FBI Namecheck Bottleneck - A suggested solution

[sandeepjainmd]

Hello,

ImmigrationVoice has identified FBI namecheck to be an important bottleneck. In my opinion, we need to address this issue not simply by complaining about it, but by providing a possible solution. One always comes across more credible if there is a proposed solution as part of identified issues.

I think we should propose that the FBI charge each I-485 primary applicant $ 100/- for Namechecks. All derivative applicant Namechecks will be included in this fee.

The $ 100 fee can be used by FBI to hire more people and to make the system more efficient. We should not ask them to cut corners as Namechecks are important to secure the country. We do understand the importance of namechecks and want to share the costs involved so that process becomes efficient and responsive to customers.

[gcformeornot]

Originally Posted by sandeepjainmd

Hello,

ImmigrationVoice has identified FBI namecheck to be an important bottleneck. In my opinion, we need to address this issue not simply by complaining about it, but by providing a possible solution. One always comes across more credible if there is a proposed solution as part of identified issues.

I think we should propose that the FBI charge each I-485 primary applicant $ 100/- for Namechecks. All derivative applicant Namechecks will be included in this fee.

The $ 100 fee can be used by FBI to hire more people and to make the system more efficient. We should not ask them to cut corners as Namechecks are important to secure the country. We do understand the importance of namechecks and want to share the costs involved so that process becomes efficient and responsive to customers.

Have you read entire namecheck process? Most of it is automated checks(computers). Only 10% can not get thr' automated tests, so they stuck.
Why tax 90% others who will go thr' with in 2 months....

[sandeepjainmd]

Collective action and collective pain is the only way to ensure success. Even if it is true that only 10% I-485 applicants may actually gain from an efficient system that taxes everyone.

The point is that nobody knows who will be part of the unfortunate 10% that get stuck in the FBI namecheck process.

It is like buying an insurance policy. Not everyone who has automobile insurance gets into an accident. Not everyone who has home insurance will have a destructive fire in the house. However, everyone gains.

Collectively, we can propose a way that can make a difference in removing the bottleneck. It is important to suggest possible solutions to identified problems.

In the end what matters is what you can do, individually. As one great US president once said "ask not what the country can do for you, ask what you can do for the country". My suggestion is in the same spirit. We should not just limit ourselves to asking what the bureaucracy should do.

[logiclife]

Originally Posted by gcformeornot

Have you read entire namecheck process? Most of it is automated checks(computers). Only 10% can not get thr' automated tests, so they stuck.
Why tax 90% others who will go thr' with in 2 months....

The number of people stuck in namechecks for a long long long long time is much higher than 10%. Read the latest CIS Ombudsman report.

FBI namecheck is done today with $2 that USCIS pays FBI to do it. $2 per namecheck.

We are all for increasing the fees to increase performance. No one is against it. The problem is that even if you give more money to FBI, more money doesnt automatically translate into more people and more training for more people. Sadly, it takes years to put money to use.

Even the decision to increase fees takes forever. Look how long USCIS took to increase the fees for their various petitions.

[sandeepjainmd]

I agree that there can be no definite assurances about performance improvements and the lead time could be long. There are no guarantees in life and thats a fact. All we can do is to try our best to create the most favorable enviornment for desired outcomes.

However, I do not agree that it will take a very long time for fee increase to be implemented. For the USCIS fee increase, it was a decision the USCIS made and had to sell it to the public and congress. Implicit in these procedures is an assumption that people are usually against fee increases, therefore such fee increase decisions take long.

The difference here is that we will be voluantarily (more than willingly) asking the USCIS and FBI to charge us for namechecks. The USCIS already charges us for Fingerprinting. So charging for namechecks is not an outrageous or a novel thing to do. I doubt that it would take very long for people to accept a fee that is being actively offered.

[Libra]

please go to following link and poll

http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/sh...ad.php?t=12628 (Catch a Ride on the BUS to DC (MA,VT,ME,RI,NH,CT))

[ArunAntonio]

Cant make it to the DC rally?
Sponsor someone else to represent you.

Please vote -- > http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/sh...ad.php?t=12441

[pappu]

We are lobbying for making the system efficient. But the first and formost task is to come for the rally and make it successful. Once we can make this rally successful we will be in a better position to get changes done.

[gcpadmavyuh]

Guys,
I am sure we can come up with more and more suggestions on improving the effiiciency of the broken Immigration system. The Ombudsman's annual report has tons of great ideas that would do just the same. However, how do you think we should we go about influencing the law makers to implement it? Having a great idea is one thing and actually working through the system to influence is another.

In America influence works through lobbying and voicing our concerns - Sept 18th Rally is exactly what we need now.

Please make the rally a huge success by being present in DC on Sept 18th.

If you can not personally make it, there are tons of other ways to contribute... check it out. http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/sh...ad.php?t=12441 (Let's Partner to Increase Attendance!)

GO IV! GO rally!

Hope to see you in DC at the Sept 18th rally!

Originally Posted by sandeepjainmd

Hello,

ImmigrationVoice has identified FBI namecheck to be an important bottleneck. In my opinion, we need to address this issue not simply by complaining about it, but by providing a possible solution. One always comes across more credible if there is a proposed solution as part of identified issues.

I think we should propose that the FBI charge each I-485 primary applicant $ 100/- for Namechecks. All derivative applicant Namechecks will be included in this fee.

The $ 100 fee can be used by FBI to hire more people and to make the system more efficient. We should not ask them to cut corners as Namechecks are important to secure the country. We do understand the importance of namechecks and want to share the costs involved so that process becomes efficient and responsive to customers.

[gcpadmavyuh]

Hi Guys,
How about a fun filled trip for you, your family and friends to DC from your place, while you help yourselves get GC faster? All this at virtually little or no cost to you?

Sounds too good to believe?
Not really! Check it out!!

Sign up now!!

Ride the bus to Dc from the Tri State Area
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12567
Catch a Ride on the BUS to DC (MA,VT,ME,RI,NH,CT)
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12628
Catch a Ride on the BUS to DC (MN, WI,IL,OH,PA etc)
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/sh...ad.php?t=12599 (Catch a Ride on the BUS to DC (MN, WI,IL,OH,PA etc))
The magic bus from NC/SC/GA/North FL and anything en route
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/sh...ad.php?t=12632 (The magic bus from NC/SC/GA/ FL and anything en route)
Sit back and enjoy the ride!!

Originally Posted by gcpadmavyuh

Guys,
I am sure we can come up with more and more suggestions on improving the effiiciency of the broken Immigration system. The Ombudsman's annual report has tons of great ideas that would do just the same. However, how do you think we should we go about influencing the law makers to implement it? Having a great idea is one thing and actually working through the system to influence is another.

In America influence works through lobbying and voicing our concerns - Sept 18th Rally is exactly what we need now.

Please make the rally a huge success by being present in DC on Sept 18th.

If you can not personally make it, there are tons of other ways to contribute... check it out. http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/sh...ad.php?t=12441 (Let's Partner to Increase Attendance!)

GO IV! GO rally!

Hope to see you in DC at the Sept 18th rally!

[sounakc]

From 2002 onwards US univs imposed a fee of 50$ per student per sem for some kind of name check. Now I dont know whether its done by FBI or INS. But it may be a good idea to integrate this information and if possible use that for the future process. That might reduce some backlogs as it will eliminate those applicants who went to a US univ.

cheers

sounak

[plassey]

My simple and naive solution is that give people conditional green cards contingent upon FBI name check clearing. Then whether it takes a year or 10 years , it will not matter.
Once the name check gets clear simply remove the conditional status,

[sureshj]

Originally Posted by gcformeornot

Have you read entire namecheck process? Most of it is automated checks(computers). Only 10% can not get thr' automated tests, so they stuck.
Why tax 90% others who will go thr' with in 2 months....

That % is much higher now. USCIS has increased the search parameters from 1 to I believe it is 8 now. It has gone from "John Doe" to "Doe John", "Jo Doe", "John Do" and likewise. So the chances your name will generate a hit is much higher.
Thus far "lack of funds/resources" has emerged as the only reason for the NC delays. A less attributed reason has been siloed NC databases adding to the processing time. That again can be fixed with more funding. USCIS has been clever to increase fees for processes that concern them, but left the NC program on the wayside because the delays actually benefits them (EAD/AP renewals fees adds to their bank balance, not FBI). So fee increase or contributing specifically for the NC program will actually hitting the right target. In this thread someone had mentioned the delay in getting something like this off to ground. I agree instituting this as law might take some time, but recruiting and training FBI analysts will not. I quote a lawyer who interfaces with USCIS - "junior or rookie analysts are assigned to the NC program and it easy to recruit new analysts. However lack of funds and the fact that the NC program is low on their priority list are the main factors for the delay".
Now how do we push this idea towards implementation is the challenge. Contacting lobbyist will work if we have contacts. I think picking various methods to bring this to their attention might have (at some point) a desire effect.
A few ideas:
1. Banners and placards during the Sept 18th rally "expressing our intend to contribute to the NC program"
2. Send $10 or $50 checks directly to FBI for the NC program (don't address it to Mike Cannon. He might pocket it and not do anything about it), with a copy of the letter to Emilio at USCIS (on an agreed upon date so that they get deluged), and possibly contact some media to create awareness like the flower campaign.
3. Generate a standard letter on IV that talks about the hopeless years we endure waiting for NC to clear and express our intention to contribute to ease the delays. IV members and members from other forums (more the better) should print out copies and again mail on an agreed upon date directly to Mike Cannon at FBI with a copy to Emilio at USCIS and possibly others like George Bush, etc.
4. Rallies in all the major cities in front of USCIS & FBI offices on the same date

All these might be like banging our heads against a wall, but in communication theory they say "pick a message and focus all your efforts/resources...and you will see change".

[sandeepjainmd]

I agree with Sureshi regarding the need to have a focus. We must focus on a easy to understand problem and an easy to understand solution.

The FBI namechecks will NEVER be a priority for either the USCIS or the FBI. What would the people of US rather have the FBI do - Namecheck people about to board an international flight into the US or Namecheck I-485 applicants to cut short their wait for green cards. The answer is a no brainer.

Also US people will appreciate if we provide solutions to problems rather than just complaining and whining about waiting too long for green cards.

We pay thousands of dollars to the attorneys and thousands to USCIS. It is a joke that we are willing to tolerate a $ 2/- per applicant FBI namecheck bottleneck.

[HV000]

Already we pay more in high fees in filing I-485!! Its upto USCIS to make the process efficient. Afterall, NAME CHECK is requested by USCIS.

Also, USCIS OMBUDSMAN has questioned the value of the namecheck.
Let's NOT pay more.