Thank you USCIS employees! I agree with what has been said by the Director. With the huge increase in petitions, the USCIS has done its best to stay on top of it. The task is a monumental undertaking. I submitted an I-130 for my wife in November 2007, and though I have only gotten a receipt - at least I know her petition is being worked on. I have called the USCIS twice now, and each time I was treated with respect and dignity. And the officers I talked too, did everything they could to reassure me. The wait has not been easy for any of us. But, it has not been easy for the families of these USCIS employees either. We all owe them a huge thank you, for giving up some of their lives in the evenings and early mornings, so they could help us.

Robert and Wilfe Allen

March 21, 2008 1:24 PM

Give me a break, I applied on March and haven't even got my interview notification yet. All the INS people I talked to are unsympathetic and won't do anything to help. Quoting guidelines that they can't do anything until the published processing date is one month pass mine. They should be ashamed of themselves.

March 21, 2008 1:40 PM

I agree with what has been said by the Director, but this is what i think:-
Those application filed last summer whose EB (visa nos) remained current since August 2007 should be identified and approved at the earliest and not put in the queue along with other EB cat which are retro.

Jack

March 21, 2008 1:42 PM

The USCIS has many fine and dedicated employees. One of them is the Agent who advised me as she completed my Citizenship Interview way back early in 2006, to request a "hearing" before a judge if they didn't schedule my swearing-in ceremony within 120 days as required by United States law.

Unfortunately, I chose to go with my deep faith in the fairness and effectiveness of this nation's government, in waiting patiently this long since then, with no result. I cannot check the status of my case on the Case Status Online, because you have deleted it to convey the false impression that the case is complete. You don't tell me where my file is stuck. When I write to you, I get replies that show that my letter was not even read; once I had to go to CIS because a letter falsely told me I had to fill some form, when it was just that the "agent did not delete that checked box when they sent you the letter". I have had to take time off work and go visit CIS every 2 months, to be told in increasingly rude and callous and contemptuous terms that my file is "pending". Meanwhile, Dr. Gonzalez has unleashed his taxpayer-funded lawyers to obstruct law-abiding applicants who DO petition for a hearing to make Gonzalez observe the laws of the United States that he continues to disregard so callously.

It is precisely bureaucrats like Dr. Emilio Gonzalez that give outfits like the New York Times ample credibility in the eyes of readers as they slam the incredible clumsiness of their management. Happy retirement, Mr. Golzalez. I am sure you will be missed - by someone.

I see that you don't dare allow free comment on your BLOG, despite your claims of demonstrating to new citizens the best qualities of American openness and free speech. Figures, doesn't it?

March 21, 2008 2:05 PM

well this make a huge impact in term of immigration speed things up and i also agree what has bes said by the director,but what is happeing whith people that are waiting for they green card since 2001 almost 7 8 years people are dying family are crying for the love one and yet we still here paying tax living crying for our love ones in some case people need to go back for organ transplant and they cant help they love one insted build fence upgrade laws that doenst help the system why not take one at each time and solve the issue and create a system that help the immigrant people a system where people can live a life here without worrys where people can spend the money here but happy as we all know the immigrants people spend more money on just about everything wht cars,houses company providing new jobs for others,maybe this just be a way to solve or economic problem thank ANDRE SILVA

March 21, 2008 2:08 PM

While I do not doubt that USCIS employees work hard, the handling of the surge of N-400s has been utterly shameful. That is a management failure by USCIS, and they clearly did not anticipate the surge in N-400 cases, whatever claims the outgoing Director chooses to make.

While I hope that the Service meets the Director's prediction that half of all those who filed last summer will be citizens by this September, that still means that more than 700,000 people who filed more than 14 months prior to the election will be disenfranchised by management incompentence at USCIS.

Again, I thank the efforts of the USCIS staff, but I am appalled to read such self-serving statements by Director Gonzalez. The people who filed last summer deserve better than 50% service.

GH, San Francisco

March 21, 2008 2:12 PM

First Mr. Robert
you turned your I-130 application in on November 2007, I turned my N-400 on Jan 2007 and I am still waiting. Morever, there are apllications that have been pending for a period even longer than mine. I do not believe the staff at the USCIS service centers are not working hard. On the contrary, the problem was, and still is, the fact that they were/are not enough people to do the job. This report says that 3,000 employees will join the agency by the close of this year. By the end of this year, I would have waited 2 years. Employing agency staff takes time especialy due to required training. It is the responsibility to the administrators to evaluate the agencies capability and act accordingly.
And by the way, what about the thousands of applications that are stuck in fbi name checks for years. It seems the plan does not include them. THey have been officially classified as second class applications. And as much as the USCIS tries to pin the blame on the FBI, we all know that the USCIS is responsible for the duration of the checks because they requested it and they are paying for it through the application fees. The FBI can only employ based on the amount they are getting from the USICS.

They truth is clear for all who wish to see it.

March 21, 2008 2:12 PM

Thank you Mr. Gonzalez for all you've done to USCIS. I have been able to see the improvements since I started in my immigration process in 2004. Although the wait for us applicants is frustrating at times, I understand the efforts USCIS employees are making and how the system has improved. I stand behind you and your employees and feel sorry that USCIS will loose you soon.

CF

March 21, 2008 2:18 PM

Well said. Tough I was part of employment based immigration petitioner who filed Adjustment of Status (I485), i greatly appreciate the work done my USCIS in sending the receipts, subsequent employment authorization and travel documents in a record time in spite of huge load. Appreciate your efforts and hope to See many such improvements in coming days.

March 21, 2008 2:20 PM

Thank you Mr.Gonzalez. I kindly request you to look into our "Administrative Fixes" proposal for Employment Based Permanent Residency Process aka. the Green Card process. We have hundreds and thousands of legal, highly skilled, tax paying and law abiding immigrants such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, technology professionals who are waiting for an average of four years or more in the queue and respectfully request your good office to look into our proposals.

Our best wishes to the thousands of hard working individuals at USCIS.


Immigration Voice
www.immigrationvoice.org

March 21, 2008 2:22 PM

I am one of the citizenship applicants who filed for citizenship in late June of 2007. Despite my expectation of a very long delay, I have already received a letter of invitation from the local USCIS office to take a citizenship interview and exam in May of this year. After talking with senators and congressmen from my state and watching the hearings in the house, I assumed I would not be able to become a US citizen in time to participate in presidential elections this year. However, hardworking staff of USCIS proved me wrong. This much earlier than expected letter made me incredibly happy.

A major newspaper like New York Times is expected to adhere to the higher standards of investigative journalism. We prefer reading fiction in books. My case is a living example of how hard the USCIS employees are working to reduce this incredible workload.

What's really absurd is to accuse the director of this government agency, who is a Cuban immigrant, of intentional disenfranchisement of Latino voters. As readers, we expect no more than common sense from such an important newspaper. The United States is a proud nation of immigrants. Deviating from facts not only insults hardworking employees of this important government agency, but also shows disrespect to us, the PEOPLE.

Dr. Devrim Eren

March 21, 2008 2:30 PM

Why did we pay higher fees? To make process efficient and be processed within 5 months. Is that happening; NO. On top of that, the process is highly non-transparent and there is no real way to check where in the process one is. I can't believe that USCIS comes and says that what times posted wasn't true. I think times was being nice to the USCIS!!! Had they anticipated the surge and put proper resources, things would have been different. And guess what, changing 16-18 months to 14-16 months processing is a marked improvement in USCIS language. What a joke....

March 21, 2008 2:30 PM

It is only common sense that it would take longer when so many extra applications have been applied for.

Don’t “rush through the process”. Do the background checks, etc. that need to be right.

The USA welcomes more immigrants than any other country, so I certainly do not feel bad about the wait time some may be subject too. We have to have an orderly process.

Don’t let The New York Times dictate your speed, or your process, because most Americans expect you to be thorough……..not speedy in this regard.

Thanks.

March 21, 2008 2:44 PM

then where is my approval? I sent my I-130 in April 2007 (11 months), and I-129F (K3 visa) in June 2007.. it took them 2 months just to send the I-130 notice.. and still not a decision.. gone through local office interview, director's expedite request... both my parents went to the local office interview, and the guy said he will approve within 10 days.. that was February 21..

March 21, 2008 2:45 PM

I'm glad you were treated well and your questions were answered. But this is not a matter of the USCIS employees working hard; It's a matter of the USCIS doing things wrong. Raising the prices in a ridiculous way but at the same time opening the window for countries like India and China that had been "closed" for years. That is the part that Mr. Gonzalez usually omits. If they were planning to increase the prices so much, why they didn't hire this people earlier? they had to hire them (and train them) way after they increased the fees. And all of us, who applied during or after the famous peak (which by the way is more than 1, there is one in june, one in july and one in august) have to wait paciently for things that should take less than 6 months and are going to take up to 3 times that!

March 21, 2008 3:00 PM

There is no question in our mind about the17,000 USCIS employees who are doing fantastic job.The irony is that, the idea of fee increase was to help process the applications faster but it had opposite effect.Because of wrongly increasing the fee without having clear plan for it.
This put the applicants and USCIS employees in same position. Applicants are under stress and employees are under pressure and both group have to deal with the back fire of increase.
At the end We owe Employees a lot for their hard working and facing the challenge they are not Creator of it.

March 21, 2008 3:05 PM

The article did not attack USCIS workforce, and reacting so defensively is only an transparent attempt to distract from the fact that the times criticizes the poor leadership of director Gonzales.

Nobody doubts that the USCIS workforce is working long hours, but they don't make any progress because of poor planning and total lack of leadership. It does not take 1-2 years to process a GC or a naturalization application. In fact it only takes a day or two to process the whole application. The applications are simply backlogged for years, sit on a pile and nothing happens.

Every year USCIS wastes visa numbers and the process is getting slower and slower. IOs are sending out pointless RFEs (i.e. asking for TB skin tests when someone already had a chest X-ray). Applicants have to show up repeatedly for fingerprinting (every 15 month). Documents are lost all the time and applications just get "stuck" and USCIS can't even locate them or give precise information about the status of the application.

This all has nothing to do with the workforce. Its lack of leadership, lack of proper rules and processes. And while I am sure this comment won't be printed, I one one am very glad USCIS is getting new leadership. Maybe we get lucky this time and its someone who can truly improve USCIS.

March 21, 2008 3:06 PM

Hate to see you go, but family always comes first and foremost. Dont sweat the press, you can print volumes with what they were supposed to say and them getting facts straight will be something to see (like a snow storm in Dallas).

Meanwhile, if you come to Dallas, let me know: we can all go to the Rodeo in Mesquite on a Friday Evening (April thru October).

Hope that the person that replaces you will have the brass tacks to keep the positive changes up and moving in the right direction. You dont have to be a Marine to know what "Semper Fi" is all about- we who have served know that its "Mission first, People Always". IIO Ron Rosier, TSC-Dallas

March 21, 2008 3:15 PM

I am 100% behind Director Gonzalez. Under his leadership USCIS has become a functioning agency that is coherant, goal oriented, and responsive to the needs of its customers. He has also created a plan for a coherant system that is finally dealing with fraud in a systematic and analytical way. As a USCIS officer, I applaud Director Gonzalez and Secretary Chertoff for their gargantuan efforts. The political bias of the New York Times (which is increasingly akin ot Pravda or Granma) is so obvious that to be mentioned in its pages is a badge of honor: it means that you have done something right.

March 21, 2008 3:15 PM

I have noticed a huge improvement in customer service. Most of the people I talked to are nice and try to be helpful. However, in my case I was never able to get any real information about my case. Everytime I submit an inquiry about my case I receive a letter with the same answer (pending background check)with no relief insight. Plus, the USCIS asks in their response to wait for six months before you check again. Six months!!!!!!! I have filed an I-485 employment based green card for five years now, and my visa Bulletin has been current from day one. Five years and still counting!!!!!!!!

March 21, 2008 3:38 PM

I filed my I-130 and my husband filed his I-485 in SEPTEMBER 2004. We're still waiting. Great efficiency at USCIS? yeah, right.

March 21, 2008 3:51 PM

there is much to say about the uscis. But one doesn't need to go deep to find out what is going wrong behind those doors after observing the character assasinating, defensive, threatning behaviour of their boss. If he can treat the us citzens and their right to know their government's business this way...wow good luck immagrant.

March 21, 2008 3:53 PM

I do sympatise with those people who are still waiting on their approval notices. I filed for citizenship in june of 2007 and i became a citizen in march less than a month after i had my interview. I have to agree with the Director that the process has changed immensely at least in Chicago compared to several years ago but I believe it could be better but kudos to the director and all the employees of uscis for doing the jod well but maybe a little faster.

March 21, 2008 4:01 PM

I think Gonzales must be really stupid to come on here to say crap, you obviously don't know what your stupid agency has been putting families through. The truth is bitter but it will definitely be told by the MEDIA who will and can never be gauged! Your agency puts false information and have people in the immigration process for years on end and you come on here chatting crap.
People need to progress in their careers and start their families, do something and stop making excuses!

March 21, 2008 4:04 PM

Hello !!! I file in 2001, my brother is my sponsor for the green card and i steel waiting!!!!I have special needs son, and i cant leave the country if i have to go in France( i am French)for any emergency health, Its crazy to wait that long.My case is the 4th priority!!! GREAT !! And i already spend $7500.OO with my immigration Lawer!! What i suppost to do ??? NOTHING !! Just wait!

March 21, 2008 4:05 PM

I have been waiting for a decision for 5 years now. When I call no one knows how long it will take or will do anything to find out why it's taking so long or what is needed to get my aplication processed. The referals are useless always contain the same answers: backlog or need more time. I have been paying taxes for 10 years now yet i do not qualify for most benefits and cannot visit family members that are overseas. This delay and lack of care is a true disrespect for aplicants.

March 21, 2008 4:15 PM

I don't get it. The US has always had open arms to anyone in the world and even allowed illegal immigration. To be an American Citizen is a priviledge to be earned even if it takes years. But all I see is people coming here demanding and complaining about the process. If you don't like the process, go home and complain and demand your rights in your own country and see where that gets you. What ever happened to being grateful for the opportunity to live in this once wonderful country that is turning into a 3rd world nation.???

March 21, 2008 4:25 PM

You guys are blind. USCIS works in a black box. nobody knows how they did and how wrong they did because they never release useful information to you.

March 21, 2008 4:29 PM

well thanks you but you need to do better. People are suffering, and spending too much on staying in touch with their loved ones and spouses. The divorce rate is going up statistically because, if you are here for five years and your spouse cannot come over to yoy. The law should be revisited in so far their are bonded marriages

March 21, 2008 4:29 PM

I agree with USCIS. With such an increase in the amount of Applications that were received, USCIS has done an excellent job and I am very impressed. I applied for my I-130 in September 2007 and recently got my case approved. Every time I have called USCIS, I have been treated with respect. All my questions are always answered completely. Just because USCIS can not assure people with certain answers all the time, it does not mean that your file sits in a plastic shrink wrap pile. Give the USCIS folks a break! This is not to say that the wait has been easy for me. I am waiting for my wife just like anyone else. Keep up your efforts; they are really making a difference. I applied for my K3 Petition and got a receipt notice in one week.

--
Ali Zia

March 21, 2008 4:52 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/21/nyregion/21immigrant.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=nyregion

...another article on how our cases are being adjudicated...

March 21, 2008 5:09 PM

Rock on Times, as a petitioner for my fiance you've nailed it and either Gonzalez is disconnected from the truth or is lying. I filed in September only to have my case misplaced. Filed in January only to have my file sent in error to Chicago and then sent back to me. Its taken me 5 months to get a receipt. Whats worse is it doesn't look like California Service Center is fulfilling its duty to honor my original date because I am STILL WAITING.

SHAME ON YOU EMILIO GONZALEZ, FIRST YOU FAIL TO PLAN AHEAD AND NOW YOUR COVERING UP. CLASSSIC

March 21, 2008 5:18 PM

Like many other people who left comments here, I have no doubt about the performance of the hard working people at USCIS. The problem is with management which is unable to foresee the upcoming problems and fulfilling their promises. I believe the biggest issue here is that Mr. Gonzalez is unable to take responsibilty for what the hike in application fees promised - faster and professional service. The result, sadly, is quite opposite; it is taking longer than it used to for completing different immigration cases. The agency should have been better prepared for the increase in the number of applications due to the hike in fees and the upcoming elections. I quote Mr. Gonzalez here, "more than half of all the citizenship applications received in June and July will be completed by September 30. Further, many of the applicants who filed for citizenship after July 2007 have already been naturalized." How come many people who filed for N-400 after July 2007 have already been naturalized while those who filed earlier are still waiting? Please do not tell me that because they paid the higher fees they are being given preference! My personal experience includes a receipt notice dated August but not mailed out until November. This is not the type of service I expect. Though the agency may have taken steps to improve their overall process, there is still a long way to go!

March 21, 2008 5:26 PM

i agree the uscis officers are working hard but let me you an idia what happend to mei did file with the immigration the first time on septemper 2003 and waited and missiori service center closed my case for no reason,i did pay money to reopen and i got it open,and while i was waiting to get my interview i got another letter from my local office says we closed your case for no reason and i did file appeal again paid money again and till now i did not hear any thing from my local office and i did refile my case from A and finnaly i got my interview almosst year ago and i got my I130 approved but i been waiting on my green card i did not get it yet because you know ofcourse you know fbi name check and also i wanna go to see my parents but i cannt becuase of inadmissabilty some one can tell me what i have to do
thanks

March 21, 2008 5:30 PM

that's funny they are working hard on our cases we did pay alot of money to be legall here in u.s because we do love this country and no one cares about us.also i have really afunny comment i been struggle with the immigration for years and years and years and finnaly iam waiting now on the fbi name check to get my green card and it will be soon after at least ten years from now some one told me if you wanna get your green card fast apply for ajob with the army and you will get it for a few days like he did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!funny

thanks

March 21, 2008 7:12 PM

Having read the above article a few comments up all I can say is that its rather shameful that Emilio even has posted this statement. Its like Hitler commenting on the good work of his SS.

March 21, 2008 7:29 PM

Something that upper level managers failed to do is plan ahead.. Raising the prices is a real large mistake, and guess what not only petitioners had to pay the consequences, but the USCIS employees also. 17,000 employees working late nights, big deal, at least they're living with their families: Plus they're getting paid overtime, I hope!
I submitted an I-130 in Sept 2007, I waited 4 months before I received a receipt, which caused a delay for my submittion of an I-129F. The whole purpose of the LIFE ACT has been defeated!! So unfortunate for such a large governmental organization.. This is America land that I love, yet when it comes to services like this, does the least possible for me.
If you take a look at one of the blogs someone listed above, they state that they have already received an approval for their I-130 that they submitted in Sept. 2007, USCIS must be skipping over some applications or something, because I submitted my application the same time, and still waiting.. Something is not right about this..
USCIS needs to work 10 times harder at all times, even though they received so many more application. Its not my fault USCIS decided to raise the fees.

March 21, 2008 7:32 PM

The USCIS managemant made so many mistakes that Dr. Gonzalez should quietly retire without trying to justify his mismanagement.
First, the USCIS decided to run expanded FBI checks for all applicants without Congressional approval, funds and planning and in violation of administrative law. Moreover, the USCIS did not impose any deadlines for FBI to complete name checks. People are waiting for 6+ years, this is simply ridiculous in the 21st century. 300,000 were waiting for name check at the beginning of 2007.
Second, the USCIS decided to raise fees before the election year, when the number of citizenship applications usually increases.
Third, the USCIS announced that people with green cards without expiration date will have to either apply for a replacement green cards or for citizenship. No wonder a lot of them decided to apply for citizenship.
Thank you, Mr. Gonzalez, for making me wait for almost 4 years for my green card. Surely America feels more secure because of that.
Thank you for fulfilling your promise to eliminate backlog by the end of FY 2006 and for reducing processing times after the fee increase.

March 21, 2008 7:39 PM

While I believe the hard work done by many USCIS employees, I strongly disagree with what Mr. Gonzales said as 'many of the applicants who filed for N-400 citizenship after July 2007 have already been naturalized'. Why this system is so unjust? Why doesn’t it follow ‘First in First out’ rule? I filed my citizenship application on Dec 2006 and still remain in background check limbo. No interview was ever scheduled yet. I have spent a lot of my valuable time dealing with USCIS to resolve the delay issue without success. I understand the importance of security check, but why it takes unreasonable amount of time? Is the long delayed background check safe to our nation and fair to the innocent people? Because of the delay, I don't have the ability to apply green card for my wife. Now I am facing possible family separation. Also I doubt if I will be lucky enough not to miss the opportunity to vote in this year. I wish Mr. Gonzales can also hear the voice from people like me, who have suffered enough from the long delay by USCIS.

March 21, 2008 7:48 PM

can somone tell me ,how can they justifye this,its been almost years since my interview and my case is pending because of birth certificate verification,4 yrs i cant go see my family ,my life is frozen ,iam all for background cheks ,but 4 years .

March 21, 2008 7:53 PM

Everybody works hard, USCIS employees are not exception. Sometimes overwhelming job creates lots of stress, it drags tension and misunderstanding, jobs get lost and confusion takes place.

It is not the end of the world, but everyone should help to improve and reduce stress, sometimes is the procedure, the pressure, or because from the 50 persons at the phone none was nice or thankful. Sometimes we want to give up, drop the hammer and go home.

But then, sometimes it works nicely, someday everyone is working happy and it seems the job goes fast and easy.

I think that at USCIS nobody is evil and trying to pester people's life. As a job, they are doing their part and even more than that, we must recognize it and applaud.

But then, without trying to pinpoint culprits, if you take your car for the body shop and it would take 14 months to fix the fender, you just laugh and go across the street. The problem, there is no other USCIS across the street, so USCIS has no reference or target for timeframe.

At the companies I worked we use to do planning, it would be accounted in hours, not months or years. The only times I saw clients being misinformed with a vague or misleading long shot time frame, was when we were completely lost and in few cases not even knowing who the client was, or worse, we could not even find their papers.

But don't take me wrong, it was not our fault, and in some cases not even management's fault. The faulty part was planning, production rules, the "engine" was not prepared or not "oiled" for the road. Top management fault?

I understand USCIS is changing, preparing itself for the future, and I am pretty sure that many changes are already in place, and lots of others are simply blocked by lack of proper regulation or new laws that allow them to work with better procedures.

For example,

Why USCIS requires you to send your I-94 if they (should) have it available in a split second at the officer's screen?

Why several times the e-file application ends up not finding the documents sent by mail days later, forcing the officer to request a RFE with all documents already sent?

Why can't the applicant just send all the documents scanned along with the e-file application?

Why don't have just one complete record for the applicant, and keep all the other applications and petitions referencing such record? Avoiding dozens of different forms for everything, repeating the same information over and over again?

Today's computer systems allow you to automate almost everything.

For example, there is no reason to take weeks to receive an Employment Authorization Document. If the information at the system shows the applicant legally has the right for it, why now create an online application that simply dispatch the document production upon checking the eligibility in a fraction of a second?

I am not saying that USCIS is unprepared, what I say is that competitive private companies invest heavily in technology to supply what the customer wants and to deliver it right now. This means everybody happy and productivity.

Of course you can't computerize everything. But I am quite sure that lots of simple jobs still being done by human hands, and several of those don't really need a person to do it, it doesn't demand human intelligence. Those persons could be doing much more productive USCIS tasks.

As an example, the Employment Document said above, if the applicant has a recorded I-485 in the USCIS system, if by its own time, the I-485 was rightfully applied, if the system shows the applicant if legally in the country, why the system don't simply print the document and mail it? Why it should take more than 8 weeks (even when the regulation says it should not take more than 2 months) for somebody just grab the paperwork and in a minute command the document printout? and why the paperwork should include a copy of the I-797 (receipt) of the applicant's I-485 when USCIS has it on the system already?

It seems that there is no effective communication or information available.

Can you imagine a day when the USCIS would send a letter to someone saying that his/her Employment Document is about to expire and if desired the applicant just need to go online with his/her USCIS logon and password, pay by credit card and receive the EAD in 3 days?

USCIS implemented several new technological resources, electronic fingerprint and picture when checked by immigration officer at any airport, is one of those, but then why not give to the visitor at that moment a "visitor card" with an online logon/password where he could do several online transactions with USCIS, update address, consult an officer, send applications and petitions, pay fees, etc. The online application would be small and simple, since the system would have all the visitor’s information already.

Go to any Online Banking and you will understand what I am talking about. Can you imagine if you need to do all the paperwork with your bank by mail? and wait 14 months to have your application for a new credit card being verified by somebody, and when you call the bank the answer will be that they are overwhelmed with applications and if you don't receive your card in 60 days to call again?

Anyway, congratulations to the 17,000 USCIS employees, they are doing a fine job of 34,000, I am really afraid that the addition of 3,000 new employees may not even create a dent in the backlog or today’s delays.

That’s life, and its not easy.

Enough said.

March 21, 2008 9:05 PM

I don't know what is going on in the USCIS office.

I submitted an employement authorization form based on 1-485 in early November. You can imagine that till date I have not received the card.

The always tell me I will get it in 30 days each time I call the office or visit the local office. It's a pity.

March 21, 2008 9:07 PM

Ironically, those 600,000+ applicants who (understandably) rushed to file their applications before the latest fee increase went into effect guaranteed that there would be fewer resources to deal with their application. By law, USCIS has been a "fee paid" agency since 1990. That means the application fees filed by immigrants and their relatives pay for everything that USCIS does. However, the result is that the capability to prepare for surges in applications is severly limited, because the money to process them does not arrive until the applications do. Even with the money in hand, no organization, civilian or government, can ramp up operations overnight. It takes time to recruit, screen, hire, and train new employees. It takes time to design and build new facilities. It takes time to purchase, recieve, and install all the new equipment that new hires need. Overtime can (and certainly must) take care of some of this increase in work load, but it robs Peter to pay Paul, since it depletes the resources available for expansion and upgrades of training, facilities and equipment. Additionally, there is only so much overtime than can be required of employees before their productivity begins to decline. Part of the irony here, is that if the 600,000+ would have waited until after the fee increase, USCIS would have had greater resources to process those applications and they might actually be further along than they are now.

Yes, there are "horror" cases, but if Director Gonzalez is correct (and I have no good reason to think he is not, since no other agency has contradicted him), most of the delays are due to security checks being run by other federal agencies.

I have to give a hand to Director Gonzalez for standing up for his employees, something I don't ever remember the old INS commissioners doing.

T. Schaffer

March 21, 2008 9:34 PM

It's really a SHAME to say a "forum to talk about ours work protecting the American people". Texas center replies my case inquiry as "The processing of your application has been delayed. All petitions/applications received by this service are required to have routine security checks that resulting in delays of the adjustication of petition/applications. We can give NO DEFINITE indication of when they will be completed. We appologize for the delay". My case has been pending about 3 years and USCIS never cares, indicating USCIS is benefiting real terrorists by delaying the process. And USCIS VSC denied by case because they can't locate my fingerprint and forced me pay again to have the case re-open. USCIS then holds my I-485 for more $$ as they know I have to renew EAD and AP annually. USCIS is a lying US government, such as they transfer my case to TSC in order to 'speed up process', 'you should receive a decision or notice within 60 days', etc, which never happen.

March 21, 2008 9:39 PM

"the integrity of the immigration system" What is that?

March 21, 2008 10:03 PM

A message to USCIS headquarters.
We realize the tremendous work-load that USCIS has encountered since the fee increase. However, returned petitions are not given any priority, and seem to be stuck in a black hole. Yes these petitions were reviewed once and returned, however we would be extremely grateful if these petitions were given processing times. I have been waiting 2 years now for VSC to review our returned petiton, with no word. Pending ...further review...contact in 180 days. There are many cases similar to mine..waiting indefinately. We would gladly pay an additional processing fee to have these petitions given a processing time. Please see my website www.visa-talk.org We are asking for guidance from USCIS as recommended by the Ombudsman. For now indefinately waiting.

March 21, 2008 10:04 PM

I think times got it right. It seems illegal immigration is well-tolerated than legal. Me and my wife have been always on status for the past 10 years in this wonderful country (F1, H1 and now 485 pending). Our cases are approval, but we are stuck in this mess called name check familiar to most people reading this column. ITs a SHAME that even after the new memo, infopasses, they want us to keep patience. Just imagine working in the private sector and telling your customer to wait indefinitely, plus charging them top rate. WAKE UP, DIRECTOR and make a change you can live with!

March 21, 2008 10:17 PM

I wonder if Dr. Gonzalez defines the standards of integrity at the highest levels of the agency charged with protecting the security of the nation. Consider the following comments from a Federal Judge, as recently as January 18, 2008. While Gonzalez may shake his fist dramatically at the New York Times, I wonder what he has to say about what the Judge said, of Gonzalez' policy in stonewalling taxpayers who demand that he obey the law of the United States. I quote:

""… these cases are...unnecessary and reflect a small scale litigation epidemic.. Congress intended the naturalization application process to be completed without undue delay. Congress certainly did not intend for the process to become tortuous, expensive, mystifying and delayed…USCIS has a mandatory, non-discretionary obligation to adjudicate these naturalization applications within a reasonable period of time. …CIS simply does not possess unfettered discretion to relegate aliens to a state of limbo, leaving them to languish there indefinitely. The explanations given by government counsel for the various procedural delays…are insufficient, contradictory and disputed by Plaintiffs…I have reached a tentative conclusion that ...USCIS,...has adopted a strategy of favoring delay by litigation, instead of developing an orderly and transparent administrative resolution. ..
USCIS also appears to favor “retaining” the valuable time of Assistant U.S. Attorneys to litigate each of these cases. Although this cost may not come out of the USCIS budget, it certainly alleviates USCIS from having to give its administrative attention to these Plaintiffs until and unless they reach a critical point in the litigation. As one example of the bizarre and Kafka-esque nature of this situation.. (details omitted). ..It is obviously inconsistent for the government to advise applicants that they could file a writ of mandamus to secure judicial relief, and...then argue that the court has no jurisdiction.
…The Defendants could have, and in my view should have, requested our Chief Judge to consolidate all these cases before a single judge, which would expedite final resolution. Instead, the government seems to have preferred to benefit from the delays inherent in the single-judge assignment system. By failing to request consolidation and failing to cite the decisions of other judges of this Court, the government has sought to benefit from the spread of cases among the judges, thus increasing our workload, and not giving us the benefit of the fact that other judges have decided, or are working on, the same issues. ...
The entire pattern of the government conduct in these cases… allows the unfortunate inference that judges and the judicial process are being used as tools to further delay, and obfuscation of the real reasons for delay on these petitions. .. the Defendants’ strategy is to use litigation as part of the delaying process."

This will be the legacy of Emilio Gonzalez. In the rich traditions set by Brown of FEMA, and that other Gonzalez, the unlamented ex-Attorney General.

The New York Times did get it wrong, Dr. Gonzalez. They only covered the recent spate of applications in arriving at their "million broken promises". They did not uncover the more than HALF A MILLION taxpayers stuck in the limbo of your notorious "NAMECHECK" scam for over two years. A CIS agent recently told me casually that "people have been waiting since 2003". These names have been deleted from the Online Case Status database as someone accurately pointed out above, presumably to lie to Congress about how effective CIS has been.

I have to laugh at all those innocent hopefuls above who praise CIS for calling them for interview within 3 months, or 6 months, or 14 months. Little do they realize that the ordeal has just begun - at the end of the interview CIS will tell them: "Oh, by the way, your NameCheck is Pending... it may come in tomorrow, or next month, or next year, or next decade, or in your next life".

Why did the CIS OMBUDSMAN quit earlier this year, Dr. Gonzalez? Want me to repeat HIS comments here?

America is great - unlike Japan we don't have a requirement of HaraKiri for flunkie bureaucrats. Go away, Dr. Gonzalez, someplace where people can't read or think. Maybe they will believe you there.

March 21, 2008 10:45 PM

I don’t' get it, how come this immigration service is that slow, we have to wait for the labor certification for many years back log, now we get in the "ICE" BACK LOG, now way JOSE. This is not fare, 8 years of H1b Visa, my company exhausted to pay for immigrations services, lawyer and here we go, I still waiting and waiting for I-140 approval, and who knows when my green card would be approved. IN ONE WORD "TOTALLY BAD SERVICE, NO EXCUSES, THEY NEED PEOPLE WITH COMPUTER AKNOLEDGE, ENGINEERS LIKE US!!! That’s why we are here, to help United Stated move on!!!!

March 21, 2008 10:54 PM

Mr. Emilio is right, most of the backlog things, delays, unprompt responses from USCIS are being attacked in all ways but there are no open decisions and solutions.

My case is pending since one year (It's utter ridiculous). I have been reading in all the forums, I can't imagine how the image of USCIS and ofcourse the image of great American nation also painted with negative impressions. I think this is a serious threat/shame to American work force.

In the name security check, these delays are causing. It's the primary concern of every Nation, but shouldn't take that long and they can eradicate this by having one to one direct communication with applicant in which more evidences of security can be exposed.

March 21, 2008 11:29 PM

I have read that article in the times and i dont think it was attacking the work ethic of ths uscis empolyees. It was attacking the agency's incompetency in anticipating the surge in applications. If uscis increased the fee a small amount, i gurantee that they would not have gotten this many applications. Instead the agency increased the fee immensely, so naturally people applied right before it went into effect. I applaud "the new york times" for being bold and crticize the USCIS. I have filed a I-130 on october of 2007 and i have not recieved my receipt letter yet.
talk about improvement and efficency.

March 21, 2008 11:32 PM

Mr. T Schaffer,
Your comment is one more example of people who do not really understand how the system works. Does some application get stuck in the fbi name check? YES.
But here is the part Mr. Gonzalez does not tell you: the USCIS request for the name check, the USCIS decides if they want to put a timeline, the USCIS decides who much they pay the FBI for the checks. In other words, even though the FBI is doing the name checks, the responsibility of getting it done within a reasonable time rest with the USCIS.
And for goodness sake, this is not about the employees of the USCIS. This is about a system in real need of an upgrade. It is also an organization in need of some good managerial capabilities.
Can some one tell me why the I-129F is free with an applicaiton for I-130 when both take about the same time to process? Just one more redundant, money and time wasting policy!

Need more examples?

March 21, 2008 11:35 PM

I am very new to this process and only filed my I-129F petition Jan. 2008. After reading many of the previous comments I am both apprehensive and concerned. I just want my wife with me and have no way of knowing when we can make plans to be together. Does anyone have an average number of months we can expect to wait? The phone bills alone dwarf the filing fee.
CShaw

March 22, 2008 12:10 AM

Well, probably USCIS works hard, but not on mine case that stuck in Name Check for 2.5 years and 2 years passed from interview. Director Gonzalez totally ignores FBI Name Check problem, like it doesn't exist at all. All I hear is how it’s important for National Security. I’m LPR from Ukraine and see no connection between National Security and my persona. When I go to Infopass all I hear from officers that nothing changed so far and stories about someone who was stuck for 5 years; encouraging answer indeed. Since there is no FIFO in USCIS I truly believe that all these millions of people from last year surge will go in front of me.

March 22, 2008 12:28 AM

Mr Gonzalez do you know that I-130 under 245i are not even processed seven+ years later? what would you recommend for those people as a interior travel document? what would you recommend as an ID for those people? what do you think about modern age slavery your agency is part of? could you please answer those questions, if you can?!

March 22, 2008 12:32 AM

WELL. 1ST COMMENT SOMEONE MADE IS NOT TRUE.
I APPLIED FOR I-130 ON OCTOBER 2007 AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM USCIS.
ALTHOUGH USCIS CLAIMS THEY HIRED MORE PEOPLE TO WORK I DO NOT SEE ANY RESULTS.

March 22, 2008 12:36 AM

I believe that USCIS officers work incredibly hard. But as many have pointed out above, this mess occured because of lack of plan and lack of leadership and lack of dedication to work efficiently.

Most of people, especially employment based applicants, who are directly affected by this non-sense immigration systems are tho ones who will work hard for and contibute a lot to this country. When you increased the fee 200-300%, you should have expected that the surge would occur and you should have had plan for it. Well.. You didn't. That's why so many people are suffering.

Myself I have to live my loving husband because of this non-sense.
My husband was not able to go see her sick mom because of this mess.

Some people who applied much later than me get approval while there are people who have been waiting 3,4,5 yrs. There is no logic behind what we have been seeing how the USCIS is functioning.
For example, losing documents and issuing RFEs just to earn more time should never happen.

When you deal with someting that affect people's live in tremendous level, you should take serious responsibility and just working hard is not enough.

March 22, 2008 12:41 AM

Well, I have applied my green card six years ago, and still waiting a decision. that might be a testimony of how much ordeal and stress many legal immigrtants have to go through before achieving their goal of becoming part of this society, a a proud citizen.

March 22, 2008 1:27 AM

Doy gracias A Dios por el pais del cual quiero ser parte.
toda mi familia ya lo son y mi hermana y yo ya sometimos la N400
y en menos de 2 semanas recivimos la carta de recivida y fue una gran sorpresa despues de todo lo que se dice que esta haciendo muy tardado.yo le,quiero decir al senor,Gonzales que gracias por preocuparse y hacer todo lo que este a su,alcanse,para Agulizar,el proseso,estoy deacuerdo con el, que tiene que azegurarse,y Verificarque,lo que decimos en nuestras aplicaciones sean VERDADERAS.
QUE DIOS CUIDE Y BENDIGA A LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS....

March 22, 2008 1:42 AM

It will be great if they consider spouses and children of green card holder to get their greencard fast after filing I 130.They say 'it takes five years to get a green card'I stayed with my husband only 2 weeks after marriage since I have the contract with my working company.I hope that there should be many people in this list.If uscis faster the visa process for spouses and chidrens of green card holders,we can see joy in many families.If they provide the dependant visa for the green card holder spouses during the waiting time,They can stay together happily which will avoid lot of divorce

March 22, 2008 2:18 AM

Are they kidding?. waiting my green card 7 for years, and still pending for background check. I don't understand the fairness and justice they are talking here..if there is a sound justice system, which I doubt, I am sure, this things like this would not happen to the people who came here legally, and as a REFUGEE which was what America built on

March 22, 2008 3:19 AM

Dear Mr Gonzalez,
I understand and believe that you try to do a great job. But the agency you have controlled is out of control. My frustration level is extremely high because your staff in offices in two countries have continued to give me and my family differeing advice on the same issues. If you were running this as a company, you would be bankrupt and most of your staff would have been fired for malfeasance and stupidity.

It's a shame that you are stepping down actually. It just means that the new person will then need some time to get up to speed on his/her job. You should be braver and stay at your post through the storm -- you and your staff learn nothing from bailing out when times get tough and you shoulf remain to help steer the agency.

Bottom line is that I hope your staff start operating like a real company and not like a lazy bureacratic government administration. If they wanted lazy jobs, they should have gone worked for the post office.

March 22, 2008 7:07 AM

I belong to an on-line community and I am one of MANY who have suffered through the price-hike fiasco in June/July 2007.
1. Applications of the same type were NOT processed in the order in which they were received.
2. Many receipt notices were either mailed out VERY late, or never mailed out at all.
3. Your 1-800 number is manned by representatives who can tell you NO more than you can find on your own at the Case Status website. The Reps often provide MIS-information or NO information at all. I had an RFE that I never knew about (and neither did the customer service rep). USCIS mailed it to my OLD address and it was returned. When USCIS got my NEW address on file, they didn't bother to re-send it.
4. The Case Status website is OFTEN NOT updated. My Senator had to find out about the RFE.
5. Cases can sit for months at USCIS and you may never know what is happening. We are expected to sit around for 14-16 months without a single word from USCIS about our loved ones and we AREN'T supposed to call about it and if we write, you may never get an actual response to your letter. I'm still waiting.
I could go on and on, but basically, USCIS management did not adequately prepare for these price hikes and things just snow-balled. The Ombudsman at DHS resigned also; he is the person who makes recommendations for USCIS to improve customer service. You can see here that USCIS management has not responded to his recommendations since June of last year-->about the time that things started to unravel at USCIS: http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/cisomb_recommendations_to_uscis_status_chart.pdf
Anyway, like many of you posting here, I just want my loved one here with me and it's been, so far, 18 months of separation and while I may be just a 'number' to USCIS, my life is on hold. Mr. Gonzalez may want to spend more time with his family and thus, has announced his retirement, but at least he gets to go home at night to be with his family AND so do his hard-working employees....even if they are working overtime. My "family" member is living in another country and can't come here until USCIS finishes processing his paperwork.

March 22, 2008 9:15 AM

Mr.Gonzalez has made the mistake of being soft on his USCIS bureaucratic team, where he was supposed to act tough and get things done. He was particularly let down by the Nebraskra Service Center director Gerard Heinauer and his team. Before Mr.Gonzalez leaves, he need to set things correct and remove the backlog so that the next incumbent starts on a good note

March 22, 2008 9:51 AM

I wish to applaud Dr. Gonzalez and his staff for keeping this BLOG open. I seriously doubt if any of it will penetrate the brains at the top of USCIS headquarters, given that they did not take the pointed, careful advice given by THEIR OWN OMBUDSMAN.

The OMBUDSMAN clearly pointed out how ridiculous it is to keep lawful permanent residents who have stayed here more than five years, in limbo for another 2 or 3 years, in the name of a non-functional "namecheck" scam. Come on, Dr. Gonzalez, I too read that judge's scathing comments quoted above. It is clear that you are NOT helping the security of this nation by dumping half a million files, already cleared over five years ago, back on the FBI, taking the FBI's resources away from focusing on real suspects.

As the CIS Ombudsman pointed out in his scathing report to Congress last July, if there are suspects among the applicants, WHY ARE YOU NOT ACTING FASTER against those? Allowing an Al Qaeda suspect to sit around for five years or ten years as a NAMECHECK PENDING is HELPING security, Gonzales? Whose security, Gonzales - Al Qaeda's or America's? With the tactics like those for which the Federal Immigration Judge slammed you, are we unjustified in wondering which side you are on?

Making your 17000 hard-working employees go to work every day knowing these harsh facts about their own employer, is your way of rewarding their hard work and loyalty?

But at least this is the first effort on the part of CIS to actually even allow any comment by taxpayers, on a forum which they control.

This may indeed be the start of some infusion of common sense into the heads of those who "lead" this agency. Then again, can they ignore 200 years of their own tradition of not having any?

You (or your follower) need to listen more to actual thinking humans caught in this situation of YOUR MAKING, rather than to the sycophantic lawyers at DHS Headquarters like yourself who tell you how great you are.

Please spend some time using GOOGLE with search terms like "Name check delay" or "CIS arrogance" instead of reading only the New York Times or your sycophants' reports. Get someone to read the CIS OMBUSDMAN's reports and explain them to you.

The rest of us already know how great you are. Thank you, and 'bye.

March 22, 2008 10:04 AM

I would like to bring to your attention the difficulty being faced by many AOS applicants due to the lack of availability of their job description and Salary information. To be more specific, I am referring to the Q (3) of William Yates Memo which adjudicators use for adjudicating a AOS petition.

Historically and even now with (there are a slew of applicants who can use AC21), employers have chosen NOT to share this(ETA 750A & I-140) information with employees in their own interests, claiming that these forms are company property and they are NOT legally mandated to share these forms. I am wondering if USCIS has ever looked this from a AOS applicant's perspective who is in this conundrum, who either has lost a job after 180 days of pending 485 application, has a approved I-140 or wants to switch employers at will and do not have this much needed information. Not having the required information puts them at the risk of taking chances with AC21 and tension/mental stress until the day of adjudication. By not verifying that whether the AOS applicants have access to this information or not, USCIS IMO is setting them up for failure.

What is USCIS's take on this? There are so many people who need this information. There are so many people who are filing FOIA requests with both USCIS for 140 and with DOL for ETA-750A/ETA-9089 application forms. The wait time on these FOIA requests has been severely long. Some sort of clarity from USCIS on how to make this information available to AOS applicants (other than FOIA) will make a huge difference and will relieve many people the mental stress it is causing.

Thanks
Sandy

Question 3. What is "same or similar" occupational classification for purposes of I-140 portability?

Answer: When making a determination if the new employment is the "same or similar" occupational classification in comparison to the employment in the initial I-140, adjudicators should consider the following factors:

A. Description of the job duties contained in the ETA 750A or the initial I-140 and the job duties of the new employment to determine if they are the "same or similar" occupational classification.

B. The DOT code and/or SOC code assigned to the initial I-140 employment for petitions that have a certified ETA 750A or consider what DOT and/or SOC code is appropriate for the position for an initial I-140 that did not require a certified ETA 750A. Then consider the DOT code and/or SOC code, whichever is appropriate for the new position to make a determination of "same or similar" occupational classification.

March 22, 2008 12:07 PM

I know the Times magazine has some political views but that is not the point. USCIS has failed to the country, to the legals immigrants whom put all the hopes and believed in an agency that is uncapable to solve this situation. Why send rockets to the moon if they can't handle problems in the earth? There is an anti-immigrants movement and it's USCIS faults. The actual law is not that bad. It has some failures but can be corrected without any trauma. The problem is the agency, the director and the burocratic people who works there. There is too much corruption and unfairness. But the attention is focused is 12 millions of illegal alliens. But what about the millions of legal peoples who put the faith on the system? If you take the political view out of the Times magazine, the article is true... USCIS is a problem and nobody is taking of the problem and raising the fee it's just a pretext to make more money on expenses of the people who is putting all the hope in this nation where...liberty and justice is not for all.

March 22, 2008 12:35 PM

Over the past 6-7 years USCIS has wasted approximately 280K visa numbers or Green cards as per the CIS Ombudsman report. Last year's Visa Bulletin issue and the high drama that prevailed still has not faded away from the memory of many EB applicants.

What is USCIS doing for the full and maximum utilization of these visa numbers? While it is important that the N-400 applications are processed so that immigrants can vote in the Nov election, wasted visa numbers cannot be recaptured after the end of the fiscal year. Are there enough resources for USCIS not only to adjudicate the N-400 applications, but also for I-485 applications.

I understand that you are a busy person and I appreciate you taking time to write a journal and bringing the administration directly to the forefront of your customers via this journal. There are a lot of people who have raised some legitimate Q's and I look forward to see another post from you addressing as many issues as you can

March 22, 2008 1:09 PM

I think it is a big shame that the head of the INS had to resort to this to defend the inadequacies of his dept and for failing the law abiding citizens who have put their faith in the system which they believe to be fair.

Myself and my Fiancee have been on this trip long enough and am just glad we are not one of those couples who have split but we have been stronger, but while the Director is retiring to go and spend more time with his family, I hope he can take the time to also think about all the families the agencies have successfully put assunder and those they have put their lives on hold depriving them the joy and happiness of a stable and lovely home...something the director and his "17,000 hard-working employees" obviously enjoy.

It's quite ironic that the head of the INS would decide to resign at a time when the agency is in turmoil, shows how much of a man he is but oh well, he wants to spend more time with his family. Good luck and am sure you will not publish this but who cares anyways. Thanks for this forum and I hope those who matter get to see these comments.

March 22, 2008 1:34 PM

It is easy to blame the poor employees trying to do their best under an archaic system but one needs to look at the bigger picture. The immigration laws go back to the 1940's and badly need to be reviewed and fixed. Second visas are actually issued by the State not through USCIS so you have two departments of the government not insinc with each other. And third the number of visas need to be increased to realistic levels to meet the increased demand for them. I filed an I-130 which took two years to get approved now I am waiting for my priority date of December 2002 to come up so I can obtain a green card. I have been waiting 5 1/2 years so far. On top of this I am currently here on an H1-B visa so I can work but this will probably run out before I can get permanent residence status which means I will have to give up my job and return to Canada. All my family are now US citizens and for over 20years I lived and was educated in the US but now that I want to return legally none of this matters, I have to get in line and wait.

March 22, 2008 2:10 PM

hi there
i applied for I-485 and I -140 in july 2007 i was told that this case will be cleared in six months and its been nine month i am still waiting is this fair after paying the high fees they asked for what we paid
there are the one for promised that in six month they will process the case other thing on the website for uscis go to proccing dates they one of the page is not updated since feb 15 2008 for texas servise centre this gives bad impression about uscis work
i know you guys are tring your level best to ensure everthing good but is this fair please look into this things and hope things gets speed up
since all this delay happens people wait years and years this loose family member and life goes on this loose lots of things in life to get green card is this fair

one disappointed customer

March 22, 2008 2:31 PM

I agree 100% with Times article. Its shame on USCIS.

I don't believe what you said in your article.

March 22, 2008 2:53 PM

Yea right Mr Director. You raised the application fees three fold and make processing time longer and you are proud of yourself? Are you out of your mind. Yes, I agree with you that there are thousand of hard working employee at USCIS. But I believe that you have failed the system. You should think about how to improve the already stress systme. Not to overload them.

March 22, 2008 2:56 PM

first and foremost i would like to thank the USCIS for the tremendous job they have done i k now with all the work load they have its not easy at all.I filed an I-485 and it got processed within 7 months.considering al the work load they got i really would like to thank them for that.
i know alot of pple are complaining but i would like everyone to think for a moment if your work load increased by 350%.thell me how u would handle that.so i think so far they are doing there best.thank u USCIS and keep up the good work we know your working hard.

March 22, 2008 3:30 PM

Mr. Gonzalez,first of all the people that work for you are not your friends. They are employees and must be held accountable. A job well done is measure by results. The client must be happy, the service must be performed and people must get what they pay for with or without the fee increase. Not to mention, that this is an ongoing issue with this agency. The agency simply does not need new names and acronyms it certainly needs a new attitude and a new system. What the USCIS does is not difficult and the need for security is paramount but the delay is not necessarily security related. Look at what you are doing and streamline it. The technology in use now is great but the agency must get people who know how to use it. If they do not know how, train them. Stop making excuses it is your fault. Do not enable them by saying they are doing a good job when they are not. What you have just written has capped a lot of their potential, they are now a protected species and they will be able to work at that pace until retirement. That’s typical government but you must be a leader and stop fooling yourself. By the way, Mr. Gonzalez if you say they are doing a good job now, please tell me when you will say they are doing a bad job?
The increase of applications should have been anticipated and that was bad judgment on your part. Simple, a plan to increase fees means more people will try to beat them. More people trying to beat fees, then more applications and therefore you need more people to process the applications. So where are these processors? We did our part, you did not. That is bad Mr. Gonzalez, no excuse.
Condoning their incompetence reflects badly on you, the agency and the United States of America to which we humble and downtrodden masses are attempting to become contributing citizens like you and many before you. It is a process Mr. Gonzalez and if this was handled by FedEx, UPS or even the USPS (which I may add now does an excellent job in providing top notch service) it would have been done well. These companies handle and deliver millions of packages a day through various stages in record time to. This is a fraction of the load your people are handling. They do it that way, the right way because they have competition. I realize that is a strange word to your agency and it means they can do it faster, better and more efficient that you. If FedEx messes up my delivery I go to UPS. If the post office is nearer and cheaper I go there. The beautiful thing is I have that choice. The post office that once used to do a lousy job got its act together. They changed from old school to new school. They did not beat their chest and said they were doing a great job, no, no, no, they got their act together and changed.
We know you got paid very well my friend during you tenure at the agency. I have been waiting for 8 months for a work permit. I have been fingerprinted, that was efficient and the lady was nice. But why is it taking so long to issue a work permit. It now hinders my ability to get work. And if I do then you hold it against me. It is a no win situation for me but good for you. If I had the work permit then I may not have been so frustrated waiting for the Green Card. I am certain that in you and your dear family’s efforts to become naturalized was not as difficult and frustrating and experience as many of us. Step up to the plate and do what a man has to do.

March 22, 2008 3:34 PM

Its so hard to be away from my wife for so long she sent in a I-130 application from Feb. 2004 and to date its still pending. When you check the visa bullitin the visa times are moving faster than how USCIS is aproving the cases cause they seem to be stuck at Jan 2005 for the longest while which is after my case date i must add yet "still pending" I would love to be with my wife so we can start having our kids and be a family again. Seeing her twice per year is not good not to mention those who have not seen there wives or husbands in years.

March 22, 2008 3:49 PM

does this mean that am going to face all this ?

we decided me and her to that i should apply for a fiancee visa instead of waiting for her to come and get married here outside US.
can anyone tell me what is the best way to do that please?should i apply now or wait for her to come?or it's the same as all this problems are concerned

March 22, 2008 4:05 PM

I'm waiting for 2 years for green card. As you know, your process and your office are too late everything. especially NSC. EB2, NIW, EB3 case of million people who want to immigate to the States are waiting now over 2 years, 3 years and even 7 or 8 years!!!!

March 22, 2008 4:54 PM

The idea is pretty simple. Make people wait for 5 years or more. Every year pay for renewing the EAD, for fingerprints and keep making money. Why dont USCIS issue EAD cards valid until the 485 is processed. Is there any place to verify, where a person is in his 485 process? When will he have is 485 approved? All the announcements made are only for citizenship issues. Why? Just for votes? Who will talk about approving 485? When and how long will you take to process it? What is the wait preiod? Does is follow the dates when it was filed? Shame!!! Also, you have to wait 5 more years to get the citizenship. Keep renewing baby.... and keep paying fees!!! What do we pay taxes for?? To wait 15 years to become a citzen?? Can you waive the tax till you make us a citizen?? Then why make us wait for ages?? Shame!!! Mr. Director, you system is exposed. Better outsource the work, if you cannot reach the growing demands with growing FEES!!!

March 22, 2008 7:19 PM

Why different centers apply different criteria for adjudications? Say, NSC scrutinizes applications much more than TSC. Why does it take much longer to process applications by NSC ? I remember, it was a talk about "sister" (?) centers, i.e., the centers will work in pairs, to distribute the workload more evenly? It didn't work, apparently. Why I-140s are stalled? Even pushed back? The election year?

March 22, 2008 7:48 PM

My biggest complaint is that the USCIS is not updating the web site on the Processing Times. It is frustrating that the Processing Times has not been updated since the last posting on February 15 and it is March 22. I think that it would be reasonable to expect the Processing Times should be updated at least every two weeks.

March 22, 2008 7:51 PM

Where are the processing times for March? Aren't they supposed to be published on 14th or 15th of each month? Even though they apparently do not reflect a real situation still would be nice to follow the successes of USCIS in eliminating of long delays.

March 22, 2008 7:52 PM

Mr. Gonzalez once again you may not be telling the real thorough, I heard from officers who went on TDY to Texas Service Center saying that they saw with their eyes how thousands of applications were placed on a secure room to be process later.

March 22, 2008 8:41 PM

Dr. Gonzalez, could you please get one of your staff to read and explain the CIS Ombudsman's Annual Report to Congress June 2007 to you?

Page6:

"RECOMMENDATION AR 2007 -- 01 The Ombudsman recommends that the Transformation Program Office: (1) Publish transformation timelines, goals, and regular updates on the public USCIS website. The Ombudsman is concerned that transformation is proceeding largely without input from customers, Congress, and the public. The lack of transparency enables USCIS to modify deadlines and goals without producing meaningful results.

(2) Establish transparency as a goal for USCIS processing and services. The agency provides minimal information to customers who often have long pending applications and petitions. The agency could make its processes more transparent, which would reduce inquiries to the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) and the need for INFOPASS appointments, as well as make available USCIS resources for adjudicative functions."

What have you done about that, Mr. Gonzalez, other than arrogantly ignoring it?

Page 7:

"Just as USCIS is often an indecipherable organization for customers filing for benefits and seeking information on pending applications and petitions, USCIS remains opaque for stakeholders, Congress, and a public concerned about agency accountability. "

Page 7:
"USCIS does not make available to the public the number of cases pending longer than six months – the definition of case backlogs. Shifting definitions hinder congressional oversight and prevent stakeholders from fully understanding whether the agency is meeting its goals to provide timely and efficient services."

Wouldn't it be right to describe you as "Shifty" based on that?

Page 13:
"Total Pending Cases NOT Included in "backlog" as of March 2007:
1,316,740". That's One Million, Three Hundred and Sixteen Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty."

Why are you fudging numbers to Congress to claim performance, Gonzalez?

Page 13:
"The separate USCIS FBI Pending Name Check Aging Report of May 4, 2007 indicates the pending number of FBI name checks for both green card and naturalization cases has increased to 329,160. "

Page 13:
"From numerous visits to USCIS facilities, the Ombudsman has observed that adjudicators prefer to work on the cases that are easiest to complete. Adjudicators pick the “low hanging fruit” first because supervisors base performance evaluations on the number of cases completed. Consequently, adjudicators put aside the most difficult and time-intensive cases. These cases remain pending, perhaps for years, while backlog reduction appears generally to be succeeding."

Why should we have any confidence in leaders who allow that sort of fraud, while claiming that you process strictly on a filing priority basis? Who can believe that you are a fair or honest leader?

Page 14:
"RECOMMENDATION AR 2007 -- 02 The Ombudsman has observed that newer cases are processed more quickly while cases more than six months old are increasingly backlogged. The Ombudsman supports the USCIS drive to maximize case completions, but attention needs to be directed at clearing older cases. The Ombudsman recommends that USCIS provide a clearer picture of the current backlog by providing information on the number of pending cases by form type with receipts that are: (1) less than 90 days; (2) less than 180 days; (3) less than one year; (4) less than two years; (5) less than three years; (6) less than four years; and (7) greater than four years."

Have you done that, Gonzalez? If not, why not?

Page 16:
"CASE PROBLEM A green card application filed in late spring 2003 with a service center remains pending. The applicant filed his fourth EAD in the fall of 2006. In January 2007, the applicant needed the EAD to continue employment, but had not yet received it more than 90 days after filing. As advised by USCIS, the applicant visited the USCIS field office to obtain an interim EAD. At the field office, USCIS told the applicant it no longer issues interim EADs. USCIS gave the applicant a form to request an interim EAD, which the applicant filed with the service center but received no response. 28 The applicant contacted the Ombudsman in February 2007. The applicant’s green card application remains pending, while the interim EAD was approved late"

Hardworking, caring employess and competent supervisors, Gonzalez?

Page 20:
"RECOMMENDATION AR 2007 --03 Currently, USCIS provides processing times based on agency goals, rather than actual processing time as it previously provided. In addition to the agency’s responsibility to be transparent, green card applicants in particular should know if applications will be processed within 90 days, rather than the 180day target time, to avoid applying unnecessarily for interim benefits. The Ombudsman recommends that USCIS return to providing the public with actual processing times for each field office"

Makes sense? Have you implemented that, Gonzalez?

Page 21:
"CASE PROBLEM An applicant received her green card in 2006 after a two-year delay. However, the name on the green card contained typographical errors. The applicant promptly returned the green card with an application for a new card using Form I-90. A month later, the applicant received a notice that the fee was waived for the I-90 because the errors were USCIS’ mistake. However, the I-90 receipt notice stated an incorrect city for the applicant’s residence, despite the correct city noted on the I-90 application. The applicant called the NCSC and was advised that the information would be forwarded to the appropriate USCIS office and that future communications would be sent to the correct address. Two months later, the applicant received another green card, but it contained a new typographical error misspelling her middle name. The applicant had to restart the process filing another Form I-90."

Competent, attentive, hard-working, caring employees and competent supervisors deserving rewards? Or goof-offs who should be kicked out?


Recommendation from me:

Spend more time working on the job you are paid to do, Gonzalez, and less time whining. Obey the law of the USA. Demand performance, not excuses, from your subordinates. Quit fudging and covering up.

March 22, 2008 8:49 PM

I filed my 1-130 Petiton for Alien Relative in January 2000. I only received my "receipt letter" on 2005. I am still waiting for my finger-printing, interview and green card on this application.
That is 8 long years of waiting for it. What is the USCIS explanation for it?!

I filed my 1-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker in August 2004. I received my Work Permit (without the right to travel overseas...why is that?!). I was finger-printed in August 2007, and I am still waiting for my greeen card.
What is the USICS explanation for this delay?!!

The lenght of time that takes us to file a petition and have it approved, from beginning to end, is just unacceptable.
It is alway too much time...years goes by...our youth flies away doing a kind of work we never would do in our country, our hopes for a better life here fades, and our belief in the fair and efficient system desapears.
That is sad. Very sad.

March 22, 2008 9:14 PM

I think it's great that the USCIS director is willing to communicate so directly and openly on such a sensitive topic.

Until today, I wasn't aware that DHS had a blog. I'm both surprised and impressed.

Thank you Director Gonzalez and Secretary Chertoff. We all look forward to future posts.

I'm going to link to the Leadership Journal from my blog over at The Visa Bulletin. Your blog is a great way to control public relations, and someone at DHS deserves a raise!

March 22, 2008 9:15 PM

I applied for US citizenship (N400) on August 2005, passed the interview on December 2005, took a biometric fingers print twice in 2005 and 2007, and I am stil waiting for clearance to become a US citizen. The USCIS always tell me to be patient to wait for the decision, frankly I don't know why I have to wait for so long while a lot of people become US citizen just only around 18 months!

March 22, 2008 9:17 PM

My experience in dealing with USCIS leaves no doubt in my mind that New York Times is very right in its assessment.
I have been a victim of USCIS ignorance and high & mighty attitude for the past 8 years.
My I-130 approval notice was sent to wrong address inspite of getting the address changed 2 months before moving. Everytime I spoke to "the all knowing" USCIS phone personnel I got a different answer. After waiting for 6 months I finally had to shell out more money to get a duplicate approval notice then I had to apply for my I-130.
For 3 years my I-485 application was sitting at USCIS without any action all while USCIS made money on EAD and Parole applications. Finally, I filed a Writ of Mandamus case against USCIS. When USCIS finally realized that they are going to lose the case, they decided to approve the application. Interestingly, the approval notice came within 5 days of district judges order to dismiss the USCIS response.
New York times has everything to loose by printing a wrong story, what has USCIS to loose? Do we have another option if we want to become US citizens?

March 22, 2008 9:22 PM

I read Gonzalez's testimony in January and I honestly thought things were improve and that things would move promptly around early February. I am really shocked that all of the items slated in the testimony to the subcommittee came after that backlog, not before it. This is not a free process, it is excessive and a hardship for many. While I understand the rush to process citizenship applications for the right to vote, what gets lost is the thousands of families that are separated in this backlog, for years at times. This is cruel, absolutely cruel. I will never, as long as I live, forget being told by a cold USCIS agent that losing my unborn child and having to undergo the surgical removal of my child alone and without my husband is not an emergency. We are both devastated, depressed and suffering thousands of miles apart. In fact, she told me that because I am the petitioner, I am not allowed to need my husband in any way. It still plays over and over in my head as I try to figure out if they have just lost the humanity that is supposed to be a major factor in their work. I am all for the security checks; my husband and I are about as square as they come, but I think that USCIS has truly lost the faces behind the numbers in this tremendous backlog. I think it is a shame and the inefficiencies should be publicized. If this were a private company with this type of service, things would be completely different today. That's just my own personal experience. My heart and prayers go out to those separated families who often suffer severe stress over the extended wait times. I also pray for those who wish to vote, but I think the two are simply not comparable. I am just hoping to make it through each day.

March 22, 2008 9:43 PM

hello, will somebody comment on this issue... I have a current H1-B which is due for extension in july 2008 but since I have already obtained my work authorization las december 2007, I feel that I shouldn't be filing my H1-B extension but it seems that my immigration lawyer is trying to rip me off to have them file again and pay an enormous amount of their retainer fees, will somebody specially from USCIS help me out and give me a respond of what to do?? Help!!

March 22, 2008 10:20 PM

It is taking 7 years or more to process I-130 applications for people who want to legally enter the US. No wonder we have an illegal immigration problem. I "like" the politicians like Mitt Romney who say that the "illegals" need to get at the back of the line behind those attepting to legally enter the US. Such politicians clearly don't understand that USCIS is not doing the job. When I was in the corporate world, I was required to meet all of my objectives all of the time, not just some of my objectives some of the time. Poor performance usually meant an opportunity to visit the unemployment office - not an opportunity to continue performing poorly. The I-130 application backlog is abominable.

March 22, 2008 11:38 PM

Dear Mr.Gonzalez, Myself and many of my friends would be thankful if you can advise the Nebraska Service Center to clear all the pending I-140 cases before you leave for the happy retirement. TSC has been approving all the I-140 cases in a timely manner in a time frame 6 to 8 months, while NSC has been lagging behind 14months to 18 months for approval of I-140 in EB-1 & 3 categories, while there is good progress in EB-2 category these days.

March 23, 2008 12:47 AM

Come on Mr. Emilo T. Gonzalez. Enough already. You and people like you are lucky that you are working for USCIS. If you were working for any private company, then would get fired next day.

Every application is in Pending. You guys are very very slow. Please give us a favor and go back to school and take some classes of Project Management.

It takes one year to get travel document (I-131) which is valid for only one year. Please use your brain to figure out when applicant should reapply for I-131. NEXT DAY?

March 23, 2008 1:00 AM

I agree with all on the processing dates,Why is it not possible to update the web site in a couple of days??? One issue though the Texas SC had a processing date of May last month and April this month? How can processing possibly retrogress?? My I140 was approved in June, still no green card!

March 23, 2008 1:33 AM

Mr. Gonzalez, your organization is facing a significant credibility issue.

The 17,000 employees of your organization may be doing the best job they can but if management fails to predict or plan accordingly and asses correctly the impact of your decisions then you just made these employees job 10x more difficult.

In order to clear the organization name, USCIS should be confronted by Congress and the Senate in an open debate with questions like what exactly happened during the summer of 2007 that drove so many applications to be sent in only 2 months. Exact figures should be presented with number of the different application types and geographical sections vs same time period in 2006. Was the increase in the fees the ONLY reason for the large wave of applications ? if so why wasn't that taken in consideration ?

Why an applicant that has waited patiently for his turn, has to pay a higher fee and then wait 6 months longer than one that pushed out his application to the last moment, paid a lower fee and got his file reviewed faster. Where is the 6 months lead time promised for a a N400 with the higher fee. Is that fair ?

Your organization is the first government agency that an immigrant encounters in his path to citizenship. This makes a huge difference in the impression is left on the immigrant.

Why other western countries like UK that have similar or worse security and society challenges as US, manage to conduct the naturalization process in weeks vs months/years in US ?

And finally, didn’t US history showed enough examples that immigrants are vital for the US economy stability and growth, technology leadership and consequently for the union security ?

March 23, 2008 2:01 AM

Well, I see that most of us have been waiting a long time. My petition was approved back in 1996 and I am still waiting because I am on the 4th family category.
It does not look like it is going to happen any time soon. It seems like my oldest son is going to turn 21 (2009) before anything happens to that already approved petition filed by my brother, who is an active military officer.
I just hope that when my son petitions me, it won't take another 12 years of waiting!

March 23, 2008 3:30 AM

I have been in the US for more than 17 yeras. My I-485 which I filled in 1999 is still in pending. Every year I visit USCIS by using info pass, and every year I get the same SINGING SONG your application is pending.

I think I will become US citizen after spending 50 years.

Thank you Mr. Gonzalez for your incompetency.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS IMMIGRANT

March 23, 2008 5:10 AM

My heart really goes out to the lady who lost her baby in this whole process which can be directly related to stress,I hope things go thru for you both soon. I know of someone who was told that you made the decision to marry a foreigner so deal with it, are these calls recorded for quality purposes because I myself manage a call centre in the UK and I cannot imagine any of my staff saying that to my customer but yet we look up to the US as being big on customer service. Your USCIS staff are a shame and they have definitely lost the human side of their heart.

I really read with interest the views of people on here and this is just a tiny fraction of what people are going through, the worst are those going through with their returned petitions which just get dumped into a warehouse(yes quote me on that) and all they keep getting is referrals which never get looked at by anyone. As a leader Gonzales has definitely failed, he deserves no credit whatsoever because you don't try to effect change in a organisation without thinking it out. Can you not look back at great leaders and see what they are remembered for....Emilio, what will you be remembered for? What legacy have you left behind other than making law abiding citizens suffer for your poor and pathetic performance in your time as the head of the USCIS.

This last few moments of your time in the USCIS will definitely hunt you for a long time, this will definitely not be the exit you hoped for and I hope you enjoy your time with your family remembering the families you have destroyed due to your poor management qualities and lack of leadership.

I know this will not be printed and it's not like anything on this forum will be looked into...too bad but the US immigration is the 21st Century slavery and I really feel sorry for its citizens.

March 23, 2008 7:41 AM

How pompous can the director get? just improving the office doesn't help the situation. Think about it, do you want applicants to be sitting and wasting time while noone has a clue about the casework or what the issue is. I have waited for I130 to be processed for now 240+ days, try putting your son/daughter or self when having to be split from your family inspite of beng law abiding, tax paying, respect for the due process.
its plain ignorance and pompous attitude displayed. The website reads "Protecting America" - should n't it be empowering america? the strength of this country was on the fundamentals of a transparency and respect of individuals and not to be treated as another lost casework.

March 23, 2008 9:01 AM

I applied for my green card in 2003. I am still getting throught one request for evidence after the other. CIS claims it's a benefit, but to them it's a benefit they don't want to give. Only recently they descoped the requirements for FBI checks which was putting people 2 years or more hehind in gettin the "benefit" It's a shame that people who love this country have to reach a point of discuss before they get that benefit they are entitled to. If you think this policy is fair, look up the policies of other countries in absobing hard working and ambitious immigrants

March 23, 2008 10:30 AM

Let's see Mr. Gonzalez's numbers. 17,000 hard-working employees plus 1 incompetent boss who keeps one employee occupied writing Leadership Journal articles = 16,999. 1999 agents for giving callous answers to taxpayers. Leaves 15,000. 5000 to conduct raids, etc. and terrorize poor people. Still leaves 10,000 to read and process applications. Let's say 5000 of those work 2000 hours a year (except for the BLOG admin here who seems to work on Saturdays and Sundays, thank you!) That's 10 million person-hours per year. If it takes them 2 hours per application (WHY? it should take only 5 minutes!) that's 5 MILLION cases completed each year.

Where is the resource shortage, Gonzalez? What are you guys doing, who are paid to run projects efficiently? Maybe CIS' problem is that it has only 100 useful workers, and 16,901 bungling bureaucrats bullying and obstructing them. Get out of the way, Mr. Gonzalez. Please.

Yes, we commend the few, the proud, the good and hard-working employees of the CIS.

March 23, 2008 10:49 AM

How can you get offended by truth? I applied in June 2007 before the change of fees and load of work and my sister applied end of July 2007 and she have already had her interview taken and I am still waiting. When you inquire about your process, all they send you is we're checking your background. What was USCIS and FBI doing for past 10 years I have been living here? You can talk about how your homeland security is the best and need to check backgrounds BUT I think your system sucks from even third ward countries. Atleast over in third ward countries, somebody takes responsibility and tell you exactly why your application is stuck. Over is America, nobody accepts responsibility and nobody gives you exact answer. You don't process applications on right time and have one excuse for it that "Homeland Security is verifying your background" That means anybody can live here for years and do any illegal activity by the time your homeland security catches that person, the damage would have been done. That's how great our Homeland Security is. You can't catch criminals and harass rightful residents who pay taxes and obey all the laws of this country. This is the violation of human rights in this country. Presidents can waste money on war and have our troops killed over in Iraq, then send loads of money over there BUT can't serve the residents over here who pay taxes. What kind of laws this country have? Well, Mr Gonzalez you can defend USCIS however you want but it is clear that the process of USCIS are absurd and don't have any process that work. I am so disappointed in USCIS and have lost faith in this government. I even know people who have been waiting for green cards from last 7 years and citizenship from last 2 and half years, what do you have to say to them Mr. Gonzalez? Give us response.

March 23, 2008 12:39 PM

The NY times may not be accurate !
but I am an icu doctor waiting since Sept 2006 after filed N400, No respect No reply from USCIS, they just sent my file for Name check for years!, again I am an icu doctor and cannot have my family here till USCIS wake up! I know another doctor who left already, I am on my way to leave this country, the USCIS operation is slower and has no respect to new immigrant and I am waiting for big action against it ! My real name is shukri abdullah and search me on google...this insulting treatment to me by USCIS and to 700,000 like me waiting for many years for name check to jion our families and kids is not respect nor it help secure America, I am treating hundreds of patients all night in the icu in California all night and the USCIS sleeping on my application for many years to do my name check to see if I am a terror suspect?
Bye Bye USA, cannot stay in this country away from my family in Libya !

March 23, 2008 3:02 PM

The USCIS system is a joke! I applied in December under fiancee' Visa and three months later I am told they are working on August. In other words it will take them over eight (8) months to even look at the application. Try keeping fiancee's apart for almost a year and see what it does to the relationship. And for what? Who are they protecting. Me from my fiancee? What a joke! SHAME on my government for the incredible inefficiency. Stop protecting me and let me marry who I want. It is my choice who I bring into this country as my wife not the governments!

March 23, 2008 5:38 PM

Mr Gonzalez stepping down is a good riddance. Your legacy is nothing short of ineptitude, lethargy and mafia-like spin of figures to mislead congress.

You are an enemy to millions of families who are in anguish and separated from loved one by USCIS failures; righly you have played your part.

Your response is spin not fitting any comments

March 23, 2008 5:43 PM

I filed and I-131 for my wife and found out there is something called V-visa. One of the condition for V-visa is that I-131 should be filed before Dec 2000. Till now service center and state dept shows that they have already processed I-131 till 2005. So what is the use of V-Visa. This condition need to be revised. Lot of people are living without their wives and childern and want to live with them. Life act should give life otherwise what is the use of making such useless law.

March 23, 2008 7:52 PM

USCIS had promised to Congeress to reduce the processing time to 6 months for all the applications by december 2007. They increased fees for this purpose. Now we paid fee 300 times more and we are getting this excuse that USCIS received 350% more applications. Why we have asked to pay such high fees if the result is same. Had USCIS failed to project the future backlog? how come after one month of fees hike the backlog increased without counting in projection. Is it poor planning of USCIS? USCIS should pay money back or should meet promise of 6 month processing period.

March 23, 2008 8:03 PM

USCIS is the wooooooooooooorst ever. I couldn't believe what they are doing to millions of people. This is the new slavery of 21st century. Mr. Gonzalez I just want you to know that you will not be missed. I want also to let you know that God knows how much pain and suffering you caused to us and our families. Happy retirement and I hope you always remember that you succeeded to make millions of people miserable.

From someone who has been suffering for 3 years.

March 23, 2008 8:42 PM

I have been waiting for my I-130 to be processed for ever now. My husband and I are apart for 7 months, I can't go to where he lives now since I have job, school etc going on here, and he cannot come here as a result of this delay in the processing. I check the website for an update on the processing dates, but I believe no progress has been made by the USCIS.
I am very disappointed.

March 23, 2008 9:40 PM

This is the third year since I petitioned for my wife and to date we see each other only a couple of times a year. According to my wife, "we are among the multitudes united by God, but separated by uncle Sam."

I have resolved to recoup the power sceded to USCIS by speaking directly to the lawmakers. I am asking all the people I know to write or call the lawmakers asking for a review of the standing law. For I130 petitioners, we need an exception law that permits our loved ones to visit us here for designated length per year. I have submitted the following letter to the ombudsman and my state sanator's office.

The lawmakers pay attention only when they hear from a considerable number of their constituants. Pick it up and ask those in your circles of influence to call and write both Representatives and Sanators.

Honorable Representative/Sanator:

Realizing that the issues you raise receive attention in the deliberations that take place concerning immigrations issues, I am requesting your advocacy for a humanitarian exception allowing a family member under I130 petition to visit their loved one for two to three months per year while awaiting adjudication of their petition.

I am one among many enduring the pangs of separation from my family. It’s been three years now since my wife and I got married, and have yet to spend a single month under the same roof. As of this day, there seems to be no relief in sight.

My question is simply this: “How long must a family remain separated while awaiting this seemingly endless process?”

Here are some realities for your consideration:

Petitioners for family members are people who have chosen to take the high road regarding immigration.

In the event that a spouse visits, they have more to lose by breaking the law if she/he were to over-stay their allocated visitation.

Their desire to be lawful participants of this country would not permit them to contravene stated immigration regulations especially after lengthy investments into the process. Moreover, a spouse’s visit would not impinge on any social welfare resources, since petitioners are fully employed and quite able to support their own families.

It makes economic sense to have a mentally present employee on the job than one who visits his/her family for a two-week period annually and then succumbs to the misery of separation for 50 weeks while he/she waits for the next two week visitation.

Statistics indicate children thrive better in a two-parent home. The immigration-separation is effectively fostering single parent homes which will result in a negative impact on the American society as these children finally settle here.

Please, ask the Congress to deal humanely with my segment of population whose voice is muted and forgotten.

March 24, 2008 12:54 AM

Funny enough the Directoris not particularly correct, adn exagerates how the agency uses the money. For example: the article itself. Man hours of public relations employees, collecting data, and webmasters was used. I agree that the agency claims to be working on the matter and "predicted" the surge. Nevertheless, if not just delayed substnatially ont eh citizenships, it is more delayed on all other applications. Makes you wonder if the man hours responding to critizise a newspaper were worth it. I also wonder which rule in the CFR authorizes the use of resources to respond to a newspaper. Once again, another abuse which causes delays.

March 24, 2008 1:27 AM

i, myself filed an i 485 based on marriage , went to the interview , everything was aight , it last like 15 to 20 mn , and the interviewer introduce her self and ask me for my passport and wrote this "i 485 pending , cr 1 ....her name etc'' and after she told us that she will send us a letter its been 3 month now that we are waiting for it and nothing , sometimes they just act like they dont care with that amount of money that we paid to see a fair processing time . i went there with an info pass but they was not helpful either let me see the lady who interviewed us , i dont know what to do ,

March 24, 2008 3:50 AM

completely agree with John...."I agree with what has been said by the Director, but this is what i think:-
Those application filed last summer whose EB (visa nos) remained current since August 2007 should be identified and approved at the earliest and not put in the queue along with other EB cat which are retro."

March 24, 2008 8:02 AM

Mr. Gonzales, your explaination is in vain eventually. My priority date is way back in 2001, however, I see cases in late 2007 even some of in 2008 were approved, please explain that to me if you like. And I don't think employees in your orgnization are CAPABLE of doing anything in logic except creating more chaos, frustration to the applicants who are the tax payers for many, many(maybe more) LIGHT years like me, I will at least TRIPLE the productivity in your department if I have the opportunity to replace you as the head of the USCIS, of course I have to do my job under H1-B1 VISA and I can finish your job as Exceptional Alien(EB1). Good luck.

March 24, 2008 12:07 PM

Mr USCIS.
It's black and white.You said higher fees shorter processing time and we did what you exactly asked to do,paying almost double for petition and applications hoping to be processed faster than what it was.
Now you are saying bla bla bla.... because bla bla bla.....
If someone does this in any other organization, it would be called fraud and 100 other criminal title and they would be prescuted over night but you are getting ready to enjoy your retirement. If you would be still in Cuba waiting to join your family or waiting for your naturalization processsto get the job you currently have would you accept what you are bla bla blaing.

You should refund the money USCIS over charged applicants and just for having a little of taste what is happening to others, should be re- naturalized and be placed to the end of the line for naturalization process, then you might feel what I am talking about.

March 24, 2008 12:20 PM

Give me a break director, i have filed for my spouse on october 2007 and i still have not received the so called "receipt letter".I have spoken to 3 of your customer service agents today and all three has different ways of solving the problem. Basically they told me to wait and wait. How long do i have to wait director? It seems like i have to wait for ever to get my spouse over here. Also do not tell me about your employees working evenings and weekends. Sounds like you are out of touch with the general public. MOST AMERICANS DO WORK 2 JOBS TO SUPPORT THEIER FAMILIES. ALSO A LOT OF PEOPLE WORK OVERNIGHT SHIFTS TO SUPPORT THIER FAMILIES AND HERE YOU ARE BOASTING YOURSELF THAT YOUR EMPLOYEES WORK EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS.GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!

March 24, 2008 12:31 PM

I applied in early 2006 and still has not received any interview notice yet. I was told that I am stuck in the FBI name check and there is no estimate as how much longer I have to wait. I have a co-worker who waited for 3 2/1 years and he finally filed a law suit and just got his application approved. OK, let's get this straight - if someone's name hits something in FBI's database, that means the person is suspected of some criminal act? - why not jumping on it and find out right away? Leaving the person for free for 3 years while he is residing in the United States, has access to everything other than the ability to vote, is not going to help with the national security.

March 24, 2008 12:37 PM

What a load of false claims for political consumption from Emilio Gonsales!! I haven't met anyone so far who thinks that USCIS is doing a good job. Here is my story:
I applied for adjustment of status “Green Card” back in July of 2001, and my application has been pending for more than six and half years! Had the immigration services adjudicated my application on time, I would have been a naturalized U.S. citizen since 2005. If and when I receive my permenant resident status, I should wait an additional 4 years before I can even apply for citizenship. As it is today, citizenship application process can take anywhere from 6 months to 3 or more years (not new information to many people). Accordingly, it will have taken me about 10-12 years to accomplish what can be accomplished in just 5 years. This is unfair and very inefficient from the immigration services. I called a senator and a congressman asking for help, but to no avail! Maybe if I was an oil company executive or a lobbyist, I would have found attentive ears. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is the most inefficient, presumptuous, and contemptible entity in the U.S. government that anyone can deal with. We need a major reform for immigration; not only paying attention to the illegal side of immigration, but equally important, the legal side. I feel USCIS is punishing people who are legal by subjecting them to excessive waiting times and increasing fees year after year without any improvement in processing. It seems that every time they get the backlog under control, they run it up again. It's so conspicuous.
It is indeed a broken system.

March 24, 2008 12:47 PM

Just want to appreciate the work of USCIS Staff doing after July / August 2007 floods of various applications into USCIS Office. They are worthy to be praised. One question comes to mind, before this, there were not so many applications and waiting time too long and now waiting time...can not imagine...There are 17000 emloyee in USCIS and assume there are 10000 adjudicators and could process at least one application per day, means 10000 per day and 250000 per month if they work 25 days so there should not be this much waiting. I umderstand they have to do some other work also but at least one aplication per day by an adjudicator. There should be goal setting for each adjudicator for a week and for a month and for a quater and for a year...so an uadjudicator will be responsible for achieving his goal. May God bless their efforts and grant them extra strength as they work on this huge task and eliminate backlog !

March 24, 2008 12:50 PM

Shame on you, USCIS and the director! I hold my Phd and have published more than 30 technical papers, unfortunately my company-supported EB2 has got stuck in USCIS for ages. It's been almost 10 years since I came to the US and it's been 5 years since I completed my PhD study, but I still don't see where my green card is. Well, everything will be fine now, as I'm accepting an offer and packing up my stuffs to go to China.

March 24, 2008 1:00 PM

I appreciate the hard work that USCIS employees put in. However, there is obviously an obviously failure on the part of USCIS leadership. Our I-130 has been "pending" for over 2 years now, file in Jan 2005. Now the I-751 has been filed for over 14 month.

March 24, 2008 1:42 PM

What is this guy, gonzalez, smoking, really?! I contest the claim that they've opened every important form. I'd applied in April 2007. I moved a few months later and submitted an electronic form telling them where I have moved. Still, they couldn't keep my address straight and kept on sending important information to the town where I used to live...even after I told them 3 times to get their records straight. The upshot: I'm still bitter and waiting, and wondering what gonzalez smokes.

March 24, 2008 2:09 PM

Are you kidding me? I have dealt with many government agencies during past 11 years. USCIS is absolutely the worst in terms of attitude and professionalism. I have friends applied for citizenship 2-3 years ago and yet still waiting.

March 24, 2008 2:12 PM

Mr. Emilio, just go to the page that show the Texas service or Nebraska service and still in february/07, come on, you should be on top of that, but no one care about our suffering, I am doing the same as the other people, packing my stuff and get a good offer in other country I am really tired of wait and wait...

March 24, 2008 3:10 PM

I commend the efforts of the USCIS employees, and I also have the feeling that Dr. Gonzales truly intended to improve the services of the agency. Now, there is no doubt that the prospect of fee increases contributed to the filing surge of last summer, but its effect must have been very minor compared to the real factor. THE REAL GRAND ERROR WAS THE OPENING OF THE FILING WINDOW, WHICH ALLOWED ALL PRIORIOTY DATES TO BECOME CURRENT. This error could also have been deliberate, though for reasons which I cannot think of at this time. Dr. Gonzales hardly mentions this error in his response. Well, what to do now? Firstly, I think that error demands serious investigation by Congress, so that responsible persons should take blame and/or displinary action. Secondly, there needs to be some corrective action in the processing of pending filings - the priority dates that were current before the error should be processed first, and if possible process the rest in that order. The fee increase could be excused as poor judgment or incompetence, but the real crime I think was the mysterious changing of all priority dates to 'current'.

March 24, 2008 3:17 PM

I posted some comment a short while ago, explaining the fact that the fee increase was not the real issue, but rather it was the opening of the filing window. This is just an addendum to support my argument. If the surge was caused mainly by the fee increase, we would have seen very little filing during the fall months, and the total filing for 2007 would have remained approximately the same as for 2006. But we all know that was not the case. The mistake that changed all priority dates to 'current' was the real culprit. I believe Dr. Gonzales knows within himself that blaming the fee increase is a safer excuse than admitting a major technical or administrative error led to this painful situation.

March 24, 2008 3:38 PM

Dear Mr.Gonzalez,
I sincerely appreciate all the hardwork and efforts USCIS has been putting to process our applications. But, I am must that its really pathetic that USCIS has not been able to deliver on what it promised. You increased the fees last July on the premise that applications would be processed faster, but there is no truth to that statement. My I-140 application has been transferred from one service center to other, but now even USCIS does not know where its pending. Also, you suspended I-140 premium processing on the pretext that you would reinstate after the receipting backlogs are cleared? Now that the receipting backlogs are cleared, where the I-140 PP? At the expense of EB petitions, you have been addressing issues for naturilazation. We would definitely appreciate and thank you, if you could reinstate I-140PP and also process I-485 applications sooner.

March 24, 2008 3:43 PM

USCIS is not doing a good job at all. I applied my GC application on Jan07. Although all the dates are current, USCIS couldn't give me the idea where my case is. My I-140 is approved on Aug 07. Not sure about any status of I-485. Called USCIS several times, went to INFOPASS, contacted via lawyer.....But NO updated status or answer from USCIS. They don't know anything. I am very helpless!

March 24, 2008 3:54 PM

Let us stop crying and push the Congress, senate and USCIS hard to figure out away to let our spouses getting in US till this mess/backlong is resolved

March 24, 2008 3:57 PM

All the workers in the uscis should take time to read all these comments, it's needless posting them if they don't read it.

If one is discovered ineligible for any benefit why not let him know immediately and refund him or her the hard earned money he sent to you. You don't have to exceed the time recommeded by the law for a benefit to be given to somebody. It's very wrong of you to stop given people the interim EAD card. the USCIS is really making people to look for under the table job in places like texas, calofornia, new york, etc. we need to support our families in this current economic situation in the usa. please act fast we don't want to break the law by looking for job without the EAD card. The processing of the EAD shouldn't exceed 90 days, anything outside this is unlawful.

March 24, 2008 4:01 PM

I am posting anonymously because I do not trust the INS and its descendants. I became a citizen mainly so I wouldn't have to deal with this branch of the government - which is not only inefficient and disorganized, partly due to understaffing, but also vindictive.

March 24, 2008 4:10 PM

All I want is to renew my NATURALIZATION CERTIFICATE because the old one was damage. USCIS is doing such a good job at CASHING MY CHECK. Hey!!!! Work before pay.

March 24, 2008 4:11 PM

I have taken the time to read most of the above comments prior to positng this response. My wife and I filed our N-400 Applications and were issued receipt numbers in May/2007. We were fingerprinted in June/2007. My wife was interviewed and Naturalized in January 11/2008. I have not had any correspondence during that time. As for many others,the only response I get to my inquiries is. "Application on Holding Pending FBI Background checks." The question I pose is this: Prior to receiving my green card in 2002 (Post 9/11) I was issued an FBI clearance. One would think that it should be easy to conduct a background check for the 5 year(2002-2007)period, as I was aleady cleared by the FBI and issued a green card. Also having worked in Law Enforcement for a number of years in Canada and the fact that I deal with Law Enforcement almost every day here in the United States, I can tell you it does not take 10 months to conduct background checks. Another fact is that most companies including Law Enforcement have a file turnaround system of some type. That is to say, whomever is assigned a case must do some type of work on that case is a certain period of time, if not the file is referred to a supervisor, for review. Now I know from working with the FBI that this is the case with field agents, it is called "File Reviews." Why is USCIS not requesting automatic updates on all the background holds that have been sitting here for long periods of time. I am making an assumption here, but I would guess that most if not all of these cases could be explained away if only the applicant were contacted and questioned about any issues. For example: 2 people same name, or many reasons. Instead, USCIS just allows these cases to sit around and never question the FBI about these cases. After reading many of the other blogs I see that 10 months is a relatively short period of time to wait, as may have been waiting for years. There has to be a better system to process applications in a responsible timely and secure manner, as well as keeping the applicat in the loop, so to speak. The website for case status update, is just inaccurate and does not work. If you check my wifes, remember she was naturalized January/08, her receipt numbers shows her application is still pending at the Texas Service Center. I wish, I had more constructive critizium but, No one either knows or will enlighten me as to just how the who system works. I have come to call the process "The Black Abyss."

I never thought I would be contemplating filing a law suit against the US Government, in my frustrated attemtps to have my case processed.

March 24, 2008 4:21 PM

Let's see... I played by the rules, paid my fee, and was patient. My thanks: lost fingerprints, lost documents, multiple follow-up calls to your staff (who tried to be as helpful as they could, give the nature of the agency), no responses to certified mail requests, and nothing after YEARS of waiting. All to the point when I just decided to chuck the original application and start over. With the 400 percent plus increase in processing fees, I'll be expecting (ha ha) a comparable improvement in case resolution.

The problem with your agency, since at least the days it was called the INS, is organizational dysfunction. You can throw new staff, new money, new computers and bogus new security theater measures at the problem, but ultimately the issue comes down to extremely poor legacy SOPs, flawed technology strategies and horrible forward planning. Add to that insufficient training for a clearly overwhelmed staff and insufficient coordination with outside agencies, and you have the USCIS in its current state.

Changing that kind of ongoing situation requires transformational leadership at the executive level. You, Dr. Gonzales, have joined a long list of Directors over several administrations who have FAILED at that task. Whining at the New York Times and trying to juke the stats won't change that fact. Accept your FAILURE as a manager and executive, and move on.

I say this as both an applicant, and as someone with more than a decade's experience in high level management consulting. I have observed some poorly managed large organizations in my time, but the USCIS stands in a class by itself.

March 24, 2008 4:31 PM

I have to agree with the new york times!!!.. I have been waiting for over 2 years for an I129F. I have called, went to the office and even worte letters and all i get is "you have to wait" with no reason as why something that takes 6 to 8 months is now passing 2 years. I can't be with my finace and my life is in shambles. It is a violation of civil rights that only our government can get a way with. USCIS, talks about national security but you have people doing illegal things and they get away with it. We the people, who are hard working and being this productive members in our society seemd to always get the problems!! I can continue to write my opinions but it only upsets me more but someone needs to revamp the system!!!

March 24, 2008 4:52 PM

I appreciate what USCIS doing. However, waiting for years and years to get the decision from USCIS is very very very frustrating. I really appreciate the fact US welcomes immigrant but USCIS have to have very effective way to downsize the processing time. I think 1 year is pretty good waiting time frame to become US Resident or Citizen once you file the application. We have paid USCIS fees, we have paid taxes, we are obeying rules and regulations, we are qualified, talents people. We got our degree from US university - spent thousands of dollars in US education. And WHY DO WE have to wait years to years to become permanent resident. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING. When USCIS understand this frustration?? I thought they increased the fees because they want to reduce the processing time.

March 24, 2008 5:20 PM

Why there is a discrepancy in processing EB3 I-140s between NSC and TSC. Is that the people filed at NSC are out of luck? The processing time is never updated even so it doesn't make any difference as the time metioned are quite arbitrary in nature.. I have been waiting for my GC for past 5 years still waiting..

March 24, 2008 5:40 PM

The information above doesn’t reflect reality.
I filed my application at the beginner of May 2007, Boston office.
I still did not get an interview letter. Today is March 24 of 2008.
Sincerely,
One of the forgotten cases.

March 24, 2008 5:48 PM

Emilio,

I have waited now 7 years for my green card, after being in the US legally every day of the last 15 years!!! You tink the Times has it wrong? You work for the USCIS and you do not know that USCIS is the slowers immigration authority on the face of the planet! The molasses tempo will kill the US economy. I hope at least you have some idea of the kind of talent applying for H1-Bs and green cards. You keep thinking how great you are, while I pack my bags for communist China, or maybe London, cause there is less red tape there...

March 24, 2008 6:17 PM

Been working with statistics and reports all my life, I wonder how the PROCESSING DATES report is built.

TSC Processing Dates report dated as Feb 15 2008, shows "I-140 Multinational Executive" being on June 26, 2007.

It means that at least ONE young case, was completed, and it entered USCIS on June 26 2007?

If this is correct, then may be that the second youngest is from January 2007 or October 2006, nobody will know about it, right?

Or, perhaps there is a critical mass number, a percentage of the "cases to do", that once complete it triggers that particular date to the report.

That would make more sense.

Let say, when there is more than 60% older than June 26 2007 were completed, than that date appears at the report.

How the process dates really means for the USCIS Backlog?

Having only ONE case completed from June 2007 and other 50 thousand on hold, when the second youngest is from October 2006... is that good for statistics? Is that good enough to show that everything is being done in less than 10 months? Everything? 1 in 50 thousand is a little bit less than "everything".

Perhaps I got it all wrong. "Processing TimeFrame" as it appears at the report, probably may say; "we are sweeping ALL the cases up to this particular date.

But then, when the date shows June 26 2007, what is the real percentage of cases from June 1st 2007 were really completed?

Without this kind of information, people will only know that before the Processing TimeFrame date, it is impossible for their cases to be seem by an officer, but after such date, it is possible that their cases would be deal at any time, but nobody knows when, right?

I am just curious. How can one plan workload and man hours with this kind of statistics?

March 24, 2008 7:21 PM

Why do people think that civil service employees work hard? I've been there, I know, they don't. All you do is try to keep your job, you figure out how to minimize the work you do (very little) and then spend the rest of the time on "other" projects, some just go out for really long lunches, me and another employee ran a webhosting company, we answered support tickets all day instead of handling our true duties.

Don't assume your bureaucracy is working hard. They aren't, their jobs exist because lack of process control or lack of automation. The random letters you get are easier to send then to do the actual work.

March 24, 2008 7:34 PM

I DO NOT LIKE THE "TONE" OF MOST OF THESE PEOPLE CLAIMING THEY WANT TO BE "CITIZENS"? THEIR "TONE" MAKES ME WONDER IF THAT IS A SINCERE WISH............IT DOESN’T SOUND LIKE IT!

March 24, 2008 9:08 PM

Thank you Mr. Chertoff and all the employees at the DHS for your hard work!

I personally think we accept way too many applicants for citizenship as it is! With the number of “illegal aliens” we have……we don’t NEED any more applicants!

I think we should put a “freeze” on all applicants until we get the border under complete control!

March 24, 2008 9:12 PM

We definitely do not need any more immigrants here in the USA. And I do not like the rude attitude of most of them who think they somehow “deserve” or should “demand” a certain status from us.

Because the reality is: They do not deserve anything, and we do not owe them anything.

Thank you!

March 24, 2008 9:15 PM

Are you living under a rock? did you ever try to call USCIS your self? just pretent you are one of us and that you need some information to see what you get...
They might be working hard, butu it is too many case for too few people. Plus you huys are all about citizenship now, and forget about the people that are tryingto get their green card because tehy don't vote yet. but do you know what? they will one day. The system is broken, and something has to be done, do i have the solution? no, but i am not the head either. You are the one that raised all the fees, what for? show it now... If you go now the processing time is not even updated? what is up with that? today is march 24th and it is still February 15th... hhow accurate can things be????
to top it off there are million of tracking pages out there and we can see cases that are beeinga approved that do not follow any dates... what system does USCIS follows...?

March 24, 2008 9:56 PM

Please read this story:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/21/nyregion/21immigrant.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

March 24, 2008 10:16 PM

USCIS cant find my application that i have filed on septemebr of 2007.BUT THEY DID CASH MY CHECK.MR.DIRECTOR WHY DONT YOU ENTER MY INFO INTO YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM WHEN YOU TAKE MONEY OUT OF ME? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WORKING HARD ON WEEKENDS AND EVENINGS. BIG DEAL!!! HOW ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE WORKING OVERNIGHT SHIFTS? STOP ATTACKING THE "NEW YORK TIMES" AND PLEASE FIND MY APPLICATION.......

March 24, 2008 10:21 PM

Please Read this article “An Agent, A Green Card and A Demand for Sex” in NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/21/nyregion/21immigrant.html?ex=1363838400&en=68dec5bf354dcb45&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Ladies and Gentlemen: Now you realize why USCIS take so long to process a green card.

March 24, 2008 10:43 PM

Emilio Gonzales has absolutely no clue as to "who got it wrong"...the Times or he himself. If Gonzales has any moral character he should take back what he wrote about the NYT article. Patting your own self on the back is a very "government and bureaucratic" thing. I wonder how long Emilio will last with this kind of a "no result" oriented approach in the real world. The staff at the USCIS is one of the most incompetent in the whole world. I had the misfortune of visiting the New York local office and boy was that a treat!!! I noticed this one officer who was taking at least 10 minutes just to press the next button. And I didn't see his hands move at all...just in case he was wrapping up something from the previous customer. No sir, he was just plain lazy. He met with two customers for an average of 10 minutes in one hour and Emilio is patting his work force on the back??? The day I was there, an average of 10 windows were open and each of them was talking to about 4 people an hour. That is serving 40 people an hour...a good stastic for Emilio to go to the Congress with...but if you took an "exit poll" of those 40 to see if their problem got resolved...and healthy 90% would say no. And I say this because you could easily make out from the faces of the people leaving that they just wasted at least 2 hours of their life.

March 24, 2008 11:12 PM

I have applied for N-400 in October of 2006 still keeping my fingers crossed waiting for an interview. I cannot talk to an individual and get correct answer. I have had infopass and customer service calls nothing seems to move the case. Approaching the elected leaders does not help either. What do we do other than wait????????????????????????????????

March 24, 2008 11:28 PM

I am really concerned about the misleading feedback from the USCIS officers who fail to give a straight forward feedback to the N-400 applicants. I have not seen any consistent answer to what went wrong to freeze the citizenship application at the time of the interview. I am also concerned about the blame game when processing citizenship applications. GIVE ME A BREAK USCIS

March 24, 2008 11:35 PM

Director Gonzales is taking the last parachute and bailing out, leaving the other 17,000 USCIS employees to figure out that the plane is going to crash. It will take awhile, because they will expect endless flight plan change forms to be filed. Communications will be sparse, and ground control will hear a bewildering “Call us in 90 days to find out if anything has changed.” reply trying to guide them in. Emergency crews will never receive a “Notice of Action” to mobilize them to look through the wreckage for survivors. But the USCIS workers will at least get posthumous benefits to be buried in the United States because of their service to this country.

March 25, 2008 1:01 AM

Sirs:

Every immigrant I've ever met loathes the INS. This was the case before you were absorbed by the dysfunctional and unfortunately-named "Homeland Security", and is the case now. Your agency is mean, arbitrary, unaccountable, disorganized, and sometimes dangerous.

The stories I've heard from visiting students and academics are continuous and troubling.

I don't doubt you have many kind and competent employees working there, however, the impression one gets of the agency as a whole is very poor.

I look forward to a new president who will overhaul the entire department and use reason and competence as a basic for running it instead of ideology and inefficiency.

And on a related note, it will be nice when we no longer have the head of a multi-million dollar agency saying he has "a gut feeling" (Chertoff). Sad.

March 25, 2008 1:34 AM

We applied for an EB1 in September 07. we put thousands into the application, we were for starters misinformed by USCIS. we were told we could premium process the application in 15 days when in fact we couldnt. we were told the process would be 4-6 months which is isn't! how can anyone come on here and protect what the USCIS is doing.

we're a hard working family, and as a parent i want the best for my kids, we have dreamt for years of living and working in the US and whilst our application is still pending now nearly 7 months on, our whole life is on hold. the way it is looking at the moment suggests a very long wait

they should have a system where they are working 24/7 7 days a week including holidays to clear the backlogs instead of making excuses all the time. they have spent the last five months limping their way through june!

March 25, 2008 2:30 AM

Well, there is merit in both the versions but the fact is that USCIS aka DHS aka INS is a government organisation that over promises and under delivers.

The Director and others justified the huge fee increase by promising faster processing but that is not evident currently. The Customer service has improved but that actually means lip service has increased. There is someone on the phone now who is pretty polite and utterly useless. They just answer the phone and tell you that they will look up the answer. Sometimes, they will actually put the real USCIS Officer on line after repeated requests. They will tell you very pompously that they could not help you!

In my experiences with the service, I feel that they are highly inefficent. There is a lot of repetition in the processes which adds to delays.

What the Director should focus on instead of defending his workforce is as follows:

1. Hire private (aka Corp. America) Process Management Consultants to design efficient process flows.

2. Privatize / outsource as many functions as possible which are not security related.

3. Hire qulaity people and fire bottom 10% of non performing staff. Obviously, pay better compensation to qualified people.

4. Donot make empty promises and establish turnaround time frames that you can not fullfill.

March 25, 2008 3:09 AM

I am a US citizen living abroad and have filed the N600K form on behalf of my son. The process of trying to arrange an interview in the United States is frustrating to say the least. We were given six weeks notice of the interview date and were not able to travel - that was September 2007. We are still waiting for an acknowledgement of our letter; it seems the only way to schedule interviews for N600K is by mail. One would think that this process would be more efficient using INFOPASS. So, I'm not surprised to read the overwhelming criticism of USCIS. I'm sure that staff at USCIS Service Centres are doing their utmost to process forms as quickly as possible, unfortunately it appears that USCIS systems and procedures do not support them.

March 25, 2008 4:35 AM

exactly what is the timeframe for spousal i-130?i've been waiting for almost one year and still no answer.i'm drowned in debt and almost homeless even thoyugh i work so hard everyday. i have 4 children to support and they are suffering . they need thier daddy.you see, i'm not just a number, my neighbor had the i130 approved in 4 months onlyy.
I NEED JUSTICE!!!! JUSTICE!!!!! JUSTICE!!!. I'm dragging!do you have any idea you are killing me slowly by slowly. what will happen to my children if I die?!?

March 25, 2008 5:48 AM

Although Dr. Gonzalez claims to teach the "700,000 new citizens" the idea that America welcomes free and open debate, all we see here as "intelligent response" from the CIS to the many pointed, factual, logical arguments posted painstakingly here is a few spam posts like:

"We definitely do not need any more immigrants here in the USA. And I do not like the rude attitude of most of them who think they somehow “deserve” or should “demand” a certain status from us.

Because the reality is: They do not deserve anything, and we do not owe them anything."

The court cases demonstrate that Gonzales and his gang have the same understanding, respect and attitude towards the Constitution, the history and the laws of the United States, as that exhibited by these spammers.

Somehow that does not surprise me at all, it just reinforces the experience cited by customers of the CIS.

If the CIS wishes to come into the 21st century and actually give intelligent responses like the TSA tries to do, that would in itself be a major improvement. Unleashing the KKK on law-abiding taxpayers is not the way to go, dear CIS colleagues!

March 25, 2008 8:10 AM

Thanks for the link to that New York Times story. While avoiding the lurid details, let me point to some facts there: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/21/nyregion/21immigrant.html?_r=3&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

1. We read the story only because the victim had the sense to record the experience (couldn't have been done inside a USCIS facility) and went to the New York Times - it certainly did not appear in the "News Update" from CIS or
Homeland Security". It appears that the problem is not exactly unique - the NYT cites cases that have led to arrests in Atlanta, Miami, etc. as well.

2. From the article: "The agent arrested last week, (I deleted the name and demographics) handled some 8,000 green card applications during his three years as an adjudicator in the Garden City, N.Y., office of (USCIS).

OK, 8000 applications "handled" in 3 years, is 2667 per year. Doesn't say how many he actually approved, given his "standards". However, he does seem to have had all kinds of time to "reprocess" applications, set up meetings, ride around in a car with applicants receiving "services" etc.

There's one data point on a "hard-working" USCIS ADJUDICATION officer. And they want to do unending "name checks" on law-abiding taxpayers! I feel so secure already, knowing that such guys are employed by USCIS to "protect" us!

This sounds like a lurid version of "Inspecteur Renault" in "Casablanca" who also demanded similar services for visas.

Point is that even this guy did an average of more than 1 "processing" per hour. Validates the question someone asked above, why 17000 employees keep having such a monstrous "backlog" and such unending delays. Something just does not add up at this agency.

March 25, 2008 9:59 AM

And still..........the underserved keep "demanding" what is not "owed" to them.

We accept way too many applicants as it is! Let’s cut back! We already accept far more than any other country and we really DO NOT HAVE TO.

KEEP THAT IN MIND.

March 25, 2008 10:33 AM

The first priority should be to seal our borders; then give any military personnel who are not citizens and want to become one, their citizenship.

Only after all that should the USCIS even look at any more applicants.

Just because people keep "applying" does not mean the USCIS has to "hop too". It's up to the applicant to follow the rules if they indeed what to be a part of this country and should expect delays, when flooded with FAR TOO MANY applicants........you could always go apply SOMEPLACE ELESE!

March 25, 2008 10:40 AM

No one makes mention of the increase fees that have almost tripled in the past year alone. I help petitioners with thier application and was amaized by the turnaround times earlier in 2007. Now it is just a shame that CIS could not keep that up. So tell me why the fee increase. The director made mention of faster processing with the increase but is it really? Why does it take you two days to cash a check and forever to grant citizenship. My wife has been applying for a job with USCIS forever, she has all the qualifications but yet there are no open positions. What about the 3000 openings now.

March 25, 2008 10:53 AM

Another significant sign of the awful management is the mass exodus of all the experienced adjudicators(65%). Hiring people who have no clue is not going to fix this problem. DHS has breeched our safety pass the point of no return. They cater to criminals and hire directors and supervisors with no knowledge of processes and systems which breeds indifference and corruption. The culture of service has evaporated and enforcement is the impetus of this service segment. There is an anti-alien culture that prevades all the offices. A lack of respect for legal immigrants and those that are applying for benefits they have paid a lot of money to have adjudicated. At last report there are 3000 internal complaints that remain unanswered and ignored. There needs to be a signifcant house cleaning. This mess is no accident.

March 25, 2008 11:23 AM

MY WIFE AND I SPENT ABOUT $20,000 DOLLARS IN THE PROCESS OF TRY TO OBTAIN THE GREEN CARDS.WE PUT A LABOR CERTIFICATES ON MARCH 30,2001.ON APRIL OF 2003 HAS BENN APPROVED THEN WE PUT IN A REQUEST FOR THE EAD WORK PERMIT THAT HAS ARRIVED BY AGUST,2004.THAN IN APRIL,2005, WE RECEIVE A LETTER FOR FINGERPRINT .WE WENT TO THE APPOINTMENT AND NO PROBLEMS.WE DECEICED NOT TO REQUEST ANOTHER EAD CARD.THEN REALIZING THAT WAS IN NEED TO GET EAD CARD .I'VE APPLIED BUT THE IMMIGRATION DENIED STATED THAT OUR I-140 HAS BEEN DENIED.WHY THEY DID NOT TOLD US IN FIRST PLACE.FOR USCIS CONVINIENCE THEY DECIDED NOT TO DISCLOSURE THIS INFO UNTIL WE WOULD SPENT MORE MONEY FOR THE EAD CARD FEES.THAN ALSO THE I-485 FEES OF $2,790 + LAWYERS FEES OF 4,000 DOLLARS .THEN ON NOVEMBER,2005 THEY SENT US A LETTER THAT EMPLOYER WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPEAL ,NOT US .WE SPENT MORE MONEY AGAIN ABOUT $1,185 + LAWYERS FEES AND AFTER NOVEMBER,2005 AND JULY 2007, THE LAWYER INFORMED US THAT I-140 WAS APPROVED.THAN WE HAD TO PAY ALL FEES FOR I-485 AGAIN ABOUT $2790 + LAWYER FEES AS WELL AGAIN ABOUT $4,000 AFTER WE BEGGING OUR LAWYER TO LOWER HIS FEES.AFTER A SHORT CONVERSATION WE DECIDED NOT TO APPLY FOR EAD DOC OR NEITHER TRAVEL DOC (131)FORM .SINCE JULY LAST YEAR WE WAITING FOR OUR PROCESS TO BE MOVED AND SO FAR NOTHING .WE LOST THE FAITH IN THE SYSTEM AND NOBODY WANT TO REALLY HELP US .MAYBE WE WILL PUBLISH OUR CASE IN A GREAT NEWSPAPER LIKE NEW YORK TIMES.GOD BLESS US.

March 25, 2008 11:31 AM

Have been waiting a year for our I-751 to be approved and all we can do is sit and watch while others that submitted theirs months later are approved before us. "First come first serve" is not accurate in the least. No one can give us an answer, not our senator, not the "customer service" line. As a US citizen I am horrified that our government seems to be running a system from the dark ages and I feel frustrated that I should have to go through such a nightmarish process.

March 25, 2008 12:09 PM

WE JUST SUE THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMNET !!!!! THEN THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT US HERE, WILL PAY A LOT OF MONEY FOR THE TIME THAT WE ARE WAITING!!!!!!!!!!! THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM!!!!

March 25, 2008 12:20 PM

I read most of the comments and 80%of the people disagree Gonzales.

USCIS doesnt have the time even to update the processing dates(which is a very simple thing).

Processing dates are ususally published every month 15th.Now its 25th and they havent published. I hope Gonzales sees this.

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/Processtimes.jsp?SeviceCenter=NSC

March 25, 2008 12:27 PM

USCIS is just superslow; they charge high fees but can't deliver... They incosistent and need reogranization quick. the director doesn't understand the hassells we have to go through!!!!

March 25, 2008 12:31 PM

well, lets see..where to start..
came here in Nov 98 already married to a US citizen. First time i filed they lost every sheet of paper i ever gave them, found that out when i went in to renew my work permit. The officer wouldnt take the receipt or the 3 year old cashed checks with all the government bank stamps as proof that i filed for my green card. He was nice enough to say he would check with his boss to make sure, i literally watched him walk around the back desk in the office, come out and tell me that his boss also refused it. Then informed me i had no proof of who he didnt talk to and was in no position to do anything for me.
Of course they told my lawyer a few days later that i should refile as the fees have of course gone up and by the time they would have found my file i would be doing this post from my retirement home. So in 2004, i did.
I got my green card interview in 2005, where the officer denied me for a misdemeanor when i was 16 in Canada ( almost 19 years ago). They told me that my wife needs to file for a waiver that says in her words why she needs me here. IF i could post the letter that we got in reply i would. to quickly sum the letter up, family means nothing, a father to his now 8 year old son means nothing as he has an uncle here in the US, financials mean nothing, be a single mother, get your own job with benefits and pay for your own mortgage. Your cancer-ridden mother will be just fine after she gets used to the fact that she has to move because you cant afford the mortgage on the 2 family home without your husband. Why do you need moral support from your husband when you have parents here in the US? etc etc etc... I dont ever want to hear again how this country is all about family, i have it in black and white in a folder that says in plain english that they could care less. But of course they are fine with my paying the fees, and the 25000 in income tax i pay in a year, and the home that i own, and the credit cards i have, and that i'm a great consumer with excellent credit.
so i file an appeal in June of 06..still waiting for any kind of answer, apparently it took 5 months for my file to get from NY to DC, i should have walked it there myself.
My new lawyer says the best thing that could happen is a deportation hearing since none of the 32 NY immigration judges would spend more then 5 minutes on this case before telling me to have a nice day and sorry for the trouble. That and they would actually have to do something with my file instead of letting it collect dust on the corner of someones desk.
So lets recap, i'm 10 years in to this, with lawyers and fees around the $10,000 mark, and i'm no closer to a green card. i have numerous friends who have been through this..horror story after horror story. but then there are people that i know who marry someone and that person has a green card in under 6 months. Guess it all depends on the pair of dice you pick up. Easier to find other ways in then to be a respectable adult abiding by the law and being an asset to the community? maybe.
the worst part is, i'm sick to death of being buried in useless red tape, i'm absolutely convinced that i am nothing more then a source of income, another fee for another year. they dangle the carrot, i pay the fee, a help pay someones salary. why give it up?

March 25, 2008 1:02 PM

someone said above: WE JUST SUE THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMNET

Nah, get real. My family sustained 15 years worth of humiliation and abuse from INS then USCIS, at one point we snapped and decided to pay up the lawyers to straighten stuff up. We checked with five (5) different lawyers in 2 states, everyone of them told us it's hopeless and they were not going to do it. One laughed into our faces, saying: "You guys, what?? Sue USCIS? Hahaha! Oh, excuse me. Not gonna happen..."

Relax, people, this godawful mess of immigration laws and practices is clearly by design; if American people were concerned enough about it it would have been fixed long ago. The truth is, nobody cares. Check this fact: there are 300 million plus humans in this country and growing fast - http://www.census.gov ! I remember times when we had half of our current population, some 150 million minus. This country is not made of rubber, the influx has to be stopped at some point and this point seems to be now, admit it or not. There is a prevaling sentiment of stopping any immigration whatsoever, and be truthful, you'll feel the same way once personally you and your family are here and all set and secure immigrationwise.

Consider it to me the test for your determination of becoming American. Early settlers had to battle Indians, unknown diseases, unknown food, climate, all the environment, that's after spending 6 months on the boat across the ocean. Conquering the US West in mid-1800s... So, calm down, all we have to do is to deal with this messed up insanity named USCIS, that's a better chance than fending off Comanche raids and having no sheriff and no fire team in the town, no tornado warnings, no federal aid...

In most ways we are much better off than in old Ellis Island days. We are much worse of than back in 1970s when you could get a green card in a month and become a citizen in a year, but heck, why didn't you came in back in 1970s then? Now it's a different ball game, you either play it as it is or you don't.

Rest assured there will be no improvement to the current immigration practices unless there is a sudden major shortage of people or if suddenly US becomes an unpopular destination. If the US popularity stays on the same level, if our population keeps growing, expect the treatment of new arrivals to become worse to much worse, a new head of the immigration agency may make you remember the days of not-so-speedy Gonzalez as blissful and sweet. The system is clearly designed so only most determined, dead-on American hopefuls will pass through it, so good luck on your jorney, stop whining.

/Hassan N. Albaroudi.

March 25, 2008 1:28 PM

First of all I am sure the workers of the USCIS are doing all they can to process applications as fast as they can. I have read all the horror stories on this board and I hope mine is not going to be one of them. As of now my only recommendation to USCIS is to update their processing times more often. I have a 1-129F application submitted in December 2007. I received a receipt letter promptly. My fiancé has lived and worked in the US, has a SS # and a degree from a US university, so I am hoping that the approval and background process is not lengthy. I do however wish the USCIS would set mandates for when applications will be processed. I am frustrated to see that temporary (non-US) workers receive expedited service over a US citizen requesting service from his government. My fiancé is a nurse and will also be contributing to the US just as these temporary workers. I will give the USCIS an opportunity to perform their services; however if my application goes beyond 6 months without any notice, I will be contacting my senators McCain and Kyle to request help on resolving any processing delays. I believe that USCIS should give preference to US citizens request prior to immigrant requests for processing applications. I understand it is a hardship for all who are waiting to come to this great country and I wish I could speed up every ones applications. However, it is worth the wait to come to the US. Thank you. A proud US citizen.

March 25, 2008 1:34 PM

I thank everyone who added a comment to this thread. I feel the pain for each one of us who went through this unsolved dilemma. Yes we as immigrants feel divided and isolated from the US society. Why?
It is this; my citizenship application is pending although my wife and my step child are US citizens. It is a shame when an ordinary clean record person has no right to get what he or she was eligible to get. I paid hundreds of dollars to the USCIS. It is a shame. Each one of us was punished for not passing an illegitimate security clearance. Each one of us lived here for at least 5 years and we are still considered suspicious aliens. It is a shame. I have a great emotional feeling towards this great nation, but I find myself under USCIS outdated excuses. I support each one who went through the legal way to be an honored US citizen. We all feel as one nation from day one each one of us merged in the US society. Does USCIS recognize this? Absolutely not since this USCIS empire would like us to be divided. Thank you and Good Luck to all of you future citizens.

March 25, 2008 2:00 PM

Wow!!! that is just a nasty nasty lie!! How you explained that same centers are faster than others? California service Center is the fastest one, while if you have the misfortune to filed with the Texas Service Center you would wait for decades before something happens on your case.. Ashamed in the system, every year they charge more for services and the services get slower by the minute! Promises!!! How long that it take to approve cases that only need the removal of conditions like the I-751?? How came that the extension letter NOA gives you a year extension, but then same government agencies like The Social Security number will not issue Socials with that letter? "We have different rules here on SS department", what they answered me when I lost my Social... of course they did not replace it! Ashamed on the system.... ashamed of the first world.

March 25, 2008 2:37 PM

To those who think like the following:

"I DO NOT LIKE THE "TONE" OF MOST OF THESE PEOPLE CLAIMING THEY WANT TO BE "CITIZENS"? THEIR "TONE" MAKES ME WONDER IF THAT IS A SINCERE WISH............IT DOESN’T SOUND LIKE IT!

By Anonymous Anonymous, At March 24, 2008 9:08 PM"

Ah, yes, the constitution says that only those applicants whose "TONE" you like qualify to be Americans! I very obviously must've slept through the civics classes. What is a sincere wish? Enlighten me please while I open the books. Maybe you're the one making a decision on our applications?

March 25, 2008 3:01 PM

"I think we should put a “freeze” on all applicants until we get the border under complete control!"

Nice going! You clearly fought alongside the natives back in the day!

March 25, 2008 3:03 PM

From the story about the "hard" working CIS agent in New York:

"Money, not sex, is the more common currency of corruption in immigration, but according to Congressional testimony in 2006 by Michael Maxwell, former director of the agency’s internal investigations,more than 3,000 backlogged complaints of employee misconduct had gone uninvestigated for lack of staff, including 528 involving criminal allegations.

The agency says it has tripled its investigative staff since then, and counts only 165 serious complaints pending. But it stopped posting an e-mail address and phone number for such complaints last year, said Jan Lane, chief of security and integrity , because it lacks the staff to cull the thousands of mostly irrelevant messages that resulted. Immigrants, she advised, should report wrongdoing to any law enforcement agency they trust."

Well, there you can see Gonzalez' fine leadership already:
1. How much attention CIS pays to taxpayer concerns. They can't find employees who can read English.. or is there a worse reason for closing down the complaint site?

2. How they have enough resources to pay Assistant Prosecutors in the Justice Department to attack the taxpayers who sue the CIS (see Judge's comments above) BUT they have "no resources" to even INVESTIGATE the thousands of serious criminal charges against their own corrupt and criminal employees who commit such heinous offenses. After all, dem aliens don't have no rights, eh?

I look forward to reading Gonzales' long-winded and shrill "counter-attack" on the New York Times for reporting this incident of heinous criminal behavior. Surely NYT got the "facts all wrong" - it was a pizza parlor where the guy was arrested, not a diner? Shockingly poor journalism, no doubt, eh?

March 25, 2008 3:08 PM

I believe if you migrate from European countries, then you become Permanent Resident within 3 years. However, if you migrate from Africa or any Muslim countries the it would take at least 15 years to become Permanent Resident. Europeans are lucky they become Citizen based on their ethnic background.

March 25, 2008 4:29 PM

I have read most of the comments above and just wanted to add my frustration with the INS. My sister who is a US citizen, filed for me in Jan. 2001. The INS webpage on processing times indicates that they have completed I-130 application for brother/sister up to Feb. 5, 2001 (past my date) yet when contacted they (INS) say my case is still pending. What does this mean .. how much longer must I wait to hear from them. My 2 kids (age 23 & 18) are both US citizens and have been living their since 2001. I miss them dearly and wonder just how much longer I have to wait since the website clearly states that they have COMPLETED I-130 applications for brother/sister filed up to Feb. 5, 2001 (7 years ago). My application was filed Jan. 26, 2001.

March 25, 2008 4:32 PM

I agree about alot of stuff mr. gonzales but you know it sounds so good and everything i tell u the truth i applied for my application I130 and my I485 back in may 2006 now where r in march 2008 i haven't gotten anything other than my employment card i finish my interview and everything else and i been waiting since 2006 however when i went to have the biometric taken i seen so many people in line maybe 90 to 100 old people young people children and where is the employees on a break right it was only 9.30 in the morning when i ask they guy who was taking my fingureprints how come there no body working other than u two he told me with a very nasty way there some called break bro what is that spouse to mean all the employees take break at the same time to chat out side the building i couldn't belive it i said ok mean while all these people treated like a low immigrant like a real alien i can never describe it i grew up in this country and i do all i can to help people i have a great job great family great family style but am tired of waiting for a letter that comes in the mail control my life .
my mother died in sept. 2007 i couldn't be there for her funeral i havent seen her for 8 years cuz i been waiting i was crying day and night and i called cis 1800 no. i told the officer the situation and i said i have a hope in you to help me out and god he told me god doesn't work here i got really offended specialy my mother was just passed away what can i say i have to wait like any one else

March 25, 2008 8:04 PM

Does the retiring Director know that many documents USCIS send to their customers are erroneous and can't be used for the purpose? One has to start again to get the document corrected and wait for another cycle of wait having no fault of their own. Has the quality of efficiency and American values followed the current economic recession? Do these erroneous documents not demand an immediate attention for the customers to get services for which they paid? Will the director please pay any attention to these plights?

March 25, 2008 8:16 PM

Much of the comments made so far represent a deep sense of frustration on the way USCIS deals with customers. Everyone however understands the extent of constraints that USCIS is facing because of the huge volume of pending cases and so everyone has the endurance to wait based on the processing time. But the stories of erroneous documents from the USCIS are really shameful to our nation's value system. Having no system installed to deal with these cases as an urgent agenda is adding more pains to the injuries. These guys have chosen legal paths to become resident and citizens of this great nation to serve our nation with dedication. They need more care and empathy than some of the USCIS staff are demonstrating. As an American I do appeal to director Gonzalez to leave a heritage of accountability that has been our point of excellence.

March 25, 2008 9:58 PM

USCIS folks claim that they don't grant anything based on race, religion, sex, etc. That is not the true case. If you review any citizenship ceremony names, you can find out that 80% of the new citizens are women, and 20% are men. That is not discrimination at all, right USCIS. Cool, I made my point.

March 25, 2008 10:01 PM

We definitely do not need any more immigrants here in the USA. And I do not like the rude attitude of most of them who think they somehow “deserve” or should “demand” a certain status from us.

Because the reality is: They do not deserve anything, and we do not owe them anything.

Thank you!

By Anonymous, At March 24, 2008 9:15 PM

NOTE: whoever said the above is a brainless person!!! 1st of all we all are immigrants. there is no such thing call pure AMERICAN! There is not such a thing American. yOU CAME out from an immigrant as well. So please do know the history before giving you thought. And i do believe that they should work harder to solve issues of ppl. cuz they r paying for it. Also do give extra thought to the applications of I-130 of those are husband/wife case. you guy will make their lives joyfull if they are able to live together. thanx

March 26, 2008 12:19 AM

my fiance hv been file i-130 since oct-2006, till now i didn't get any informs, i didn't get any mail from them, and i don't does it work, cuz uscis just send the mail to my fiance. and i still waiting, i don't know yet when i can get the informs and approve from uscis. we really miss each other, we never expect to wait too long, but now we wait for 18months already, i hope i can get the informs soon.

March 26, 2008 2:00 AM

The Best solution is to issue all USCIS a large red rubber "REJECT STAMP" and direct them to start stamping away as fast as possible!

That will clear things up in no time! :)

March 26, 2008 7:02 AM

The "you owe me attitude" of some of these should indicate a second LONG; LONG; LONG; look and extra scrutiny & probably a "toss" of their application........I would not want to have that person as a citizen in my country.

March 26, 2008 7:05 AM

The fees for being a citizen of the United States are very inexpensive in comparison to what you gain being a real citizen in the USA.

This country accepts far more than our fair share of applicants! You can always go someplace else if you don't like it.

What is the yearly maximum cap on applications?
THERE NEEDS TO BE A MAXIUM CAP.

If we have too many applicants FREEZE the applicants (for years, or whatever it takes!) until all other applicants can be looked over.

That is common sense. The United States is not in dire need of immigrants; it is the other way around, so we can afford to take our time to do it right!

March 26, 2008 7:12 AM

How many of these applicants overstayed their visas? And are now in violation of the law? That would be interesting to know.

March 26, 2008 7:27 AM

These people made a choice to come here.........it was never any secret about how long it takes to process an application; even "I" knew years ago how long it took! SO NO EXCUSE FOR THEIR LAME COMPLAINTS.

If you made the "choice" to come here; remember you can also make the same "choice" to leave.

Follow the rules. Follow the Laws. That is what good citizens do.

To the USCIS: Please take extra care and process these applicants with utmost scruitniy, don't make any left-wing media rush you for their agenda. It is much better to be safe than sorry! Especially with theses applicants!

Go USCIS!

March 26, 2008 7:35 AM

I believe that ordinary USCIS workers are very hardworking people and it is a noticeable that officers are polite and trying to be helpful (also often they can do nothing, but saying ‘Please wait.’).
Although, reading this blog and comparing with my own case I noticed that each delayed case (FBI name check) sounds very similar “Wife/husband got approved but spouse is waiting for name check results (for years)”. Looks to me this is not a national security issue at all. But the way USCIS found a way to mislead Congress and masquerade the real backlog as well as report their current progress. I do not want to believe in that but it just looks like that.

March 26, 2008 9:47 AM

Director Gonzalez
USCIS

Sir,
First of all I would like to commend you and the 17000 strong USCIS staff for the monumental accomplishments they have achieved in the last few years. Under your leadership USCIS has come a long way and we certainly feel sorry that you have to leave.
At the same time it seems evident for the outpouring of emotion and frustration on this comment blog and other blogs on the internet and stories in the media, that there is an obvious problem with the immigration system in US.
If you consider this blog a sample of what USCIS customers feel about the services provided, you can easily see that 10 to 1 it is felt that demand is not being met in an adequate fashion. Among all the negative comments on this blog, there are some appreciative comments and some really good suggestions to help improve the situation. I would like to summarize those suggestions and reiterate their request for your agency to seriously consider these options.

1. I am sure you are already aware of the huge backlogs in skilled immigration among other types of immigration applications. Most of us realize that a permanent solution for these problems would have to come through Congress. But that may take a long time. In the meanwhile as suggested by members of ImmigrationVoice.org, USCIS could ease the situation level of frustration among applicants by adopting "administrative fixes" to many common problems. Some of the options could be:
a) Recapturing of unused Visa numbers from previous years.
b) Issuing of Multi Year EAD's.
c) Issuing of Multi Year Advance Parole etc.

USCIS has sucessfully done some of this in the past and hopefully will do this again in near future to relieve some frustration among its customers. It is not a permanent solution but should be a good interim measure.

2. As suggested by someone USCIS has come a long way in adopting technology and the internet, but there is a lot more that can be done. Please make an effort as an agency to adopt more technology. Some one suggested using Internet Banking as a model where all transactions are logged and centrally available. I think that would be a great model for USCIS to follow and reduce the administrative headaches that come along with a paper based system. It would improve the efficiency of USCIS by leaps and bounds and would really reduce the time and cost associated with a lot of procedures.
Using electronic means to file, track and approve applications will not only improve efficacy but also help improve national security.

3. Also, it is evident that your agency with 17000 staff is still overwhelmed by the sheer volume of various immigration applications. Please make an effort to sincerely increase the number of staff so that the applications can be tackled in a reasonable time frame.

4. CIS Ombudsman Prakash Khatri did a great job recognizing the problems in the system and providing recommendations to improve the system. But if you read the transcripts of the responses from USCIS, you will find that majority of the meaningful recommendations were either not responded to or outright rejected.

Director Gonzalez there are families who are separated from loved ones from years because they are stuck in the system. Skilled workers are stuck in line for years, not being able to advance in their careers or start their own companies as entrepreneurs. Their spouses who are majority of the times skilled workers themselves are stuck at home not being able to work because of restrictions. There are hundreds of thousands of people waiting for their American Dreams to come true.
As a whole there are a few million applicants who are stuck and waiting for years to get on with their lives and contribute to this great American Society.

Please seriously consider adopting some of the above mentioned suggestions and you will notice that level of satisfaction among your customers will greatly improve. Instead of 10 to 1 negative comments, you would probably get 10 to 1 positive comments as an agency. It my humble personal request that please make a serious effort by taking some drastic measures to immmediately improve the situation.

Thank You.

March 26, 2008 10:39 AM

To whomever wrote this:

"Follow the rules. Follow the Laws. That is what good citizens do."

Sorry, brain-dead people such as yourself "follow" the rules regardless of their efficacy or the suffering that they visit on people. "Good citizens" work to change rules as part of their civic duty so as to make a better world for everybody.

March 26, 2008 11:21 AM

I like the following comments made by an anonymous reader:
"Follow the rules. Follow the Laws. That is what good citizens do.

To the USCIS: Please take extra care and process these applicants with utmost scruitniy (sic), don't make any left-wing media rush you for their agenda. It is much better to be safe than sorry! Especially with theses applicants!"

What type of rules you are talking about? Rule of making callous errors in the documents that you can't use after waiting without complain for years? Is it an utmost scrutiny to make errors as a standard practice? Is it our nation's standard? Should it be excusable at the cost of our embarrassment and insult to the new legal immigrants? Is it what we should be proud of?

Delay in processing isn't so much frustration if there is a rational system than an inexcusable mistakes for so called meticulous, caring and responsible USCIS agents. Let there be a specific accountability and treatment for expediting action in place for erroneous documents. It will uplift and maintain our values for which we are proud of.

March 26, 2008 11:23 AM

my case was under invistgation with ins for almost 5 years all my life was in risk of get deported or deny ...however ins never realy doing anything to my case ...they just keep me waiting thinking i will give up and leave the state ..they dont know my life is here my wife son family ....iwas in deep pain all this years cant found any one in ins feel me....now my case is over and i get my green card but my pain from ins stay the same i scare to even file the n400 cuse i dont want heart myself and my feeling more tanks to all

March 26, 2008 11:42 AM

WHO SAID THIS COUNTRY DO NOT OWE A THING TO IMMIGRANTS ARE BRAINLESS.ALSO ON MARCH 26,08,SOME COMMENTS ABOUT WE DON'T OWE THEM ANYTHING!THE CORE OF THIS COUNTRY IS BASED ON IMMIGRANTS AND ALWAYS WILL BE.JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE BORN OVER HERE DOES NOT MAKE YOU DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS THAT DOES NOT.WE AS IMMIGRANT NEED TO FIGHT TO OUR RIGHTS.UNIFIED IMMIGRANTS NEVER WILL LOOSE THIS BATTLE AGAISNT A SYSTEM THAT IS NOT FAIR AND DO NOT RESPECT ITS OWN CONSTITUTION.WE PAY FEES TO USCIS AND LAWYERS ,THEN THIS ABSURDS PEOPLE COME HERE TO SAY THAT WE DON'T HAVE RIGTHS.WE AS PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE US,ALWAYS FIGHT FOR OUR RIGTHS.DISPITE,IF YOU ARE ILLEGAL OR TRY TO BE LEGAL IN THIS COUNTRY.WE ARE THE ONES SHOULD START A MOVEMENT TO FILE A CLASS LAW SUIT TO DEMAND THE USCIS TO DO BETTER JOB AND AJUDICATE THE APPLICATIONS THAT STILL PENDING WITH USCIS.BECAUSE WE HAVE THE POWER AS PEOPLE ,AS IMMIGRANTS ,AS WHEVER YOU "AMERICAN IMMIGRANTS" INTENT TO CALL US ILLEGAL OR IN THE THE PROCESS TO BE LEGAL .WITHOUT THE IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME HERE TO ADD HOPE AND VALUE TO THIS GREAT NATION THIS NATION ITSELF WOULD BE NOTHING......RESPECT THE IMMIGRANTS IN THIS COUNTRY ,BECAUSE WE ARE AT SAME BOAT LIKE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK HERE IN THIS COUNTRY.

March 26, 2008 11:49 AM

I would like an explanation about how the Texas Service Center went back from May 07 to April 07 in their processing times? Processing times are not supposed to be the time of ACTUALLY PROCESSED applications?

March 26, 2008 12:02 PM

Dr. Gonzales,

It must be nice to be able to resign your position so you can "spend time with the family" while the agency you head does its best to ensure I do not.

It is getting old hearing clichéd excuses that this is the price to pay for extra security, security from what? Protect me from my wife?

September 11 has been used as a smokescreen for inefficiency and anything where an answer cannot be provided. Anti-immigration forces use it to display their bigotry as well.

USCIS tend to forget that you are dealing with people. The lives of these people are affected by the inefficient apathetic manner in which you do your jobs.

It is pity that USCIS is the first organization any new immigrant must encounter. That makes a real good impression of America! First impressions are lasting impressions and at this point I or my wife are not impressed.

March 26, 2008 1:25 PM

most of the USCIS employees are great and hard working, but the problem lies with Emilio and his leadership skills. Emilio has to understand this.

March 26, 2008 1:50 PM

i have been reading all of the comments posted here. I am one of the many applicants who are still waiting for my paper. I applied last january 2007 to renew my residency. I have my biometric by march, then everything stopped. I called the USCIS once a month inquiring about my paper and they gave me different answers to my inquiry. Then i found out from a friend that the case i filed "has not been processed at this time and will resume at an undetermined time" that is according to one of the USCIS employee.I dont mind the waiting but at least they could have told or sent me a letter that they stopped processing my case in order to process other cases. I understand their situation, but the question is do they?

March 26, 2008 2:24 PM

It must be educational and academic for senior USCIS policy makers to go through these blogs.

These posts could be a blessing in disguise for all involved - USCIS and applicants, and something positive may come out of it if USCIS' senior policy makers actually read them carefully and make appropriate changes accordingly.

The other thing USCIS should do is to abolish AILA. AILA is supposed to be a liaison or a bridge between the immigrant community and the USCIS, but in reality AILA represents the interests of greedy, money-minded lawyers only (not all lawyers are bad tho) and not that of real applicants.

This blog gives you an idea that hardly anybody is happy with the servicing of the USCIS and AILA conveniently keeps quiet on a lot of these issues.

What USCIS could do after abolishing AILA is to set up a direct link with the immigrant community thru the Ombudsman's office and listen to the grievances of the applicants directly and get rid of the middle man. Just observe how a credit card company efficiently manages millions of accounts without any AILA like body, and yet these credit card companies are profitable and customers are by and large happy with their services.

USCIS, follow the credit card companies' lead to get rid of red tapeism as well. just my 2 cents, if anybody is listening. Good luck!

March 26, 2008 2:31 PM