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The Naturalization Delays and Congressional Hearing by Director of USCIS

2/22/2008

Recently, Mr. Emilio T. Gonzalez, Director of USCIS, testified before members of the Subcommittee that the average processing time for naturalization applications has increased from seven months or less to approximately 18 months. While acknowledging the problem of the increased waiting time, Mr. Gonzalez did not address any additional problems that have plagued the USCIS adjudication process that also apply to naturalization applications.

Specifically, there was no mention of the FBI name check delays that have stalled many applicants' cases for several years. Based on the situation, as presented by Mr. Gonzalez, the USCIS case-processing delays have their origin almost exclusively in the unprecedented surge of filings made in the summer of 2007 alone.

Having established this as a primary cause for the delays, Mr. Gonzalez spoke in general terms about longer processing times, not just with regard to naturalization applications, but to all other applications and petitions that the USCIS has to process. As Mr. Gonzalez indicated, the USCIS plans to hire more adjudication officers and ask existing staff to work overtime to shorten the adjudication and receipting process. The USCIS also will make improvements to technological processes and equipment.

While other panelists agreed with the general proposition that the USCIS is experiencing problems, they looked much deeper into the cause of delays in naturalization and in other adjudication in general. Mr. Vargas of NALEO Educational Fund, for example, pointed out that "the demand for naturalization assistance has persisted even after the late-July 2007 fee increase" that prompted many applicants to apply while the old fees were in effect.

Some applicants also decided to apply for naturalization because of the USCIS proposed regulation that would require all "green card" holders (lawful permanent residents) with cards that do not bear an expiration date to apply for new cards by a specified deadline. Mr. Vargas also acknowledged "lengthy and unfair delays," caused by FBI failure to complete background checks. He criticized the USCIS for failing to provide a system to shorten processing times "soon enough."




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