The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), published a notice in the Federal Register on January 7, 2026, announcing a 60-day public comment period for the extension of an existing information collection. This collection involves forms used to register for free training on civics and citizenship for adult teachers and to obtain a related toolkit. The action falls under OMB Control Number 1615-0120 and complies with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which mandates federal agencies to evaluate and minimize the burden of information collections on the public. By extending this collection without changes, USCIS aims to continue supporting educational resources that help immigrants prepare for naturalization, highlighting the agency's role in facilitating citizenship pathways amid ongoing immigration policy discussions.
Background and Purpose of the Information Collection
The information collection in question supports two key USCIS initiatives: free training for teachers of civics and citizenship to adults, and the distribution of a Civics and Citizenship Toolkit. These resources are designed to assist educators, community organizations, and libraries in providing instruction to immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship. Form G-1190 is used for registering for the training, while Form G-1515 facilitates requests for the toolkit. According to the notice, the primary respondents are individuals or households, with an estimated 2,500 respondents for G-1190 and 1,200 for G-1515 annually.
This collection originated as part of USCIS's broader mandate under the Immigration and Nationality Act to promote citizenship education. The agency has maintained these programs to address the educational needs of lawful permanent residents preparing for the naturalization test, which includes civics questions on U.S. history and government. The extension without change reflects a continuity in policy, ensuring that these no-cost resources remain available without introducing new administrative hurdles.
Compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act
The notice is issued in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, a law that requires federal agencies to obtain Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for information collections and to solicit public input every three years. USCIS estimates the total annual hour burden at 407 hours, with no associated cost burden to respondents since submissions are electronic and free of postage. The agency invites comments on four specific areas: the necessity of the collection for agency functions, the accuracy of burden estimates, ways to enhance the quality of information collected, and methods to minimize respondent burden, such as through technology.
John R. Pfirrmann-Powell, Acting Deputy Chief of the Regulatory Coordination Division at USCIS, signed the notice on December 31, 2025. It emphasizes transparency by directing comments to the Federal eRulemaking Portal under Docket ID USCIS-2008-0021, with a deadline of March 9, 2026. This process underscores the PRA's goal of balancing agency needs with public efficiency, a principle upheld in precedents like the OMB's guidelines on reducing paperwork, which have influenced similar extensions across federal agencies.
Key Players and Stakeholder Perspectives
USCIS, as the lead agency, administers these programs to fulfill its educational outreach under DHS. The involvement of the Government Publishing Office in disseminating the Federal Register notice ensures wide accessibility. Affected stakeholders include adult educators, non-profit organizations focused on immigrant integration, and immigrants themselves, who benefit indirectly through better-prepared teachers.
From a policy perspective, supporters of expansive immigration services view this extension as a positive step in promoting inclusive citizenship education, aligning with initiatives like the USCIS Office of Citizenship's broader goals. Critics, however, might argue that such collections, even minimal, add to administrative overhead in an already complex immigration system, potentially echoing debates in Congress over DHS funding and efficiency. For instance, similar PRA notices have drawn comments from advocacy groups like the American Immigration Lawyers Association, which often push for streamlined processes to aid vulnerable populations.
Implications for Immigration Education and Policy
The short-term implications of this extension include uninterrupted access to training and toolkits, which could enhance the quality of civics instruction for adult learners. In the long term, maintaining these resources without alteration may contribute to higher naturalization rates, as evidenced by USCIS data showing that prepared applicants fare better on civics tests. This aligns with broader political forces, such as bipartisan support for citizenship promotion amid fluctuating immigration enforcement priorities.
Potential challenges include ensuring equitable distribution of resources in underserved areas, where digital access for submissions might be limited. Different perspectives emerge here: educators may appreciate the zero-cost burden, while fiscal conservatives could question the overall efficiency of such programs in the federal budget. The notice's emphasis on electronic submissions reflects ongoing efforts to modernize government processes, potentially reducing environmental impact and processing times.
In summary, this Federal Register notice represents a routine yet essential step in sustaining USCIS's educational outreach. Looking ahead, the public comment period could lead to refinements if significant feedback emerges, setting the stage for a 30-day follow-up notice before final OMB approval. Ongoing debates may focus on integrating these programs with digital advancements or expanding them to address evolving immigrant needs, while navigating budgetary constraints and policy shifts in immigration reform.
