Difference between FOIPA and name check
Here is the email I received from FBI that explains the difference. My name check has pending for 17 months, and for sure, it is still pending.....
Too early to congratulate even if you get no record for FOIPA, as most people do.
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I am responding to your letter dated xxxx, 2004, concerning your name check status.
A review of the FBI’s Name Check Program database revealed that a request from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for you was received on xxx, 2003, and it is currently in a pending status.
Let me explain the difference in processing an individual’s Freedom of Information-Privacy Act (FOIPA) request versus an FBI National Name Check Program (NNCP) record review. While both FOIPA and NNCP process requests through an automated or manual check of the FBI’s Central Records System Universal Index (UNI) of 86 million files, the scope of the searches for these two programs differ. The difference in searches reflects the distinct purpose of the two programs. FOIPA provides copies of FBI files relevant to a FOIPA request. NNCP conducts a search to identify any information contained in FBI records that may be associated with an individual and provides the information to another government entity. FOIPA searches to determine whether there is a file of investigation associated with an individual. This is called a “main file” search. The NNCP conducts both a main file and a “reference” search. A reference is someone whose name merely appears in an FBI file or investigation. For NNCP checks, in each instance where UNI has identified a name variation or reference, an FBI analyst must review the information to determine whether it is applicable to the individual in question. This thorough vetting of a name can consume considerable time.
Please be assured that the immigration authorities will be notified at the earliest possible date upon completion of your case. I am sorry we are unable to be of more assistance at this time.
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Here is the email I received from FBI that explains the difference. My name check has pending for 17 months, and for sure, it is still pending.....
Too early to congratulate even if you get no record for FOIPA, as most people do.
**************************************
I am responding to your letter dated xxxx, 2004, concerning your name check status.
A review of the FBI’s Name Check Program database revealed that a request from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for you was received on xxx, 2003, and it is currently in a pending status.
Let me explain the difference in processing an individual’s Freedom of Information-Privacy Act (FOIPA) request versus an FBI National Name Check Program (NNCP) record review. While both FOIPA and NNCP process requests through an automated or manual check of the FBI’s Central Records System Universal Index (UNI) of 86 million files, the scope of the searches for these two programs differ. The difference in searches reflects the distinct purpose of the two programs. FOIPA provides copies of FBI files relevant to a FOIPA request. NNCP conducts a search to identify any information contained in FBI records that may be associated with an individual and provides the information to another government entity. FOIPA searches to determine whether there is a file of investigation associated with an individual. This is called a “main file” search. The NNCP conducts both a main file and a “reference” search. A reference is someone whose name merely appears in an FBI file or investigation. For NNCP checks, in each instance where UNI has identified a name variation or reference, an FBI analyst must review the information to determine whether it is applicable to the individual in question. This thorough vetting of a name can consume considerable time.
Please be assured that the immigration authorities will be notified at the earliest possible date upon completion of your case. I am sorry we are unable to be of more assistance at this time.
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