Slightly OT: Changes in naturalization procedure
Apr 26th 2006, 4:46 pm
#1
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Slightly OT: Changes in naturalization procedure
Anyone else heard about these changes in the naturalization procedure?
Changes Aim to Speed Immigration Cases
Lawyers say it's not uncommon for [naturalization] cases to be delayed for years, particularly for people from the Middle East, even though immigration officials are supposed to rule on naturalization petitions within 120 days after interviews.
To call attention to the problem, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee was coordinating an effort by 40 attorneys to file federal court petitions on behalf of dozens of immigrants starting Tuesday.Chris Bentley, a spokesman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, said Tuesday that "to avoid burdening the federal court with these cases," the agency would no longer schedule citizenship interviews until after background checks are complete.
The American-Arab [Anti-Discrimination] committee said it was disappointed with the procedural change, which would not eliminate delays, but make it impossible for immigrants to fight them.
Bentley said only about 1 percent of naturalization petitions are not ruled on within 120 days. About 450,000 people are naturalized yearly, he said.
So let me get this straight: USCIS is going to change the procedure because 1% of naturalization decisions are (possibly) improperly delayed, while 99% of them are done in a timely manner consistent with USCIS policy??
Unless, of course, USCIS is fibbing about this 1% amount; maybe it's actually much higher than that.
Thoughts??
~ Jenney
Changes Aim to Speed Immigration Cases
Lawyers say it's not uncommon for [naturalization] cases to be delayed for years, particularly for people from the Middle East, even though immigration officials are supposed to rule on naturalization petitions within 120 days after interviews.
To call attention to the problem, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee was coordinating an effort by 40 attorneys to file federal court petitions on behalf of dozens of immigrants starting Tuesday.Chris Bentley, a spokesman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, said Tuesday that "to avoid burdening the federal court with these cases," the agency would no longer schedule citizenship interviews until after background checks are complete.
The American-Arab [Anti-Discrimination] committee said it was disappointed with the procedural change, which would not eliminate delays, but make it impossible for immigrants to fight them.
Bentley said only about 1 percent of naturalization petitions are not ruled on within 120 days. About 450,000 people are naturalized yearly, he said.
So let me get this straight: USCIS is going to change the procedure because 1% of naturalization decisions are (possibly) improperly delayed, while 99% of them are done in a timely manner consistent with USCIS policy??
Unless, of course, USCIS is fibbing about this 1% amount; maybe it's actually much higher than that.
Thoughts??
~ Jenney
Apr 26th 2006, 6:58 pm
#2
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Re: Slightly OT: Changes in naturalization procedure
Maybe being a bit dim, but I don't really see the problem with it, either way, you ain't getting citizenship till after background check and an interview anyway, so why does it matter if you have the interview before or after the background check?
Apr 26th 2006, 7:28 pm
#3
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
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Re: Slightly OT: Changes in naturalization procedure
Originally Posted by Bob
Maybe being a bit dim, but I don't really see the problem with it, either way, you ain't getting citizenship till after background check and an interview anyway, so why does it matter if you have the interview before or after the background check?
Coz if they give you the interview, the clock starts ticking and they need to answer in 120 days. If they don't call you for interview, they can take as long as they want over it.
An agency with little accountability aiming for none. I don't know why they don't just close the doors and all go home.
Apr 26th 2006, 8:38 pm
#4
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Re: Slightly OT: Changes in naturalization procedure
Originally Posted by fatbrit
Coz if they give you the interview, the clock starts ticking and they need to answer in 120 days. If they don't call you for interview, they can take as long as they want over it.
An agency with little accountability aiming for none. I don't know why they don't just close the doors and all go home.
An agency with little accountability aiming for none. I don't know why they don't just close the doors and all go home.
