April 28, 2006

USCIS Issues Security Clearance Fact Sheet

USCIS has issued a Fact Sheet regarding its continuing use of immigration security checks and to address concerns raised. USCIS affirms its use of criminal and national security checks for all applicants (regardless of ethnicity, national origin or religion) who apply for a specific immigration benefit. The clearances are done largely to ensure the applicant is indeed eligible for the benefit sought as well as to enhance national security. The clearances are done primarily through the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS) Name Check, FBI Fingerprint Check, and FBI Name Check. No benefits are approved until all clearances are complete and the applicant is deemed approvable, regardless of the timeframe required. USCIS acknowledges extreme delays during some security checks, although the majority are cleared without incident. GT will continue to provide updates and information as they become available.