State Department Requests Posts Re-submit Security Clearance Requests

Over the past few months, we have heard from numerous individuals around the world stuck outside the US waiting for security clearances in order to enter the US . Most of the time, the checks take just a few weeks. But we are receiving persistent reports of delays of months and consulates appear to have little information to offer applicants to explain the delays. That is because the State Department submits requests for security clearances to the FBI in the United States and consular offices can do little to speed the process.

While the State Department has not admitted that there may be a problem, the American Immigration Lawyers Association is reporting that the State Department's Visa Office is instructing posts to re-submit security clearance requests for cases submitted on or before August 15, 2002 that have not yet been cleared. AILA is advising immigration lawyer members of the association to contact consular posts and request security clearance re-submissions if they have not already occurred.

 

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