This information is being requested in order to carry out the functions of the U.S. Repatriation Program. This program is authorized by Section 1113 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1313) and the assistance provided to mentally ill repatriates found under 24 U.S.C. §§ 321 - 329. This program also provides services under emergency and group repatriations which are authorized under Section 1113 and by the extension of the Executive Order (E.O.) precedent, E.O. 12656 (53 CFR 47491). General program regulations are found under 45 CFR 211 & 212. Under each requirement, specific information must be provided in order to determine eligibility, provide services, and properly manage the financial activities of this Program which includes collection of the amount associated to the services provided.
In general, the U.S. Repatriation Program (hereinafter Program) was established in 1935 under Section 1113 (Assistance for U.S. Citizens Returned from Foreign Countries), to provide temporary assistance to U.S. citizens and their dependents identified by the Department of State as having returned, or been brought from a foreign country to the U.S. because of destitution, illness, war, threat of war, or a similar crisis, and are without available resources. Upon arrival in the U.S., services for repatriates are the responsibility of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Secretary has delegated these responsibilities to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and later was delegated from ACF to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
Temporary assistance, which is defined as cash payment, medical care (including counseling), temporary billeting (e.g., shelter), transportation, and other goods and services necessary for the health or welfare of individuals is given to eligible repatriates in the form of a service loan and must be repaid to the U.S. Government. Temporary assistance is available to repatriates for up-to 90-days and might be extended by ORR if the circumstances involved necessitate or justify the furnishing of such extension of services (42 U.S.C. § 1313). A case can be closed prior to reaching the 90th day upon finding that the eligible individual has resources available to meet his/her immediate needs. Once a case is closed, ORR through its arrangements with the Program Support Center begins collection of the amount associated to the services provided.
Repatriates can apply for a waiver or deferral of their repatriation loan which is approved on a case by case basis by ORR (45 CFR 212).
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.