May 16, 2002

Backlogs at INS Grow due to Security Checks

As we reported on April 24, 2002, the INS has begun performing new security checks on all currently pending and new petitions with the exception of N-400 petitions. The INS has ordered that applications be checked against the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS). This system accesses information supplied by federal agencies such as the INS, U.S. Customs Service, and the FBI on the criminal and immigration histories of individuals. At the time these checks were implemented, the INS said it could not assess how these security checks might affect processing times.

It has now become increasingly clear that these security checks are increasing processing times. Processing times appear to have reached a slow crawl as immigration practitioners and applicants find their applications sitting at various Service Centers and INS offices while the INS attempts to process these applications and complete the security checks. According to a Washington Post article, INS officials have acknowledged that the processing of applications has "ground to a halt" in an number of INS offices. This is due to the fact that many of the INS offices have not received the training to use the security database or do not have enough computers that have access to the system. For example, there are no computers with IBIS access at the INS office in Hartford, Connecticut and the New York District office only has one computer that is able to access IBIS to process the over 1,000 new applications that arrive daily. The INS is said to be working on supplying the needed computers and training.

With regards to the backlog of cases, premium processing cases seem to be faring the best. It appears the INS is still working to get those cases processed within the fifteen day deadline. However, for the majority of other cases, it appears the backlog of applications continues to grow as the INS tries to supply the required computers and training to implement these security checks.

GT will provide updates as they become available.