< back
 
 
NATURALIZATION PROCESS PROBLEMS MAKE INS A TARGET
The INS is coming under fire from all sides as a result of a perceived breakdown in the naturalization process. Immigration advocates have vocally been complaining about the marked slowdown in the processing of citizenship cases with estimates of a nearly 21 month national processing time average. Anti-immigration forces complain that the INS has not adequately addressed security concerns and is still naturalizing criminals. The INS contends that it is doing the best it can in light of a 75% increase in the number of naturalization applicants in just a year's period.
The INS did, however, recently announced that it will take a number of steps to address the problems. The INS recently released a summary of quality assurance procedures the agency is implementing:
- Creation of a new INS Office of Naturalization Operations designed to "strengthen the integrity of the naturalization system and improve customer service." The new office if planning to fully automate and standardize naturalization procedures across the country by next summer. The INS believes it can meet its six month target for adjudicating citizenship applications when 80 offices are online with the new system. It also believes automation will guaranteeing that the fingerprint check process is complete.
- Each INS office is developing its own plan for reducing the backlog in naturalization applications. Roving processing times will move around the country to assist local offices in meeting their needs. INS headquarters will also make overtime funds available.
- A nationwide automated system will be put in place to process naturalization applications. Currently local offices use a variety of computer and manual systems to process these applications. A fully automated, uniform system should make it easier to increase speed and efficiency. This program, called CLAIMS 4.0 will be in place by Spring 1998.
- In a highly controversial move, the INS plans to do its own fingerprinting in citizenship application cases. Currently, businesses and organizations can become certified by the INS to take fingerprints. The certification program, which has only been in place a short time, was preceded by a system where fingerprints could be obtained from any source. When this measure was leaked, critics were quick to condemn the measure as being one that could cause the current average two year nationwide backlog to increase substantially. According to Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican from Florida, the backlog could grow to four years under this proposal. Congress recently attempted to pass legislation to The INS has recently purchased 43 TouchPrint 600 live-scan fingerprint machines for more than $2.5 million. Pilot programs using the machines are scheduled to start October 1st in Miami, Baltimore and Arlington, Virginia. Nationwide implementation is scheduled for April 1st. 
- Transferring all responsibility for applications to the four regional INS service centers. Applications will be submitted by direct mail to the centers. The INS, which has been using this program for four district offices, expects this program to be in place nationwide by April 1998.
- The INS plans to use the Internet and toll-free telephone service to make naturalization processing information more readily available to the public. The INS will make naturalization application forms available on its web site (though we remind readers that we have had the forms available on our site for free downloading for more than six months - go to http://www.visalaw.com/forms). The expanded Internet site should be ready by Spring 1998.
- The INS plans to double the fee for naturalization to $200 and charge $30 for fingerprints. INS Commissioner Meissner came under fire recently when this news was leaked and promised that the INS will not increase its fees until she is personally satisfied that significant improvement in service has been achieved.
- The INS is using independent consulting firm KPMG Peat Marwick to audit the training and performance of naturalization personnel.
- The INS is working with consulting firm Coopers & Lybrand LLP to develop and implement a long-term re-engineering effort. The first phase of this work is scheduled to be completed soon.
< Back | Next >
Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.