Govt. plans to reduce processing times for immigrant background checks

[iv2000]

Para. 4

http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?cat=GENERAL&fn=/2007/08/09/735635.html

An outline of the announcement, obtained by The Associated Press from a congressional source, said the administration plans to expand the list of international gangs whose members are automatically denied admission to the U.S., reduce processing times for immigrant background checks, and install by the end of the year an exit system so the departure of foreigners from the country can be recorded at airports and seaports.

[dollar500]

This bill is mostly for aviation safety. It doesn't necessarily applies to immigrants who are applying for permanent residency.

[gcformeornot]

It has nothing to do with EB Immigration

[dollar500]

This bill is mostly for aviation safety. It doesn't necessarily applies to immigrants who are applying for permanent residency.

[InTheMoment]

And how may I ask you came to this conclusion?

Any reference, link would be helpful.


This bill is mostly for aviation safety. It doesn't necessarily applies to immigrants who are applying for permanent residency.

[Canadian_Dream]

Department of Homeland security (DHS) doesn't conduct background checks for Adjustment of Status cases. These are done by FBI which is a part of Department of Justice.This DHS announcement has nothing to do with background checks for AOS cases.

[bala50]

Department of Homeland security doesn't conduct background checks for Adjustment of Status cases. These are done by FBI which is a part of Department of Justice. This news will not be of any value to us.

DHS asks and pays FBI to do the checks. They can do a lot , to improve the situation.

[brb2]

It is too early to tell if it definitely refers to us, but it is more likely that this IS referring to EB and naturalization background checks. Reasoning is like this - Background checks are required by Department of State (DOS) for issuing Visas. Department of homeland security (DHS) under which USCIS comes is responsible for those within the US. Now background checks are not conducted for issuing H1B visa etc. They are only for EB/N-400. So it is more likely they are referring us. Secondly, just two months back USCIS announced that it is going through Ombudsman's report and would be preparing a response. Last month FBI's miller came out and suggested they are happy with main file checks (which take less than 2 days to come back automatically) and USCIS is insisting of doing reference file checks and they would be keen to work with USCIS to find ways of reducing backlog processing times. Some options included they way background checks are done, and also borrowing workers from USCIS for FBI's NNC unit. Finally, when the fee increase was announced USCIS mentioned some of the money would go to reduce processing times and FBI asked for increasing the name check fee from $2 to $9 which means now that the fees increase has been implemented more resources to reduce time may be implemented.

With scores of cases against USCIS and thousands of letters to congressmen and president and articles in NYT and WS Times, finally they may have realized that it is time they attended to the background check delays issue.

[HV000]

It is too early to tell if it definitely refers to us, but it is more likely that this IS referring to EB and naturalization background checks. Reasoning is like this - Background checks are required by Department of State (DOS) for issuing Visas. Department of homeland security (DHS) under which USCIS comes is responsible for those within the US. Now background checks are not conducted for issuing H1B visa etc. They are only for EB/N-400. So it is more likely they are referring us. Secondly, just two months back USCIS announced that it is going through Ombudsman's report and would be preparing a response. Last month FBI's miller came out and suggested they are happy with main file checks (which take less than 2 days to come back automatically) and USCIS is insisting of doing reference file checks and they would be keen to work with USCIS to find ways of reducing backlog processing times. Some options included they way background checks are done, and also borrowing workers from USCIS for FBI's NNC unit. Finally, when the fee increase was announced USCIS mentioned some of the money would go to reduce processing times and FBI asked for increasing the name check fee from $2 to $9 which means now that the fees increase has been implemented more resources to reduce time may be implemented.

With scores of cases against USCIS and thousands of letters to congressmen and president and articles in NYT and WS Times, finally they may have realized that it is time they attended to the background check delays issue.

Very good points. We should know more about this tomorrow. Hopefully they are referring to FB/EB IMMIGRATION.

[saimrathi]

Isnt this already in place in the form of US Visit (http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/editorial_0525.shtm)

Para. 4

http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?cat=GENERAL&fn=/2007/08/09/735635.html

An outline of the announcement, obtained by The Associated Press from a congressional source, said the administration plans to expand the list of international gangs whose members are automatically denied admission to the U.S., reduce processing times for immigrant background checks, and install by the end of the year an exit system so the departure of foreigners from the country can be recorded at airports and seaports.

[brb2]

I have copied the information from the link below. It clearly states DOS checks background overseas and DHS ensures the person entering is the same person who was issued the Visa. So, my point is that DHS is only responsible for conducting background checks for EB/N400 applicants only. Anyway we will know later today. Hopefully something good news after the chaos in the stock market:)



"In many cases, US-VISIT begins overseas, at the U.S. consular offices issuing visas, where visitors’ biometrics (digital fingerscans and photographs) are collected and checked against a database of known criminals and suspected terrorists. When the visitor arrives at the port of entry, we use the same biometrics – digital fingerscans – to verify the person at our port is the same person who received the visa."



Isnt this already in place in the form of US Visit (http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/editorial_0525.shtm)

[brb2]

The Administration Will Reform And Expedite Background Checks For Immigration. Current mechanisms for conducting immigration background checks are backed up, slowing processing times and endangering national security (finally!). The Administration is investing substantial new funds to address the backlog, and the FBI and USCIS are working together on a variety of projects designed to streamline existing processes so as to reduce waiting times without sacrificing security.


Full press release:


http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/08/20070810.html

[HV000]

The Administration Will Reform And Expedite Background Checks For Immigration. Current mechanisms for conducting immigration background checks are backed up, slowing processing times and endangering national security (finally!). The Administration is investing substantial new funds to address the backlog, and the FBI and USCIS are working together on a variety of projects designed to streamline existing processes so as to reduce waiting times without sacrificing security.


Full press release:


http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/08/20070810.html

They have not given a timeline for this reform. Hopefully they will a timeline for processing the cases.

[v7461558]

http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1186757867585.shtm item 22.

22. The Administration Will Reform And Expedite Background Checks For Immigration. Current mechanisms for conducting immigration background checks are backed up, slowing processing times and endangering national security. The Administration is investing substantial new funds to address the backlog, and the FBI and USCIS are working together on a variety of projects designed to streamline existing processes so as to reduce waiting times without sacrificing security.

Note that there is no "bill", the DHS is not talking about passing new laws through the Congress. They are talking about using their (and FBI's) existing administrative authority to streamline and expedite background checks. Note that the rule to search the secondary name indexes that was instituted after Sept. 11, 2001 was not a law. It was an interpretation by the DHS of the existing statute, yielding a request from the DHS to the FBI to provide the DHS with the information from the secondary index name search.

Now, if someone would please be so kind as to dig up the original text of the "following reforms [that] represent steps the Administration can take within the boundaries of existing law", released by the DHS on 10 August 2007, or to come up with a conclusion that said text has not yet been made publicly available, we can take this discussion further.