The Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) Headquarters (HQ) Hummingbird program is a U.S. Government
program, initiated in July 2021 pursuant to the Presidential
Memorandum on the Designation of the Department of Homeland
Security as Lead Federal Department for Facilitating the Entry of
Vulnerable Afghans into the United States and in support of
Operation Allies Welcome (OAW). DHS, in coordination with the
Department of State (DOS), is supporting screening, processing and
resettlement efforts for individuals coming from Afghanistan who
are neither U.S. citizens nor lawful permanent residents. This
includes initial screening and vetting prior to entering the U.S.,
managing humanitarian parole, issuing special immigrant visas,
processing at pre-designated U.S. military bases, COVID-19 testing,
isolation of COVID-positive individuals, vaccinations, additional
medical services, applications for immigration status, work
authorization, and essential coverage, and resettlement assistance.
The legal authority for this program is provided under Section 402,
of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as revised (Pub. L. 107-296)
(6 U.S.C. § 202).
The Hummingbird program
supports Operation Allies Welcome (OAW). DHS HQ, in coordination
with the Department of State (DOS), is supporting screening,
processing and resettlement efforts for individuals coming from
Afghanistan who are neither U.S. citizens nor lawful permanent
residents. This includes initial screening and vetting prior to
entering the U.S., managing humanitarian parole, issuing special
immigrant visas, processing at pre-designated U.S. military bases,
COVID-19 testing, isolation of COVID-positive individuals,
vaccinations, additional medical services, applications for
immigration status, work authorization, and essential coverage, and
resettlement assistance. The request for emergency approval is
based on the reasons listed below. Through this summer and fall
Americans across the country witnessed horrifying images of Afghani
allies desperate to flee Afghanistan as that country rapidly fell
into the hands of the Taliban. These Afghanis had offered their
support and loyalty to the American military while American troops
were deployed in their country. As a result of their loyalty to the
United States, they became prime targets for Taliban retribution
including likely bodily harm, possible death, and severe
psychological distress over the traumatizing situation. During the
fall of Kabul, reports in the American news media included
instances of the Taliban murdering civilians and telling women it
was not safe for them to leave their homes as their troops had not
been trained in how in interact with women. Over the ensuing days,
the Taliban noose tightened over Afghanistan and around the necks
of our Afghan allies. Operations Allies Welcome very likely saved
our allies lives by extracting them from Afghanistan and offering
them refuge in America. In order to provide desperately needed
resettlement and medical benefits to this loyal and deserving
group, the collection of the information outlined in Statement A is
required. Without this critical information, the DOS and now DHS HQ
would not be able to provide evacuation travel, critical medical
services, and resettlement benefits. The Hummingbird team is asking
OMB to join with the DOS and DHS HQ in our efforts to deliver
valuable benefits in an efficient manner reducing the time these
loyal allies wait for critical services by approving this request
for an emergency approval of this collection.
US Code:
6 USC
202 Name of Law: Title 6 - DOMESTIC SECURITY
PL:
Pub.L. 107 - 296 402 Name of Law: Homeland Security Act of
2002
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.
CBP APIS SORN.pdf
PRA Supporting Statement A Hummingbird Final 3-25-22 (1).docx
DHS Hummingbird on ServiceNow Platform