Glossary

A meeting that takes place between interested parties (ex. community members or organizations) and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to share their views on a rule under review. These meetings were more common under previous administrations. The meetings were open to the public. To request one, community members would visit Reginfo.gov, select the rule they're interested in, and follow the instructions under the "Meetings" section. They would need to provide basic information about their organization and what they'd like to discuss.

Steps a government agency takes to carry out, change, or enforce laws and policies. These actions can include creating rules, changing forms, or setting fee or fine amounts.

A federal law that explains how government agencies must create, change, and enforce regulations. It helps make sure that the public has a chance to learn about and comment on proposed rules.

A public notice issued by a federal agency before it writes a proposed regulation. The agency used ANPRM to describe an issue it is considering and ask the public for ideas, information, or feedback that can help shape the proposed rule.

The CRA is a mechanism used by Congress to overturn federal agency rules or actions. The CRA gives Congress a process by which they can undo a rule if they have approval by both houses of Congress and the President or Congress overrides a veto by the President.

A federal law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which regulates the border and monitors international travel and trade.

A federal department tasked with protecting public health, safety, and well-being and providing essential human services to people in need, including food safety, insurance, welfare programs, etc.

A federal government department that works to keep the United States safe. It oversees border security and immigration services and enforcement agencies, including Immigration & Customs (ICE) and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

A federal department under the executive branch responsible for enforcing federal law and civil rights.

A federal department under the executive branch responsible for ensuring workers’ rights are protected, enforcing labor laws, and regulating working conditions.

A rule that a government agency believes is routine or unlikely to be controversial. The agency publishes the rule and announces when it will take effect. If no significant objections are received from the public, the rule becomes final. If there are serious objections, the agency must withdraw the rule and consider another process.

The U.S. government's official daily publication where federal agencies announce new rules, proposed rules, and important notices. It's like a bulletin board for the federal government.

A rise in the amount of money people must pay for a government service, application, permit, or benefit.

An update to a government-issued form, such as changing questions, instructions, or required information.

A rule that takes effect right away because an agency believes there is good cause not to wait. The public can still submit comments, and the agency may later revise the rule based on those comments.

A federal agency within DHS that enforces immigration laws.

The federal agency responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing tax laws in the United States.

The steps used to create a federal law.

A government office that reviews significant proposed and final regulations before they are published. OIRA checks whether a regulation is necessary, whether its benefits outweigh its costs, and whether it is consistent with the President's policies.

The larger office that oversees the federal budget and government management. OIRA is a component of OMB. OMB (via OIRA) helps coordinate and review regulations across federal agencies.

A federal law that was passed to minimize the burden of information collection and paperwork on the public by or for the federal government. Among other requirements, it requires agencies to publish notice in the Federal Register to allow the public to comment on new, revised, or the extensión of the validity period for forms or surveys.

A proposed rule, often called a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), is a draft regulation published by a government agency, such as ICE or USCIS. The public can review it and submit comments before the agency decides whether to make it final.

An official rule created by a government agency to explain how a law will be carried out and enforced. Regulations have the force of law and provide details that may not be included in the law passed by Congress.

This is defined in Executive Order 12866, titled Regulatory Planning and Review, which was issued by President Bill Clinton in 1993. The Order defines a significant regulatory action as any regulatory action that is likely to result in a rule that may:

• Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, territorial, or Tribal governments or communities;
• Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency;
• Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or
• Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive order.

A government publication that lists regulations federal agencies are working on or expect to work on in the future. It helps the public, businesses, and other government agencies see what new rules or changes to existing rules may be coming. Note: the URA has been inconsistently used by the Trump Administration.

The federal department responsible for U.S. foreign policy, diplomacy, passports, visas, and relationships with other countries.

A federal agency within DHS that manages immigration processes, including citizenship, green cards, work permits and immigration applications.