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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

CIS ID: [CIS No. 2423-08; DHS Docket No. USCIS 2008-0031]

RIN ID: RIN 1615-ZA60

NOTICE: NOTICES

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Small Business Non-Retaliation Policy

DATES: The Acting Director of USCIS approved the small business non- retaliation policy on June 24, 2008. The policy remains in effect until modified or rescinded by the Acting Director.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: In support of the initiatives of the National Ombudsman of the U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announces adoption of a small business nonretaliation policy. If a small business questions or lodges a complaint regarding a USCIS policy or action or seeks help from others to deal with such a policy or action, USCIS will not retaliate against that small business in any fashion. The full policy is established by this notice.

SUMMARY: Small Business Non-Retaliation Policy,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The National Ombudsman of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has asked each Federal agency to adopt a policy that the agency will not retaliate against small businesses that question or complain about the way the agency does business. On June 24, 2008, the Acting Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved the following statement of USCIS policy:

If a small business questions or complains about a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services policy or action or seeks help from others to deal with a USCIS policy or action, USCIS will not retaliate against that small business in any way. If a small business thinks that USCIS has not followed this policy, the agency will investigate, take appropriate action, and ensure that mistakes are not repeated. Small businesses may comment, ask questions, or file a complaint about USCIS policies or actions by contacting the USCIS Customer Assistance Office, local USCIS offices, or the Small Business Administration's Office of the National Ombudsman at 1888REGFAIR (7343247), fax 2024815719; email ombudsman@sba.gov.

Small businesses generally are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields. If you need help determining whether or not your business qualifies as a ``small business,'' contact the SBA's Office of the National Ombudsman using the information as noted above.

Dated: June 24, 2008.
Jonathan R. Scharfen,
Acting Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. [FR Doc. E814843 Filed 63008; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 911197P

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Christine Gooding, Customer Assistance Office, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 111 Massachusetts Ave., NW., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20539; Phone: 18003572099