Immigration backlogs makes news headlines

Vik Pal said:
I'm trying to figure out whether USCIS can really do anything if the FBI doesn't clear the namecheck on time. Wouldn't they just sleep over the case and let FBI take it's own sweet time?
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Actually, that's EXACTLY what they would do. The FBI has 4 priority levels for their name check customers. The USCIS falls into level 3, which is "Government Agency - No Time Constraint". This means that the FBI is free to take as long as they want to process a name check, without receiving any pressure from the USCIS.
 
I think the percentage of new citizens that will vote in 2008 is low.
I think the percentage of non-citizens voting is much greater. :-(


from the article:
"Immigration application fees were raised in part so the agency could increase its work force. But the additional workers won't be on board in time to deal with the pileup. They are intended to be on board to adjudicate the applications."

The first 2 sentences are a sad truth, the last sentence I think is incomplete. I think the reporter should have added: "They are also hiring now to prepare for when the illegal aliens flood the system. 'We just haven't cared much about efficency until now' some suspect A.G. of saying behind closed doors 'But we go all out for people that break the law and make identity theft and Social Security number fraud a national sport.'"
 
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Jackolantern said:
USCIS is at fault because:
(1) they can choose to use other services instead of FBI to perform background checks. Which they actually do, since they use the IBIS and IDENT checks in addition to FBI (but those other checks only take minutes to days). If they need to do three checks, they should replace FBI checks with something more efficient.
(2) they can pressure the FBI more to complete the checks faster, but they don't. Notice how quickly the checks are completed when senators/congressmen/first lady gets involved.
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I completely agree with this statement. They have a responsibility to make sure that they are using the most efficient ways to clear these checks. If they are so concerned about National Security, the smart thing would be to eliminat the risk immediately, not to let it linger for years and just showing up to do fingerprints every 15 months. Be more informative to the applicant. They just see us all as a number that is the sad thing.
 
Jackolantern said:
USCIS is at fault because:
(1) they can choose to use other services instead of FBI to perform background checks. Which they actually do, since they use the IBIS and IDENT checks in addition to FBI (but those other checks only take minutes to days). If they need to do three checks, they should replace FBI checks with something more efficient.
(2) they can pressure the FBI more to complete the checks faster, but they don't. Notice how quickly the checks are completed when senators/congressmen/first lady gets involved.
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What you are suggesting can never happen. The anti-immigrant media hosts will scream aloud - "Outsourcing National Security". Any move to remove FBI from the security check process will obviously raise hell post Sept 11. I think Barack Obama had a proposal to expedite namcheck via legislation but I'm not sure what happened to it in the end.
 
Vik Pal said:
What you are suggesting can never happen. The anti-immigrant media hosts will scream aloud - "Outsourcing National Security". Any move to remove FBI from the security check process will obviously raise hell post Sept 11. I think Barack Obama had a proposal to expedite namcheck via legislation but I'm not sure what happened to it in the end.
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You have a point there but the sad thing is that private companies would do a much better job than the FBI right now. They would be much faster and more efficient.
 
frustrated_alot said:
You have a point there but the sad thing is that private companies would do a much better job than the FBI right now. They would be much faster and more efficient.
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The same efficiency argument was used in favor of pvt companies when overhauling Airport Screeners post 9/11. In the end Govt created a massive federal screening program because private agencies could not be trusted in security matters. Immigration process is in the same boat. Govt gets the final say on it as well.
 
newuscitizen said:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...toid=189cf48f42466110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD


15-18 months to process
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So much for hoping to vote in 2008. Interestingly, some posters who have filed at the end of June (Houston TX) have already completed the entire process (just under 5 months) ..once again proof of the discrepancy of processing times between district offices.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised is USCIS is increasing processing time to justify delays in name checks due to legal action in the past by applicants.
 
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This is so upsetting, we will be close to insanity by the end for having to deal with USCIS for 15- 18 months!
 
These two Daily Kos entries provide food for thought - especially the first one.I'd be interested to read any thoughts of posters here.

Perhaps now is the time to write letters of protest to Congressmen and Representatives. whether or not you believe there is anything political lurking in the background of this debacle, there's no doubt at all that the governmane tould, if it wanted to, do something to assist USCIS to speed up the processing. More $$$$$ !!


http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/11/22/182533/10

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/11/22/121216/83
 
I really think we all need to put serious pressure on our representatives and Senators. We need to let them know what this means to all of us on a personal level, but also that we want to join in the democratic process and vote in this election. I am goint to start this process.
 
Given the fact that such a huge backlog in delivering immigration benefits and inefficiency of USCIS despite of biggest fees increase in the history of this agency is pretty much on every media out there lately (in the last 4 days) like on CNN, MSNBC, FOX, New York Times, Los Angles Times, Washington Post, USA Today and other more, then I think and hope that USCIS might soon take drastic steps to address this problem especially when even Bush Administration is also being on alert on this matter now. I think the credit for all this should go to all those immigration advocacy groups/Organizations as they have raised their voices to media to let this mess be known.

However, given the history of this agency and inconsitence in making promises, I would still be skeptical for them to address this matter on priority basis. Thus, I think people should contact Congresspersons to raise their voice on this issue, but also write to media like Newspapers/TV...There is not much efforts needed to raise your voice on this matter with Congresspersons and media. Just a quick email would do the trick. Remember, we need commulative voice and efforts on this as we are all together on this...

Good luck...
 
I wonder why uscis released this future projection of 15-18 months. We already know that their monthly processing report is not really accurate.
 
Yes, agreed, Johnny Cash, the advocacy groups have helped. I suppose, though, they have also been instrumental in adding to the huge surge of applications, because they have been encouraging PRs to apply for citizenship so as to get their votes to count in 2008 - I don't blame them at all for that, of course. I just wish they had been able to organise it so that the load was spread over a longer period so we didn't get this silly situation now, or maybe they tried but people waited until the last minute to apply.

A lot of those in the backlog had been in the USA for many years without wishing to become citizens, but the advocacy groups have persuaded them to apply now - in time for the election - and the plan backfired and affected us all.

Yes, we should all write or e-mail anyone who seems likely to take notice, either in media or politics. I'll get onto it this weekend.
 
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