Immigration Line

Processing times update:

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Tue, 22 May 2007 20:24:00 +0000

All service centers updated processing times (date May 18, 2007, published today):

Open letter in support of immigration reform

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Tue, 08 May 2007 18:42:00 +0000

Leading technology companies issued an open letter to Congress asking to take steps towards immigration reform, do not hold legal immigration because of illegal immigration compromises and streamline the process of bringing talent to US in order to stay competitive.
Full text can be found here:
http://www.competeamerica.org/hill/letter_congress/letter_5-7-07.pdf

Yet another name check story

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Thu, 03 May 2007 15:26:00 +0000

On NPR now.
Full text.

Blind person, who came to the country more than 15 years ago had problems clearing name check for 2 years and had to file a lawsuit.

Some people took different avenue to clean name check: newspaper

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Wed, 02 May 2007 16:10:00 +0000

Chicago Tribune article

THE PROBLEM

Promila Mehta and Stanislaw Makarewicz passed their naturalization tests, but years later they had not been sworn in as U.S. citizens.

THE SOLUTION

Tuesday morning, both took an oath to their new country.

Processing times updates

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 19:56:00 +0000

All service centers updated processing times (date April 18, 2007, published today):

SKIL Act of 2007 introduced

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 19:33:00 +0000

SKIL bill of 2007 was introduced to Senate and House.
Senate: [S.1083.IS] (Apr, 10 2007, Sen. Cronyn)
House:[H.R.1930.IH](Apr, 18 2007, Mr. Shadegg)

While granting a lot of relief for filing permanent residence and receiving work visas this bill potentially leaves unattended a very serious problem of name check clearance. More over it removes any known ways to influence agencies involved in name check processing by making any lawsuit meaningless. In other proposed bill, STRIVE 2007 , there is a special section 208 that imposes time limits and requires explanation of delays from the agencies. Citizen Promotion Act of 2007 also has a section 5 dedicated to streamlining of name check processing.

Attempt to get immigration news aggregator

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 22:23:00 +0000

I just put together new aggregator based on Y! Pipes and Dapper. You can check it out right HERE.
Just enter search criteria in the text box (like "H-1B" or "fbi" or leave it empty to get all recent postings).

Let me know if you liked it or have ideas on improvement.

URL is: http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/pipe.info?_id=gH48BHvv2xGOTe6JyjUFzw

September? Really?

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:29:00 +0000

"Ninety seven percent of applicants are cleared in less than six months, Gonzalez said, but three percent get stuck in name check limbo. The situation has led thousands to sue Gonzalez's agency.

Gonzalez is negotiating with the FBI on ways to speed the process as early as September. One solution: his agency may pay the FBI more money and provide trained clerks to cut back on delays."

Full text at KRT Wire

Backgound Check Service.

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:53:00 +0000

"In order to expedite the process, the USCIS has proposed the addition of a new system of records entitled “Background Check Service.”

“The Background Check Service would allow authorized USCIS representatives to request background checks and access the data stored in the Background Check Service during the adjudication process,” said Ganchan.

However, the ultimate usefulness of this proposal in resolving long delays is difficult to predict. “Even so,” says Ganchan,” those whose careers and families have been impacted by this background check ‘black hole’ would welcome a mechanism to improve efficiency and communication.” Unfortunately, the government has delayed implementation of the program itself after having promised that it would be in place during the first quarter of 2007."

from LawFuel

Creative counting game?

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 03:35:00 +0000

From USCIS Ombudsman Report:
"As of May 2006, USCIS reported 235,802 name checks pending, with approximately 65% (153,166) of those cases pending more than 90 days and approximately 35% (82,824) pending more than one year."

But according to Emilio González -- director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published in Miami Herald:

"Before issuing a green card or swearing in a naturalized U.S. citizen, González's agency needs a green light from the FBI that the immigrant is not a terrorist or a criminal. Tens of thousands of applications are now delayed waiting for the FBI to complete the background checks.

Ninety-seven percent of applicants are cleared in less than six months, González said, but 3 percent get stuck in name-check limbo. The situation has led thousands to sue González's agency."

So which numbers are right? 97% in less than 6 month? Or 35% pending more than a year?

Aytes Memo on FBI Name Checks

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 19:58:00 +0000

Memo full text

May Visa Bulletin

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 18:49:00 +0000

May Visa Bulletin
EB3 World/Philippines jumped one year.
No changes in EB - India and Chine.
EB-Other Worker in Unavailable.

In the news: Name Check Stories

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 18:26:00 +0000

Waiting for the G-Men

Understanding The FBI Name Check Policy That Is Causing ...

Name-Check Game

Some waiting indefinitely for citizenship

Application stuck in Name Check process - what can I do?

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 18:24:00 +0000

Here is one suggestion to consider:
Suggestion

Support for Senator Obama's Citizenship Promotion Act

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 18:17:00 +0000

Petition in support for Senator Obama's new proposal can be found and signed here:
Petition Full Text.

CIS Ombudsman: Priorities for Fiscal Year 2007

noreply@blogger.com (vth) — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 17:44:00 +0000

1. Recommending Solutions to Systemic Issues that Continue to Cause Individual Case Problems
2. Expanding Up-Front Processing Programs
3. Addressing USCIS Fundamental Budget Issues
4. Reviewing Processing Delays Caused by USCIS Security Screening
5. Improving USCIS Customer Service and Communications

Full Report