Hate to be the carrier of bad news but I thought I'd just share this with all of you.
Call it a "freeze", a "halt" or simply a "delay",
lots of people applying for adjustment of status,
naturalization and asylum have noticed something
is slowing down or stopping their valid applications
from being approved.
That "something" appears to be nothing more than
the FBI name/date of birth check on the G-325A
biographical form
According to a longstanding INS policy, if the
FBI does not respond within a certain number of
days, an application can be granted.
Now because of a November 13th INS memo an approval
cannot be issued until the FBI responds.
Reported by http://www.shusterman.com
And Sheela Murthy (http://www.murthy.com )reports as follows:
No General INS Processing Freeze
There have been recent rumors that INS has halted
adjudications "until further notice" while they implement
new security procedures. These new procedures are
discussed in our November 29, 2002 MurthyBulletin
article, Most Same-Day EADs and Advance Paroles End,
available on MurthyDotCom. On November 22, 2002,
Fujie Ohata, Assistant Commissioner, Service Center
Operations, confirmed that these rumors are inaccurate.
The truth is that some computer enhancements are
needed in order to implement the new procedures.
Specifically, it is necessary to obtain a definitive FBI
response when there has been an indication that a record
may exist, based upon an IBIS name check. The reason for
this change was the recent naturalization of an individual
with suspected ties to a terrorist organization.
While the enhancements are being installed, cases will
continue to be reviewed but final determinations on adjustment
of status (I-485) and naturalization will be held, pending the
final computer upgrade. This process is expected to last
approximately 1-2 weeks. There will be additional delays for
individuals who have an FBI "hit" based on the name check.
In that event, the case cannot be adjudicated for final
decision until the FBI makes a determination as to whether
the applicant matches the person in their files. The delays
will not have any impact upon nonimmigrant petitions (such as
Hs and Ls) or on immigrant petitions (I-130, I-140, I-360).
These cases will continue to be subject to existing IBIS
procedures.
Call it a "freeze", a "halt" or simply a "delay",
lots of people applying for adjustment of status,
naturalization and asylum have noticed something
is slowing down or stopping their valid applications
from being approved.
That "something" appears to be nothing more than
the FBI name/date of birth check on the G-325A
biographical form
According to a longstanding INS policy, if the
FBI does not respond within a certain number of
days, an application can be granted.
Now because of a November 13th INS memo an approval
cannot be issued until the FBI responds.
Reported by http://www.shusterman.com
And Sheela Murthy (http://www.murthy.com )reports as follows:
No General INS Processing Freeze
There have been recent rumors that INS has halted
adjudications "until further notice" while they implement
new security procedures. These new procedures are
discussed in our November 29, 2002 MurthyBulletin
article, Most Same-Day EADs and Advance Paroles End,
available on MurthyDotCom. On November 22, 2002,
Fujie Ohata, Assistant Commissioner, Service Center
Operations, confirmed that these rumors are inaccurate.
The truth is that some computer enhancements are
needed in order to implement the new procedures.
Specifically, it is necessary to obtain a definitive FBI
response when there has been an indication that a record
may exist, based upon an IBIS name check. The reason for
this change was the recent naturalization of an individual
with suspected ties to a terrorist organization.
While the enhancements are being installed, cases will
continue to be reviewed but final determinations on adjustment
of status (I-485) and naturalization will be held, pending the
final computer upgrade. This process is expected to last
approximately 1-2 weeks. There will be additional delays for
individuals who have an FBI "hit" based on the name check.
In that event, the case cannot be adjudicated for final
decision until the FBI makes a determination as to whether
the applicant matches the person in their files. The delays
will not have any impact upon nonimmigrant petitions (such as
Hs and Ls) or on immigrant petitions (I-130, I-140, I-360).
These cases will continue to be subject to existing IBIS
procedures.
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