CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER
IBIS
The California Service Center (CSC) reported that they had implemented
security background checks on applicants even before the directive
required such checks on all applicants. However, CSC stated that they were
not prepared to perform the needed Interagency Border Inspection System
(IBIS) checks for all cases. See, our May 17, 2002 MURTHYBULLETIN
article, "Mandatory Security Checks Cause INS Backlogs," regarding IBIS
checks, available on MurthyDotCom .
CSC now reports that they are back up to speed and that each examiner
has IBIS access via his or her individual PC. Examiners have all had
training and are presently continuing to process cases that could not be
completed before, due to the need for IBIS checks.
Problem Resolution
The CSC experienced some problems due to allegations that a contractor
may have shredded mail that had been returned as undeliverable. In
light of this, the CSC has instructed examiners not to deny any case for
lack of response to a Request for Evidence (RFE). Presumably, this is
limited to RFEs issued during a specific timeframe. They will be sending
out second RFEs in these cases.
CSC has expanded their phone hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., however, they
only have twelve phone lines for general inquiries.
In response to the discovery that some examiners were issuing overly
burdensome RFEs, CSC has changed the method by which RFEs are generated
so that they will be better tailored to the situation. In the past,
examiners were using stock RFE language but failing to delete portions that
did not apply to a particular case. They must now, specifically, cut
and paste the selected paragraphs.
Processing Progress
I-130s
CSC is attempting to clear out its backlog of pending Petitions for
Alien Relative (Form I-130). They have approximately 500, 000 of these
cases pending. CSC reported that they are prioritizing and resorting the
cases in order to work first on those with visas immediately available.
CSC states that this has been neglected and that, as they get more
resources (staff, etc), they will focus effort on this area. CSC does not
have sufficient, experienced staff for the more complex cases.
I-485s
While the processing report shows that I-485s are taking about a year,
many cases are actually taking 6-9 months. The reason for the
discrepancy is that the report does not give the whole picture. The figure
represents the oldest cases that are ready for adjudication. Cases are not
put on the "shelf" until they are completely ready for adjudication. All
matters, such as fingerprints, must be complete. Family groupings are
kept together and a family may be delayed if one member is not ready.
IBIS
The California Service Center (CSC) reported that they had implemented
security background checks on applicants even before the directive
required such checks on all applicants. However, CSC stated that they were
not prepared to perform the needed Interagency Border Inspection System
(IBIS) checks for all cases. See, our May 17, 2002 MURTHYBULLETIN
article, "Mandatory Security Checks Cause INS Backlogs," regarding IBIS
checks, available on MurthyDotCom .
CSC now reports that they are back up to speed and that each examiner
has IBIS access via his or her individual PC. Examiners have all had
training and are presently continuing to process cases that could not be
completed before, due to the need for IBIS checks.
Problem Resolution
The CSC experienced some problems due to allegations that a contractor
may have shredded mail that had been returned as undeliverable. In
light of this, the CSC has instructed examiners not to deny any case for
lack of response to a Request for Evidence (RFE). Presumably, this is
limited to RFEs issued during a specific timeframe. They will be sending
out second RFEs in these cases.
CSC has expanded their phone hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., however, they
only have twelve phone lines for general inquiries.
In response to the discovery that some examiners were issuing overly
burdensome RFEs, CSC has changed the method by which RFEs are generated
so that they will be better tailored to the situation. In the past,
examiners were using stock RFE language but failing to delete portions that
did not apply to a particular case. They must now, specifically, cut
and paste the selected paragraphs.
Processing Progress
I-130s
CSC is attempting to clear out its backlog of pending Petitions for
Alien Relative (Form I-130). They have approximately 500, 000 of these
cases pending. CSC reported that they are prioritizing and resorting the
cases in order to work first on those with visas immediately available.
CSC states that this has been neglected and that, as they get more
resources (staff, etc), they will focus effort on this area. CSC does not
have sufficient, experienced staff for the more complex cases.
I-485s
While the processing report shows that I-485s are taking about a year,
many cases are actually taking 6-9 months. The reason for the
discrepancy is that the report does not give the whole picture. The figure
represents the oldest cases that are ready for adjudication. Cases are not
put on the "shelf" until they are completely ready for adjudication. All
matters, such as fingerprints, must be complete. Family groupings are
kept together and a family may be delayed if one member is not ready.