"Crisis Level" USCIS Processing Times Under the Trump Administration
The American Immigration Lawyer Association (AILA) has determined that USCIS is processing cases 91% slower than it did in fiscal year 2014 as the average case processing time went from just under 5 months (FY 2014) to about 9.5 months (FY 2018). Based on the data, AILA has further concluded that the increased processing time for 94% of the Forms is not due to an increased caseload. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in its report to Congress for April 2018 showed a backlog of 2.3 million cases- thought to be the largest backlog.
AILA's solution would be to eliminate any "invisible wall" policies, increased congressional oversight and USCIS transparency.
One U.S. Representative, Elijah Cummings (MD-D), Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, is already taking action on the Report by formerly questioning the Immigration Services Ombudsman, Julie Kirchner; he has requested specific documents (including communications "prioritizing certain categories of casework over others" and communications between Kirchner and the Federation for American Immigration Reform ) and a committee staff briefing. USCIS has said that it has responded by hiring additional workers, expanding its processing centers, and instituting internal reforms.
Depending on your case, you may want to consider hiring an immigration attorney to help avoid any necessary delays. Attorney Rebecca Carcagno practices immigration law and provides a free consultation. You may schedule one here.
***Please keep in mind that this blog posting is for educational purposes only (i.e., to give you general information and a general understanding of this immigration related matter); this blog posting does not provide specific legal advice and does not form an attorney-client relationship.***
Sources:
(1) https://www.aila.org/infonet/aila-policy-brief-uscis-processing-delays?utm_source=AILA+Mailing&utm_campaign=d60faf3e05-AILA8_2_07_19&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3c0e619096-d60faf3e05-292018061
(2) https://foxsanantonio.com/news/local/from-green-cards-to-visas-us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-processing-cases-sign
(3) https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/house-oversight-committee-chairman-wants-answers-legal-immigration-backlog-n968301?utm_source=AILA+Mailing&utm_campaign=d60faf3e05-AILA8_2_07_19&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3c0e619096-d60faf3e05-292018061
Rebecca Carcagno Rodriguez The Law Offices of Rebecca Carcagno, PLLC 3830 Packard St Suite 240 Ann Arbor, MI 48108
