Project Ocean - supporting thread - Information about Budget, Acts, ...

[kashmir]

Senator Dianne Feinstein - updates from VSC forum

• kash777 - Senator Dianne Feinstein , CA - 9/24/2003
• newmanmarcus
• kash777 - Response recd from Senator Dianne feinstein's office - 10/17/2003
• luckGC - CA - Senator Diane Fienstein's office

dengdeng - Congressional help thread


CSC - 485102001 - Imp: Senator/Rep feedback Required - 8/1/2003

ngadhia - reply from Senator - 8/1/2003

Reply recieved from senator Dianne Feinstein

July 30, 2003


Dear Mr. ngadhia

Thank you for taking the time to write to me about problems with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS). I have read your letter and welcome the opportunity to respond.

In 2000, I introduced and Congress enacted the "Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2000." The Act required the Department of Justice to issue a report to Congress on the extent of the immigration and naturalization backlogs and the adequacy of the agency's automated systems to manage and reduce its pending workload. The report did not address all of my concerns, however, and BCIS has not issued an update to its efforts to reduce processing delays. Please know that I will continue to raise your concerns with Eduardo Aguirre, Director of BCIS.

Thank you again for writing. Should you have any further questions regarding this issue, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841.

Best Regards.



Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

http://feinstein.senate.gov

Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the Nation are available at my website http://feinstein.senate.gov . You can also receive electronic e-mail updates by subscribing to my e-mail list at http://feinstein.senate.gov/issue.html .


In short.. no solid reply .. and now we just wait for some miracle to happen...

[kashmir]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/relea...0031001-7.html

For Immediate Release
October 1, 2003

FY 2004 Budget Fact Sheet

Today President Bush signed the first ever homeland security appropriations bill at the Department of Homeland Security, continuing his commitment to protect the American people. Overall, the Department's FY 2004 budget authority totals $37.6 billion: $30.4 billion provided by the Congress plus an additional $7.2 billion in fees.

Below are some highlights:

...

Immigration Services

The CIS budget includes $1.8 billion, a 9% increase ($143 million) over FY 2003 to support further improvements in application processing as well as the processing of projected volume. The $1.8 billion is comprised of $236 million in appropriated funding and approximately $1.6 billion in projected fee revenues.

The CIS budget supports the President's five-year, $500 million initiative, begun in FY 2002, to attain a universal six-month processing time standard for all immigration benefit applications, and provide quality service to all legal immigrants, citizens, businesses and other CIS customers. The third $100 million installment of the President's five-year plan consists of $20 million from revenues generated by the Premium Processing Service fee and $80 million in appropriated funds.

...

[kashmir]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/relea...0031001-4.html

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 1, 2003

President Bush Signs Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
Remarks by the President on Signing Homeland Security Appropriations Act
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C.

...

Those in Customs and Immigration are performing essential work in controlling our borders, and at the same time, in reducing the backlog of immigrant applicants as we move toward a standard of six-month processing time for all applications.

...

[Dreamandwin]

For a change - the intent is great, but dont see any timelines to accomplish such a noble objective. Should we wait for elaborations to the press release.

[kashmir]

FY2004 CIS budget
= $1.8 billion
= FY2003 budget + $143 million (9% increase)
= $236 million (in appropriated funding) + $1.6 billion (in projected fee revenues)

• to support further improvements in application processing
• the processing of projected volume

the President's five-year, $500 million initiative
to attain a universal six-month processing time standard for all immigration benefit applications, and provide quality service to all legal immigrants, citizens, businesses and other CIS customers.

• FY2002 - $100 million
• FY2003 - $100 million
• FY2004 - $100 million <--- 3rd
• FY2005 - $100 million
• FY2006 - $100 million

FY2004
= $100 million
= $20 million (from revenues generated by the Premium Processing Service fee) + $80 million (in appropriated funds)

[kashmir]

Originally posted by kashmir
Immigration Services
The CIS budget includes $1.8 billion, a 9% increase ($143 million) over FY 2003 to support further improvements in application processing as well as the processing of projected volume.
...

The FY2004 CIS budget is smaller than $2 billion being wasted in Iraq *per week*.

Good bless poor USCIS.

[kashmir]

Originally posted by kashmir
The CIS budget supports the President's five-year, $500 million initiative, begun in FY 2002, to attain a universal six-month processing time standard for all immigration benefit applications, and provide quality service to all legal immigrants, citizens, businesses and other CIS customers. The third $100 million installment of the President's five-year plan consists of $20 million from revenues generated by the Premium Processing Service fee and $80 million in appropriated funds.
...

FY2004 is 3RD fiscal year.
USCIS had already spent $200 million for backlog reduction, but the backlog has been just increasing.

Eduardo Aguirre, Jr, Director of the USCIS seems to totally rely on IT (information technology) for backlog reduction and a "universal six-month processing time standard" is tagetted to the end of FY2006 (5th fiscal year), 3 years later, 9/30/2006.
http://www.immigrationportal.com/sho...371#post572371

For a short term, we will not see any result of this initiative.

[kashmir]

Originally posted by kashmir
FY2004 CIS budget
= $1.8 billion
= FY2003 budget + $143 million (9% increase)
= $236 million (in appropriated funding) + $1.6 billion (in projected fee revenues)

• to support further improvements in application processing
• the processing of projected volume

Then, the fact is:
FY2004 CIS budget for the processing of projected volume is a little bit increased from FY2003.

A short-term backlog reduction (? keeping, not increasing) relys on:
1) priority
2) zero tolerance policy withdrawn

[kashmir]

1. We will not see any result of the President's five-year, $500 million initiative for backlog reduction for following two years.
   If the USCIS IT division were really excellent, the backlog reduction might be starting earlier than expected, but very unlikely.
2. The CSC definitely needs 15 adjudicators only for EB I-485.
   The budget seems OK unless another damnable priority will appear and if "zero tolerance" policy was withdrawn.
   But USCIS top management is not smart.

[kashmir]

http://www.immigrationportal.com/sho...threadid=99645
http://www.usvisainfo.com/pageDisplay.php?docID=87&a=80
SEP-25-2003 LEGACY INS ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY WITHDRAWN
In a move hailed by immigration attorneys and immigrant rights advocates, the USCIS (legacy INS) has withdrawn the chilling "Zero Tolerance Memo" issued by former INS Commissioner James Zigler. This memo created a working environment of fear among unquestionably dedicated and competent INS officers, resulting in the development of a culture of "no". Officers have been afraid to exercise favorable discretion in the environment of fear engendered by this memo. Now that the memo has laudably been withdrawn, we are optimistic that the thousands of dedicated and competent legacy INS officials will be able to adjudicate applications on their merits without fear of reprisal.


http://www.immigration.com/newsletter/vtmay62002.html
VERMONT SERVICE CENTER - 05/06/2002
Zero Tolerance: The INS has begun to institute a zero tolerance policy. This means that if people are out of status, adjudicators will not be exercising discretion to consider the status violation de minimis and approve the benefit being sought. There is tremendous pressure being brought to bear by the Administration, the Congress, and the INS itself to ensure that the present state of the law is being followed precisely. Members should be aware of this policy.


http://www.murthy.com/UD0toler.html
Zero Tolerance" Policy for Those Out of Status Posted May 10, 2002
According to the Vermont Service Center, the INS has instituted a "zero tolerance" policy regarding applications or petitions filed by or on behalf of persons who are out of status. This policy means that INS examiners will not be overlooking brief periods of status non-compliance on a case-by-case basis, as they previously did. Those applying for extensions or changes in nonimmigrant status are required to demonstrate that they are in valid legal status at the time of filing. To a limited degree in the past, the INS would grant these applications even if there were brief, minimal status lapses or violations. This is no longer the case.

According to AILA, there is "tremendous pressure" by the Bush Administration, the Congress, and within INS to more strictly adhere to the law. For MurthyBulletin and MurthyDotCom readers this means that conscientious compliance with the immigration laws is now more important than ever.

While laws must be respected, there should also be room for employing flexibility and discretion to ensure that the spirit and intent of the law is not lost in carrying out the letter of the law. It is our position that the INS needs to be empowered to review the reasons for technical errors and minor failures in an application or petition to determine whether it is appropriate to excuse the problem. Following the law so strictly in such circumstances would not really enhance U.S. security but in fact would be harmful to well-intentioned individuals and their U.S. employers.


http://www.murthy.com/UD02vscup.html
AILA 2002 Conference Report : Vermont Service Center Update Posted Jun 28, 2002
The INS Service Center updates session of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) June 2002 annual conference provided insight into a number of important matters and significant correction and retraction regarding the previously announced "zero tolerance" policy. This Report should provide MurthyBulletin and MurthyDotCom readers with some clarity on many Service Center issues, including the question which is always on everyone's mind - why is my case taking so long?

No "Zero Tolerance" Policy

One of the major, and positive, clarifications was made by Paul Novak, Director, Vermont Service Center (VSC) regarding the fact that the VSC does not have a “zero tolerance” policy regarding petitions for changes / extensions of status filed by persons who were not in status at the time of filing. We reported on this “policy” based on AILA’s release of, what now appears to be, erroneous information. As a result of VSC's retraction, our May 10, 2002 article, Zero Tolerance Policy for Those Out of Status, has been removed from MurthyDotCom. This release was also covered by various other immigration news sources.

Director Novak specifically stated that there is not and has never been an internal policy to limit the discretion of the examiners in this matter. He said that, while current events may have an impact on the examiners' decisions, the events have not taken away the examiners' discretion regarding whether to grant extensions of stay / change of status for those persons who have fallen out of status briefly. He said that a clarification on the matter was forthcoming.


http://www.immigration-law.com/Archive%20VII.html
06/28/2003: Government's Zero Tolerance Mentality and Immigration Processing Backlogs
* Bush's 5-year backlog reduction plan was announced before the 9/11 incident, and even though no one within the Administration at this time admits it, it is obvious that the commitment to 6-month processing times under the so-called five year reduction plan is either practically gone or logistically impossible to achieve it. Current IBIS Check and SEVIS check and Special Registration check and on and on are stumbling block for the improvement of the processing times. There are more to the story. When the Congress passed the DHS Act, the relevant government employees' Civil Service Merit System and Union Rights were compromised and the employees have been vulnerable to disciplinary actions. Before the INS Commissioner retired last year, he had issued a so-called Zero Tolerance Policy Memorandum to the INS employees. The zero tolerance implied two things: Zero tolerance for immigration violations and zero tolerance for the INS officials's failure to handle matters in strict compliance with such policy. Even before this memo, the INS officials had developed a mentality of fear for mistakes and liability that could lead to disciplinary actions, but the memo appeared to have aggravated such mentality. Growing number of issuance of RFEs, denials, and delays of adjudications are undeniably related to the nervousness and fear the officials are currently obsessed with.
* We urge that the government leaders take an action to change such mentality within the agencies so that the officials perform normally without any fears. Making a mistake once in a while is part of our lives. Without doubt the officials should continue to do the right job in the IBIS and SEVIS checks to assure homeland security, but they should somehow feel at ease in performing their duties and services so that their effectiveness and efficiency are not unnecessarily negatively affected. Probably, the GAO should also look into this issue to correct problem, if any.

[kashmir]

http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/...eMPI090303.pdf
Eduardo Aguire
Director
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Prepared Rmarks (Note: Director May Deviate)
Migration Policy Institute
September 3, 2003

...

... CIS cannot afford to have employees frozen by the fear of making a mistake. Finding solutions to the many challenges we face will require calculated, well-informed risk taking.

...

- USCIS -

He was not only coward and stupid but also a liar.

[kashmir]

http://www.ilw.com/lawyers/immigdail...,0616-zero.pdf

[kashmir]

Originally posted by kashmir
http://www.ilw.com/lawyers/immigdail...,0616-zero.pdf

http://www.bcis.gov/graphics/aboutus...ucturetest.pdf
Statement
of
Commissioner James W. Ziglar
U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service
Before the
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on the Judiciary
Regarding
Restructuring the INS
Tuesday, April 9, 2002
2141 Rayburn House Office Building
3:00 p.m.

[kashmir]

Originally posted by kashmir
http://www.ilw.com/lawyers/immigdail...,0616-zero.pdf

March 22, 2002

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL REGIONAL DIRECTORS
ALL DISTRICT DIRECTORS

FROM: James W. Ziglar /s/
Commissioner
Immigration and Naturalization Service
SUBJECT: Zero Tolerance Policy

Effective immediately, I am implementing a zero tolerance policy with regard to INS employees who fail to abide by Headquarters-issued policy and field instructions. I would like to make it clear that disregarding field guidance or other INS policy will not be tolerated. The days of looking the other way are over.

Regional Directors and District Directors are expected to read and understand all field guidance and then it is their responsibility to ensure that the substance of all field guidance is properly and effectively communicated to all personnel, in a timely manner.

It is also imperative that each employee review and understand issued field guidance. Each supervisor is to ensure that each employee has not only read the field guidance, but that they are also implementing the guidance. Individuals who fail to abide by issued field guidance or other INS policy will be disciplined appropriately.

[kashmir]

Experpt from YJay's message at the VSC forum:

Here is a list of members on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims Subcommittee of Committee on the Judiciary B370B RHOB, Washington, DC 20515-6217 (202) 225-5727

We should certainly contact these 13 people. They are the policy makers on immigration issues.
Republican
John N. Hostettler , IN, Chairman
Jeff Flake , AZ
Marsha Blackburn , TN
Lamar S. Smith , TX
Elton Gallegly , CA
Chris Cannon , UT
Steve King , IA
Melissa A. Hart , PA

Democrat
Sheila Jackson-Lee , TX
Linda T. Sánchez , CA
Zoe Lofgren , CA
Howard L. Berman , CA
John Conyers Jr., MI

[kashmir]

U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims
Mr. John N. Hostettler, Chairman
B-370B Rayburn HOB, Tel: 202-225-5727

Republican

• John N. Hostettler , IN (Chairman)
• Jeff Flake , AZ
• Marsha Blackburn , TN
• Lamar S. Smith , TX
• Elton Gallegly , CA 24th
• Chris Cannon , UT
• Steve King , IA
• Melissa A. Hart , PA

Democrat

• Sheila Jackson-Lee , TX
• Linda T. Sánchez , CA 39th
• Zoe Lofgren , CA 16th
• Howard L. Berman , CA 28th
• John Conyers Jr., MI

[kashmir]

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D CA 16th)

Town Hall Meetings
Saturday, October 11, 2003

• Hester Elementary School
  1460 The Alameda
  San Jose, CA 95126
  9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
• Selma Olinder Elementary School
  890 East William Street
  San Jose, CA 95116
  11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Shirakawa Community Center
  2072 Lucretia Avenue
  San Jose, CA 95122
  1:00 PM - 2:00 Pm

Immigration

As a member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims, I have fought hard to protect the rights of immigrants, fix the problems with the INS, and have worked to create new immigration policies that will lead us through the 21st century.

In the 107th Congress, I introduced legislation to improve the way the INS handles foreign children who arrive at our borders with no parent or guardian. These children should have a right to counsel, a right to an appointed guardian, and, as children, should be separated from the adult immigrant population throughout the immigration process. Currently, the legislation I introduced has been incorporated into a bill that will establish the Department of Homeland Security.

In my seven years as a Member of Congress, I have actively supported efforts to improve the conditions of refugees around the world and have asked the President to allow Colombians and Salvadorans to apply for temporary protected status to escape armed conflicts and natural disasters in their home countries. I have also introduced legislation to continue to allow legal permanent residents to work as airport security screeners in the same way that legal permanent residents are allowed to fight for our country by joining the U.S. military.

From my experience as an immigration attorney and from the large number of requests for assistance from my constituents, I understand the frustration of dealing with the INS. This is why I support efforts to restructure the INS while advocating for the use of innovative technology by the INS, all in an effort to reduce the large backlog of immigration applications.

Finally, in my years in Congress, I have fought for ways to improve our immigration system to address the need for high-skilled workers while making sure we develop and implement a long-term, workforce training agenda in the United States to alleviate the shortage of workers we experience in prosperous economic times. I will continue to advocate immigration policies that will sustain our economic growth and global competitive position throughout the 21st century.

[kashmir]

Mike Honad (D CA 15th)

Rep. Honda Speaks Out for Common Sense Immigration Reform
On Oct. 2, 2003, Rep. Honda welcomed the Immigrant Freedom Riders to the nation's capital, and spoke at a rally in support of common sense immigration reform. Immigrants are the backbone of many service and agricultural industries, pay taxes, and contribute immensely to our economy.

Rep. Honda Calls for the Repeal of the Patriot Act
On Sept. 24, 2003, Rep. Honda spoke out at a press conference in support of legislation to repeal 11 of the most troubling provisions of the Patriot Act that infringe on our civil liberties. He is a co-sponsor of this legislation.

[kashmir]

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D CA 16th)

Washington, D.C. Office:
102 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3072
Fax: (202) 225-3336

San Jose District Office:
635 N. First Street, Suite B
San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: (408) 271-8700
Fax: (408) 271-8713

[kashmir]

California Congressional Districts (PDF 1,256KB)

[kashmir]

Bay Area Congressional Delegation Studies Chronic Delays at Immigration Agency 2/25/2000

• Statement of Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D CA 16th)
• Statement of Rep. Anna Eshoo (D CA 14th)
• ...

[kashmir]

(originally posted at the VSC forum by kash777)

backlog delay sued BCIS and got approved case thru marriage, good example

From newsletter Carl Shusterman ,immigration attorney dated 10.11.2003 :

6. Mandamus Actions: Make the Government Work for You!
What are the most popular pages on our web site?

The government processing times!

This is no surprise since it takes the government over two years to process an
application for adjustment of status, and over six months to process a simple
H-1B petition.

Recently, we were retained to represent a young woman who had obtained
conditional permanent residence through her marriage to a U.S. citizen. The
marriage failed to last two years beyond the date that she adjusted her status.

She submitted an application (I-751) to remove the two-year condition on her
green card and to waive the joint petition requirement. She waited three years
for the INS to process her application. Then she moved to Los Angeles, and was
told that her application would go to the back of the line, and she would have
to wait another three years!

She did not think this was fair, and neither did I. One of our attorneys made
an inquiry on her behalf, and received the same answer: three more years.

We wrote two certified letters to the government requesting an immediate
interview for our client. Then we went to the Federal Court and asked for a
"Writ of Mandamus" to require the government to make a decision on her
application.

After filing our law suit, we received a call from the U.S. Attorneys Office.
The U.S. Attorneys represent the Department of Homeland Security and other
federal agencies in court.

The Assistant U.S. Attorney informed us that we would be hearing from the
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) shortly.

The very next day, we received an appointment letter from the CIS scheduling an
interview for our client. We appeared with her at her interview, and the I-751
was approved on the same date. Our client is delighted and so are we. We are
now applying for naturalization on her behalf.

What is a Writ of Mandamus? It compels the government to perform a duty owed
to you. If you submitted an application for an immigration benefit, if it is
beyond the normal processing time, if you have made written inquiries about
your application, and the government has not responded, requesting a Writ of
Mandamus in Federal Court will get their attention. Trust me.

Unfortunately, many immigrants are afraid that the Immigration Service will
deny their applications in retribution if they ask for a Writ of Mandamus. All
I can say that after practicing immigration law for over 25 years, both for the
INS and in private practice, I have never seen this happen.

Some attorneys are afraid to go to Federal Court and sue the Immigration
Service.

Fortunately, the American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF) has published an
excellent Practice Advisory regarding how to file a mandamus action in Federal
Court which cites the relevant statutes and case law.

[kashmir]

The link of the article at visalaw.com was posted at the thread, being mentined at the previous message, in VSC forum by kjkool.

[kashmir]

Executive Branch
The power of the executive branch is vested in the President, who also serves as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. The President appoints the Cabinet and oversees the various agencies and departments of the federal government.
The White House
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services

Legislative Branch
The legislative branch of the federal government consists of the Congress, which is divided into two chambers -- the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each member of Congress is elected by the people of his or her state. The House of Representatives, with membership based on state populations, has 435 seats, while the Senate, with two members from each state, has 100 seats. Members of the House of Representatives are elected for two-year terms, and Senators are elected for six-year terms.
The House of Representatives
The Senate

Judicial Branch
The judicial branch hears cases that challenge or require interpretation of the legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President. It consists of the Supreme Court and the lower federal courts. Appointees to the federal bench serve for life or until they voluntarily resign or retire.
The Supreme Court is the most visible of all the federal courts. The number of Justices is determined by Congress rather than the Constitution, and since 1869, the Court has been composed of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. Justices are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
The United States Supreme Court
The U.S. Federal Courts

[kashmir]

According to gc0299's thread,
many people received 2nd FP notice recently.

It was mentioned in the minutes of CSC/NAFSA Liaison Meeting, September 18, 2003 as Tasse originally posted:

question by NAFSA
Many people with pending I-485 applications at CSC had their prints taken more than 15 months ago. In light of the fact that the print is only valid for 15 months, would you like a list of those individuals with expired prints so that they may be sent another print notice? We can also provide you with the date that the print was taken at an ASC.
answer by CSC
We are well aware of expiring fingerprints. We will begin full adjudication of the I-485's in October. We have been promised additional resources. Mid September we will run a report which will give us all the expired prints as well as the ones that are still current. With that information we will have the contractor schedule people for fingerprints. If it is discovered at the time that the officer adjudicates the case, he/she will schedule and if needed issue an RFE at the same time. Everyone should be advised to pay close attention to these notices and follow the instructions closely. No additional fee will be requested except for those applicants who have now turned 14 and need to be printed.

This minutes also mentioned:
the CSC began full adjudication of the I-485's in October and the CSC had been promised additional resources (by whom?).

According to the Project Kashmir,
the CSC is adjudicating 100 cases per week (400 cases per month) in October,
and this pace almost equals to ones in the last six months.
I believe this slow pace is "full adjudication" that the CSC promised in the minutes.
(originally posted at Silly Man's "Oct 17nth" thread)

Again, we definitely need (at least) 15 adjudicators dedicated to EB I-485 cases at the CSC,
and these officers will not be allocated automatically if we are just waiting.
-kashmir

[kashmir]

1. Mike Thompson
2. Wally Herger
3. Doug Ose
4. John Doolittle
5. Robert Matsui
6. Lynn Woolsey
7. George Miller
8. Nancy Pelosi
9. Barbara Lee
10. Ellen Tauscher
11. Richard Pombo
12. Tom Lantos
13. Fortney Pete Stark
14. Anna G. Eshoo
15. Mike Honda
16. Zoe Lofgren
17. Sam Farr
18. Dennis Cardoza
19. George P. Radanovich
20. Cal Dooley
21. Devin Nunes
22. Bill Thomas
23. Lois Capps
24. Elton Gallegly
25. Buck McKeon
26. David Dreier
27. Brad Sherman
28. Howard Berman
29. Adam Schiff
30. Henry Waxman
31. Xavier Becerra
32. Hilda Solis
33. Diane E. Watson
34. Lucille Roybal-Allard
35. Maxine Waters
36. Jane Harman
37. Juanita Millender-McDonald
38. Grace Napolitano
39. Linda Sanchez
40. Ed Royce
41. Jerry Lewis
42. Gary Miller
43. Joe Baca
44. Ken Calvert
45. Mary Bono
46. Dana Rohrabacher
47. Loretta Sanchez
48. Christopher Cox
49. Darrell Issa
50. Randy "Duke" Cunningham
51. Bob Filner
52. Duncan Hunter
53. Susan Davis

[kashmir]

(originally posted at Project Ocean subproject thread 2nd December 2003 05:22 PM)

USCIS is now hiring Center Adjudications Officers.
-kashmir

Current Vacancies

DHS Immigration Related Vacancies and Employment Information

If you are interested in immigration-related career opportunities with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), please see the job listings on the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) USAJOBS website. This page will list vacancies for these DHS immigration-related organizations:

* U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
* U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
* U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Read more about Core Immigration related occupations.

...

District Adjudications Officer/Center Adjudications Officer
USCIS is now accepting registrations for the written test for District Adjudications Officer and Center Adjudications Officer positions at the GS-5 and GS-7 grade levels. Positions are available nationwide. The Public Job Notice (announcement), AO-04-01, is open from December 1, 2003 through February 2, 2004. There are two early consideration dates, please see the Public Job Notice for more information. For a copy of the Public Job Notice that contains information on the positions and the registration process, please click here. To go directly to the registration for the written test, please go to the DAO/CAO On-line Application.

Read more about Current Federal Salary Pay Scales.

...

[kashmir]

Core Occupations

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Adjudications Officer:
Each year hundreds of thousands of people apply for various types of immigration benefits from the United States government. The benefits they seek include permission to import foreign workers, permission for relatives to immigrate and permission to become American citizens. Adjudications Officers determine eligibility for this wide variety of benefits. They review applications and often conduct interviews of the applicants. Adjudications Officers have the dual responsibility of providing courteous service to the public while being alert to the possibility of fraud and misrepresentation and usually perform their duties in an office environment. District Adjudications Officers are located in the offices nationwide and may be called on to provide assistance to Immigration Inspectors. Center Adjudications Officers are located only in the following Service Centers: St. Albans, VT; Lincoln, NE; Irving, TX; and Laguna Niguel, CA. Individuals will be hired at the GS-5 or GS-7 level; progression is to the GS-12 level after successful completion of the preceding grade(s). Competition is required to move above the GS-12 level.

The Adjudicator basic training course is approximately a one month residential program and includes instruction in the following subject areas: Immigration Law, USCIS Adjudication Process and Procedures, Naturalization Process and Procedures, Fraudulent Document Detection, EEO, Sexual Harassment, and Utilization of Immigration Data Base Systems. In order to successfully complete basic training all officers must obtain a score of 70% or better in each of the major areas of study, as well as satisfactorily complete all required Practical Exercises.

Immigration Information Officer (IIO):
Each year hundreds of thousands of people apply for various types of benefits under the Immigration and Nationality law. The IIO provides information about immigration and nationality law and regulations. They assist with information necessary to complete required forms and explain the administrative procedures and normal processing times for each application. These positions are located throughout the country in Districts, Sub offices, and Service Centers. Individuals may be hired at the GS-5 level; progression is to the GS-8 level after successful completion of the preceding grade(s). Competition is required to move to grade levels above GS-8.

The Immigration Information Officer basic training course is approximately a one month residential program and includes instruction in the following subject areas: Immigration Law, Immigration Officer Duties and Responsibilities, Fraudulent Document Detection, Customer Service, EEO, Sexual Harassment, and Utilization of Immigration Data Base Systems. In order to successfully complete basic training all officers must obtain a score of 70% or better in each of the major areas of study.

...

Last Modified 11/05/2003

[kashmir]

2003 Salary Tables and Related Information

Salary Table 2003-GS

                                 Salary Table 2003-GS
                                 2003 General Schedule
	               INCORPORATING A 3.10% GENERAL INCREASE 

                                Effective January 2003

                             Annual Rates by Grade and Step

GS     1          2         3         4         5        6          7        8        9       10

1     15214     15722     16228     16731     17238     17536     18034    18538    18559    19031
2     17106     17512     18079     18559     18767     19319     19871    20423    20975    21527
3     18664     19286     19908     20530     21152     21774     22396    23018    23640    24262
4     20952     21650     22348     23046     23744     24442     25140    25838    26536    27234
5     23442     24223     25004     25785     26566     27347     28128    28909    29690    30471
6     26130     27001     27872     28743     29614     30485     31356    32227    33098    33969
7     29037     30005     30973     31941     32909     33877     34845    35813    36781    37749
8     32158     33230     34302     35374     36446     37518     38590    39662    40734    41806
9     35519     36703     37887     39071     40255     41439     42623    43807    44991    46175
10    39115     40419     41723     43027     44331     45635     46939    48243    49547    50851
11    42976     44409     45842     47275     48708     50141     51574    53007    54440    55873
12    51508     53225     54942     56659     58376     60093     61810    63527    65244    66961
13    61251     63293     65335     67377     69419     71461     73503    75545    77587    79629
14    72381     74794     77207     79620     82033     84446     86859    89272    91685    94098
15    85140     87978     90816     93654     96492     99330    102168   105006   107844   110682

[kashmir]

Lew's Law - Immigration Updates

California Service Center (CSC) Updates (11-29-2003)

I-485 Processing backlog

By mid November 2003, CSC is expected to complete processing the religious worker program cases that had been reviewed prior to September 30, 2003. Currently, ten people are adjudicating adjustment of status cases, however the division has requested that 30 people be assigned to these adjudications.

CSC announced that its goal is to reduce the I-485 backlog to 6 months processing time by November 2004; H-1B change of status processing to 60 days; other I-129s to 120 days; H-1B extension of stay to 150 days, and L-1 to 30 days.

I-140/I-485 Portability filings

CSC announced that the following portability approach in handling concurrent I-140/I-485 cases would be used. Two conditions must be met in order to port these cases:

1. I-485 must have been pending for 180 days or more; and
2. I-140 must be approved.

For example, if the I-140 is approved on the 30th day after concurrent filing, then one has to wait 150 days in order to port (because I-485 has already been pending for 30 days before the I-140 was approved). If the I-140 is approved on the 181 day after concurrent filing, then one can port immediately (because the I-485 had been pending for more than 180 days).

Contents Copyright �¢í 2000 Jocelyne J. Kim Lew, aplc. All Rights Reserved.