Dear Readers:

I’m starting to conclude that Eduardo Aguirre is a different kind of INS/USCIS director. In the past, USCIS directors apologized for poor processing times, made lofty promises about improvements and then presided over slower and slower service.

Certainly, as in the past, Aguirre and the Administration have promised improved times. In fact, a six-month turnaround time on all applications is the specific promise. But will the agency deliver? The first hint that the USCIS is really serious about delivering on this promise was delivered this week with the announcement of a new program to complete processing of adjustment applications at the Dallas USCIS District Office within 90 days. This, of course, is lightning fast compared to the years it takes to process these applications elsewhere. So fast is this time that it won’t even be necessary to issue Employment Authorization Documents or Advance Parole travel documents since these are designed to make life easier when applications drag on.

Everyone wins here. The USCIS wins because it will cut the overall workload it handles by not having to handle work and travel documents. And, of course, the customer receives expeditious service. Let’s hope this pilot program is successful and is quickly extended nationwide. This week we cover the pilot program in our ABCs of Immigration article.

In firm news, Siskind Susser attorneys have been on the lecture circuit. Arda Beskardes spoke at a training program for Tennessee foreign student advisors. And I spoke at the Member Bar Association’s Champion Series. I was selected as a “Champion of Marketing” mainly due to interest in our firm’s Internet success story. Believe it or not, our web site will turn ten years old in June and my talk was largely an evaluation of what we’ve learned in a decade.

Finally, as always, we remind readers that we're lawyers who make our living representing immigration clients and employers seeking to comply with immigration laws. We would love to discuss becoming your law firm. Just go to http://www.visalaw.com/intake.html to request an appointment or call us at 800-748-3819 or 901-682-6455.

Regards,

Greg Siskind