__ The rumors of a temporary halt in approvals for adjustment and naturalization applications are true. We have received information from various Districts indicating that the halt should be brief (lasting 1-2 weeks), but may require more time, depending on how quickly the required change can be made. _The change being made is a modification to the FBI system for notifying INS of applicant's criminal or other record of interest. _Currently, INS waits a certain amount of time after submitting the request to the FBI and if no response is received during this time, it proceeds with approval on the case. (If the individual actually has a record, it is reported to the INS and the appropriate response is undertaken.)_ The new system will enable the FBI to provide INS with an affirmative response on each and every case (whether there is a record or not) and INS will only approve cases once a response is received. _All pending applications will remain on hold until the system is functional and approvals will only be issued once the FBI provides INS offices with confirmation of the absence of a record for each applicant.
___ Reportedly the halt is based upon recent events in the NY District office which were reported in the NY Times last week:_ A person with a security issue was approved for permanent residence. As a result, the Attorney General has determined that the FBI system is unacceptable and must be changed so that an affirmative response is submitted to the INS regarding each record check. _
___ Once the FBI has modified their system, and begins issuing the affirmative responses, approvals of benefits applications will resume. _There may be no notification of the resumption of services, but we will become aware of the processing of applications when approvals begin to appear again. _In all likelihood, INS will be unable to comply with original processing estimates for all Adjustment of Status applications due to this delay and the implementation of the new procedure.
___ Reportedly the halt is based upon recent events in the NY District office which were reported in the NY Times last week:_ A person with a security issue was approved for permanent residence. As a result, the Attorney General has determined that the FBI system is unacceptable and must be changed so that an affirmative response is submitted to the INS regarding each record check. _
___ Once the FBI has modified their system, and begins issuing the affirmative responses, approvals of benefits applications will resume. _There may be no notification of the resumption of services, but we will become aware of the processing of applications when approvals begin to appear again. _In all likelihood, INS will be unable to comply with original processing estimates for all Adjustment of Status applications due to this delay and the implementation of the new procedure.