropriate agencies, entities, which the statute of limitations has request should state clearly what
and persons when (1) it is suspected or expired for all criminal violations or information is being contested, the
confirmed that the security or that are older than 75 years will be reasons for contesting it, and the
confidentiality of information in the purged. Fingerprint cards, created for proposed amendment to the
system of records has been the purpose of entering records in the information.
compromised; (2) DHS has determined database, will be destroyed after data
that as a result of the suspected or RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
entry. Work Measurement Reports and
confirmed compromise there is a risk of Statistical Reports will be maintained Basic information contained in this
harm to economic or property interests, within the guidelines set forth in NCI– system is supplied by individuals
identity theft or fraud, or ham to the 95–78–5/2 and NCI–85–78–1/2 covered by this system, and from
security or integrity of this system or respectively. Federal, State, local, tribal, or foreign
other systems or programs (whether governments; private citizens; and
maintained by DHS or another agency or SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS: public and private organizations.
entity) that rely upon the compromised System Manager, IDENT Program
EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM:
information; and (3) the disclosure is Management Office, US–VISIT Program,
made to such agencies, entities, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, The Secretary of Homeland Security
persons when reasonably necessary to Washington, DC 20528, USA. has exempted this system from 5 U.S.C.
assist in connection with DHS’s efforts 552a(c)(3) and (4); (d); (e)(1), (e)(2),
to respond to the suspected or NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE: (e)(3), (e)(4)(G), (e)(4)(H), (e)(5) and
confirmed compromise and prevent, To determine whether this system (e)(8); (f)(2) through (5); and (g) pursuant
minimize, or remedy such harm. contains records relating to you, write to to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2). In addition, the
the US–VISIT Privacy Officer, US–VISIT Secretary of Homeland Security has
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, Program, U.S. Department of Homeland exempted portions of this system from
RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (d), (e)(1), (e)(4)(G),
Security, 245 Murray Lane, SW.,
DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
Washington, DC 20528, USA. and (e)(4)(H) pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
STORAGE: 552a(k)(2). These exemptions apply
Information can be stored in case file RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES: only to the extent that records in the
folders, cabinets, safes, or a variety of The major part of this system is system are subject to exemption
electronic or computer databases and exempted from this requirement pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2) and
storage media. pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2) and (k)(2).
(k)(2). A determination as to the Dated: May 25, 2007.
RETRIEVABILITY:
granting or denial of access shall be
Records may be retrieved by Hugo Teufel III,
made at the time a request is received.
biometrics or select personal identifiers, Requests for access to records in this Chief Privacy Officer.
including but not limited to names, system must be in writing, and should [FR Doc. 07–2781 Filed 5–31–07; 1:24 pm]
identification numbers, date of birth, be addressed to the US–VISIT Privacy BILLING CODE 4410–10–M
nationality, document number, and Officer at the address in the Notification
address. procedure section above. Such request
may be submitted either by mail or in DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SAFEGUARDS:
person. The envelope and letter shall be SECURITY
The system is protected through
multi-layer security mechanisms. The clearly marked ‘‘Privacy Officer— Office of the Secretary
protective strategies are physical, Access/Redress Request.’’ To identify a
record, the record subject should [Docket No. DHS–2007–0039]
technical, administrative, and
environmental in nature, and provide provide his or her full name, date and
place of birth; if appropriate, the date Privacy Act; Background Check
access to control to sensitive data, Services System of Records
physical access control to DHS facilities, and place of entry into or departure
confidentiality of communications, from the United States; verification of AGENCY: Privacy Office, Office of the
authentication of sending parties, and identity by submitting a copy of Secretary, Department of Homeland
personnel screening to ensure that all fingerprints if appropriate (in Security.
personnel with access to data are accordance with 8 CFR 103.21(b) and/or ACTION: Notice of Updated Privacy Act
screened through background pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1746, make a system of records notice.
investigations commensurate with the dated statement under penalty of
level of access required to perform their perjury as a substitute for notarization), SUMMARY: Pursuant to Updated Privacy
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES

duties. and any other identifying information Act of 1974, the Department of
that may be of assistance in locating the Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship
RETENTION AND DISPOSAL: record. The requestor shall also provide and Immigration Services, is updating
The following proposal for retention a return address for transmitting the the Background Check Service system of
and disposal is pending approval with records to be released. records to include a new category of

VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:28 Jun 04, 2007 Jkt 211001 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\05JNN1.SGM 05JNN1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 107 / Tuesday, June 5, 2007 / Notices 31083

individuals, which is other individuals that permits DHS to be in the best Applicants and other individuals
over the age of 18 residing in a position to respond in a timely and submit information at the time the
prospective adoptive parent’s household effective manner in the event of a data fingerprints are taken in order to
pursuant to 8 CFR 204.3 (herein referred breach. conduct the FBI fingerprint check and
to as ‘‘other individuals’’). Additionally, USCIS conducts four different the US–VISIT IDENT fingerprint check.
DHS is adding a new routine use background checks on applicants/ Fingerprints are taken electronically at
consistent with Office of Management petitioners applying for USCIS benefits: USCIS Application Support Centers
and Budget Memorandum M–07–16, (1) A Federal Bureau of Investigation (ASC) or taken from hard copy
Attachment 2 that permits DHS to be in (FBI) fingerprint check, (2) a FBI name fingerprint cards (FD–258) that are
the best position to respond in a timely check, (3) a Customs and Border submitted for those applicants and other
and effective manner in the event of a Protection (CBP) Treasury Enforcement individuals who are unable to go to an
data breach. This republished system of Communication System/Interagency ASC. The fingerprints are currently
records notice will replace the Border Inspection System (TECS/IBIS) stored in the Benefit Biometric Support
previously published system of records name check, and (4) US–VISIT IDENT System (BBSS), which interfaces
notice for the Background Check fingerprint check. BCS will maintain the directly with FBI’s Integrated
System, Federal Register on December requests and results of all background Automated Fingerprint Identification
4, 2006 (71 FR 070413). check activity for USCIC. System (IAFIS). The FBI provides
DATES: The established system of As a centralized repository containing responses to the FBI fingerprint check
records will be effective July 5, 2007. all background check activity, BCS electronically and responses are stored
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, provides the status and results of in BCS. US–VISIT IDENT fingerprint
identified by Docket Number DHS– background checks required for check provides responses to BCS.
2007–0039 by one of the following completion of immigration eligibility All information is currently collected
methods: petitions and application as part of the established USCIS
• Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: determinations from one web-based application/petition process and is
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the system to geographically dispersed field required to verify the applicant/
instructions for submitting comments. offices. This system supports USCIS’s petitioner’s eligibility for the benefit
• Fax: 1–866–466–5370. initiatives to reduce immigration being sought. The FBI fingerprint check
• Mail: Hugo Teufel III, Chief Privacy benefit/petition case backlog and consists of a search of the FBI’s Criminal
Officer, Privacy Office, Department of provide significant efficiencies in Master File via IAFIS. This search will
Homeland Security, Washington, DC vetting and resolving the background identify applicants/petitioners and other
20528. checks that are required for USCIS individuals who have an arrest record.
benefits. Prior to BCS, information The FBI Name Check consists of a
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
relating to the US–VISIT IDENT search of the FBI’s Universal Index that
system related questions please contact:
fingerprint checks, FBI fingerprint includes administrative, applicant,
Greg Collett, Branch Chief of
checks and the FBI name checks were criminal, personnel, and other files
Application Support for Office of Field
stored in the FD–258 system and FBI compiled for law enforcement purposes.
Operations, U.S. Citizenship and
Query system respectively. Information The TECS/IBIS Name Check consists of
Immigration Services, Department of
relating to the TECS/IBIS name checks a search of a multi-agency database
Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts
was not stored in any system. containing information from 26 different
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20520.
The information maintained in BCS is agencies. The information in TECS/IBIS
For privacy issues please contract: Hugo includes records of known and
Teufel III, Chief Privacy Officer, Privacy initially collected and maintained in
one of the following USCIS case suspected terrorists, sex offenders, and
Office, U.S. Department of Homeland other individuals that may be of interest
Security, Washington, DC 20528. management systems and then it is
transferred to BCS: to the law enforcement community.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
• Computer-Linked Application USCIS will use TECS/IBIS to access
Department of Homeland Security Information Management System National Crime Information Center
(DHS), U.S. Citizenship and (CLAIMS) 3, which is used to process (NCIC) records on wanted persons,
Immigration Services (USCIS) is applications including, but not limited criminal histories, and previous federal
congressionally tasked with processing to, an Adjustment of Status (Green Card) inspections. The information in US–
all immigration benefit applications and and Temporary Protective Status (TPS); VISIT IDENT links information on
petitions. In order to assist in this tasks, • CLAIMS 4, which is used to process individuals with their encounters,
USCIS established a system of records applications for Naturalization; biometrics, records, and other data
that consolidates all background check • Refugee Asylum Parole System elements.
requests and results on immigration (RAPS), which is used to process The information collected in BCS as
benefit applicants/petitioners. This Asylum applications; and part of the background check process
system of records is called the • Marriage Fraud Assurance System provides USCIS with information about
Background Check Service (BCS). At (MFAS), which is used for processing an applicant/petitioner and other
this time, USCIS is updating this system information relating to investigations of individuals that have national security
of records notice to add the following marriage fraud. or public safety implications or indicia
category of individuals to the The benefit applicant/petitioner and of fraud. Collecting this information and
Background Check System: Other other individuals do not have direct taking action to prevent potentially
individuals over the age of 18 residing interaction with BCS. undesirable and often dangerous people
in a prospective adoptive parent’s The above systems will send from staying in this country clearly
household pursuant to 8 CFR 204.3 necessary and relevant information to supports two primary missions of DHS:
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES

(herein referred to as ‘‘other BCS in order to generate a Name Check Preventing terrorist attacks within the
individuals’’). Additionally, USCIS is Request for both the FBI name check United States and reducing America’s
adding a new routine use consistent and TECS/IBIS name check. Both the vulnerability to terrorism, while
with Office of Management and Budget requests and results will be stored in facilitating the adjudication of lawful
Memorandum M–07–16, Attachment 2 BCS. benefit applications.

VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:28 Jun 04, 2007 Jkt 211001 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\05JNN1.SGM 05JNN1
31084 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 107 / Tuesday, June 5, 2007 / Notices

USCIS will use the results of these 1952, as amended, 101 [8 U.S.C. 1101] result of an FBI fingerprint check, an
background checks to make eligibility (a)(b). FBI name check report, information
determinations, which will result in the B. All individuals over the age of 18 from the CBP IBIS database, and
approval or denial of a benefit. If residing in a prospective adoptive information from US–VISIT IDENT
fraudulent or criminal activity is parent’s household whose principal or fingerprint check. The CBP IBIS
detected as a result of the background only residence is the home of the database includes data from TECS and
check, USCIS will forward the prospective adoptive parents pursuant NCIC databases.
information to appropriate law to 8 CFR 204.3 (herein referred to as
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
enforcement agencies including ‘‘other individuals’’).
Immigration and Customs Enforcement 8 U.S.C. 1103(a).
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
(ICE), FBI, CBP, and/or local law PURPOSE(S):
BCS maintains four general categories
enforcement. BCS is a single, centralized system
The Privacy Act embodies fair of records: Applicant/petitioner
identification information, other that records, reconciles, and stores
information principles in a statutory Background Check Requests and Results
framework governing the means by individual identification information,
Background Check Request information, of applicants and petitioners seeking
which the United States Government USCIS benefits. The following types of
collects, maintains, uses and and Background Check Result
information. background checks will be recorded by
disseminates personally identifiable BCS: FBI Name Checks, TECS/IBIS
A. Applicant/Petitioner information
information. The Privacy Act applies to Name Checks, and FBI Fingerprint
includes biographic information
information that is maintained in a Checks. The collection of information is
associated with each applicant/
‘‘system of records.’’ A ‘‘system of required to verify the applicant/
petitioner including, but not limited to:
records’’ is a group of any records under petitioner’s eligibility for USCIS
Name, date of birth, country of birth,
the control of an agency from which benefits. A background check of varying
address, and employment status. The
information is retrieved by the name of degree, determined by the benefit/
applicant/petitioner information also
the individual or by some identifying petition, is required for any individual
includes uniquely identifiable numbers,
number, symbol, or other identifying applying for USCIS benefits. In order to
including but not limited to: Alien
particular assigned to the individual. seek USCIS benefits, the applicant/
The Privacy Act requires each agency number, z-number, receipt number,
social security number, armed forces petitioner must provide USCIS with all
to publish in the Federal Register a requested information.
description denoting the type and identification number, etc. This
In the case of other individuals over
character of each system of records that information would be derived from
the age of 18 residing in a prospective
the agency maintains, and the routine newly created benefit applications in
adoptive parent’s household, USCIS
uses that are contained in each system USCIS Systems of Records or an update
collects their information to facilitate
to make agency recordkeeping practices to previously submitted benefit
the appropriate USVISIT IDENT, FBI
transparent, to notify individuals of the applications.
B. Information related to other Name Checks, TECS/IBIS Name Checks,
uses to which personally identifiable and FBI Fingerprint Checks. This check
individuals over the age of 18 residing
information is put, and to assist the is conducted in order to assess whether
in a prospective adoptive parent’s
individual in more easily finding such the child will be placed in a safe
household would be derived from
files within the agency. environment.
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(r), a newly created inter-country adoption
report on this system has been sent to applications pursuant to 8 CFR 204.3. ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE
Congress and to the Office of The information collected about these SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OF USERS AND
individuals includes: Full name and THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
Management and Budget.
date of birth. In addition to those disclosures
DHS–USCIS–002 C. Background Check Request generally permitted under 5 U.S.C.
information contains data necessary to 552a(b) of the Privacy Act, all or a
SYSTEM NAME:
perform a background check through the portion of the records or information
Background Check Service (BCS). US–VISIT IDENT fingerprint check, FBI contained in this system may be
Security Classification: Sensitive but fingerprint check, FI name check, and disclosed outside DHS as a routine use
Unclassified. CBP IBIS name check services. This data pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as
SYSTEM LOCATION: may include: Transaction control follows:
The primary BCS system is located at numbers associated with FBI fingerprint A. To the United States Department of
a Department of Homeland Security checks, receipt numbers, date/time of Justice (DOJ) (including United States
(DHS) approved data center in the submission, physical description of Attorney offices) or other Federal
Washington, DC, metropolitan area. subject, and a reason for the submission agency conducting litigation or in
Backups are maintained offsite. BCS of the application (i.e. USCIS form proceedings before any court,
will be accessible world-wide from all code). This category also covers logs adjudicative or administrative body,
USCIS field offices, service centers, and associated with the requests of when it is necessary to the litigation and
ASC that are part of the DHS Network. background checks, which may include: one of the following is a party to the
Requesting location and requesting litigation or has an interest in such
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE person. litigation: (a) DHS, or (b) any employee
SYSTEM: D. Background Check Result of DHS in his/her official capacity, or (c)
Categories of individuals covered by information encompasses data received any employee of DHS in his/her
this notice consist of: from FBI and DHS. This data may individual capacity where DOJ or DHS
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES

A. All individuals who are applying include: Identifying transactional has agreed to represent said employee,
for benefits and or who are petitioning information (i.e. transaction control or (d) the United States or any agency
on behalf of individuals applying/ number), biographical information, a thereof;
petitioning for benefits pursuant to the subject’s FBI information sheet B. To another Federal agency
Immigration and Nationality Act of (informally known as a RAP Sheet) as a (including the Merit Systems Protection

VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:28 Jun 04, 2007 Jkt 211001 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\05JNN1.SGM 05JNN1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 107 / Tuesday, June 5, 2007 / Notices 31085

Board and the Equal Employment that as a result of the suspected or 75-year retention rate is based on the
Opportunity Commission), or to a court, confirmed compromise there is a risk of length of time USCIS may interact with
or a party in litigation before a court or harm to economic or property interests, a customer. For example, background
in an administrative proceeding being identity theft or fraud, or harm to the checks are conducted on individuals/
conducted by a Federal agency, when security or integrity of this system or petitioners from the age of 14 and up.
the Government is a party to the judicial other systems or programs (whether Retaining the data for this period of time
or administrative proceeding. maintained by DHS or another agency or also will enable USCIS to fight identify
C. To an agency, organization, or entity) that rely upon the compromised fraud and misappropriated benefits.
individual for the purpose of performing information; and (3) the disclosure is
audit or oversight operations as made to such agencies, entities, and SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:
authorized by law. persons when reasonably necessary to
D. To a Congressional office, for the assist in connection with DHS’s efforts Greg Collett, Branch Chief of
record of an individual in response to to respond to the suspected or Application Support for Office of Field
an inquiry from that Congressional confirmed compromise and prevent, Operations, U.S. Citizenship and
office made at the request of the minimize, or remedy such harm. Immigration Services, Department of
individual to whom the record pertains. Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts
E. To the National Archives and POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING,
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20529.
Records Administration or other Federal RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND
government agencies pursuant to DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
records management inspections being STORAGE:
conducted under the authority of 44 All individuals applying for
Records in the system will be stored
U.S.C. 2904 and 2906. immigration benefits are presented on
in a central computer database.
F. To contractors, grantees, experts, the USCIS form, a Privacy Act
consultants, and others performing or RETRIEVABILITY: Statements and a Signature and
working on a contract, service, grant, A combination of the following BCS Authorization for Release of personally
cooperative agreement, or other data elements may be used to initiate a identifiable information. All forms must
assignment for the Federal Government, query in order to retrieve data from the be signed by the individual. These two
when necessary to accomplish a DHS BCS User Interface. These data elements notices supply individuals with
mission function related to this system include, an individual’s alien file information regarding uses of the data.
of records, in compliance with the number, name and date of birth; and
Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. receipt number. RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
G. To appropriate Federal, state, local,
tribal, or foreign governmental agencies SAFEGUARDS: To determine whether this system
or multilateral governmental Information in this system is contains records relating to you, write
organizations responsible for safeguarded in accordance with the USCIS Freedom of Information Act/
investigating or prosecuting the applicable laws and policies, including Privacy Act officer. Mail request to:
violations of, or for enforcing or the DHS Information Technology Elizabeth S. Gaffin, Privacy Officer,
implementing, a statute, rule, Security Program Handbook. All records Department of Homeland Security, U.S.
regulation, order, or license, where are protected from unauthorized access Citizenship and Immigration Services,
USCIS believes the information would through appropriate administrative, 20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Room
assist enforcement of civil or criminal physical, and technical safeguards. 4210, Washington, DC 20529.
laws; These safeguards include restricting
H. To Federal and foreign government access to authorized personnel who CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
intelligence or counterterrorism have a need-to-know, using locks, and See the ‘‘Notification Procedure’’
agencies or components where USCIS password protection identification
becomes aware of an indication of a above.
features. The system is also protected
threat or potential threat to national or through a multi-layer security approach. RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
international security, or where such The protective strategies are physical,
use is to assist in anti-terrorism efforts technical, administrative and Information contained in this system
and disclosure is appropriate to the environmental in nature and provide of records is obtained from USCIS
proper performance of the official duties access control to sensitive data, physical systems including: CLAIMS3,
of the person making the disclosure; access control to DHS facilities, CLAIMS4, RAPS, and MFAS.
I. To a Federal, state, local, tribal, confidentiality of communications, Information contained in the system is
territorial, foreign, or international authentication of sending parties, and also obtained from the FBI and DHS. All
agency, if necessary to obtain personnel screening to ensure that all information contained in BCS is derived
information relevant to a Department of personnel with access to data are from the above systems.
Homeland Security decision concerning screened through background
the hiring or retention of an employee, investigations commensurate with the EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM:
the issuance of a security clearance, the level of access required to perform their
reporting of an investigation of an duties. None.
employee, the letting of a contract, or Dated: May 25, 2007.
the issuance of a license, grant or other RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
Hugo Teufel, III,
benefit. The following USCIS proposal for
J. To appropriate agencies, entities, retention and disposal is pending Chief Privacy Officer.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES

and persons when (1) it is suspected or approval by the National Archives and [FR Doc. 07–2782 Filed 5–31–07; 1:24 pm]
confirmed that the security or Records Administration. Records are BILLING CODE 4410–10–M
confidentiality of information in the stored and retained in the BCS
system of records has been Repository for 75 years, during which
compromised; (2) DHS has determined time the records will be archived. The

VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:28 Jun 04, 2007 Jkt 211001 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\05JNN1.SGM 05JNN1

You might also like