U.S.

Citizenship
and Immigration
Services

STATEMENT

OF

EDUARDO AGUIRRE JR.

DIRECTOR
U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

REGARDING A HEARING ON

"US AND MEXICO: IMMIGRATION POLICY

AND THE BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP"

BEFORE THE

SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE

MARCH 23, 2004

1/04/2004 17:22 FAX
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528

U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration
Services

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Date:

Number of pages including cover:

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0 3 / 0 4 / 2 0 0 4 17:22 FAX g]002

U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration
Services
 Service Center Government Personnel Data

What follows is a listing of Government positions authorized at each of the respective

Service Centers1:
»,
Service Center f - a . Number of Positions Authorized2

N S C-- , £ ' Pw«*

csc H 816
586
TSC -Te*^ 605

VSC -- V'&r «" ** 803

NBC - „„,- 207

*The data provided above is as of March 2003.

Fraud Detection Unit (FDU) Personnel Data

What follows is a listing of Intelligence Research Specialist and Investigative Assistants

authorized at each of the respective Fraud Detection Units1: . i

Fraud Detection Unit Number of Positions Authorized

IRS -"" IA3
California 8 5
Nebraska 8 6
Texas ]0 4
Vermont 8 11
Missouri 2 3

*The data provided above is as of February 2004.

! Includes both terra and permanent government employees.

* Although vacancies exist the numbers provide a fairly accurate representation of the number of personnel
actually on board. Some positions are currently in the hiring process (i.e. proceeding through clearance).
3 These numbers reflects the number of lAs currently assigned to the FDU. Others are accounted for in the
Service Center dala.
NATURALIZATION BENEFITS Page 2 of2

N-400 Naturalization Applications

Receipts, Oaths'Approved, and Pending

100,000 1,200,000

Receipts
Approvals/Oaths
Pending

• The number of pending cases decreased less than 1 percent compared to one year ago. Pending cases
have steadily decreased from April 2002.

• September 2002 naturalization approvals/oaths increased by about 22,000 compared to August 2002. The
same comparison for September 2003 showed an increase of about 12,400.

Last Modified 12/05/2003

http://uscis.gov/graphics/shared/aboutus/statistics/msrsep03/NATZ.HTM 2/11/2004
Introduction to Electronic Filing (E-Filing) USCIS Forms Page 1 of 3

os
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Fi&i-atuifuisjtisiruaa Introduction to Electronic Filing (E-Filing) USCIS

Forms

Two USCIS forms can be filed online using the Internet:

• Form 1-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, and

• Form 1-765, Application for Employment Authorization

Applicants can E-File Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney

or Representative, along with Form 1-90 or Form 1-765.

Please note that USCIS now offers more payment options for customers
who E-File. See Before Completing Your Application for more information.

Eligibility Requirements
Before Completing Your Application
After Completing Your Application
Scheduling an Appointment for Fingerprinting and Photographs
E-Filing Tips
Links to More Information on E-Filing

Eligibility Requirements

Most customers are eligible to E-File, but a few are not. You cannot E-File if:

• You live outside the United States;

• You are applying for a waiver of the filing fee; or

• Your Permanent Resident Card was issued to you before you were
14 and you have reached your 14th birthday.

Also, some applicants, because of their status, may not be able to E-File
their application. Review the form's E-Filing Instructions and Eligibility
Requirements before proceeding.

Before Completing Your Application

To E-File, you will need:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5

• Netscape 4.7 or higher, or Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher

• A printer to print your application and Confirmation Receipt notice

• A checking or savings account from which to electronically transfer

U.S. funds for fee payment; OR a credit card (American Express,

http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/efiling.htm 2/20/2004
District Office 1-360 Sent To Be Sent Rtn to TSC Remain in Fid 1-539 Sent To Be Sent Rtn to TSC
ANC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ATL 15 15 0 0 15 12 12 0 0
BAL 3 3 0 3 0 12 12 0 10
BOS 10 10 0 TO 0 12 12 0 11
BUF 2 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 1
CHI 6 6 0 6 0 24 24 0 0
CLE 3 2 1 1 1 9 9 0 9
DAL 10 10 0 0 10 13 13 0 1
DEN 3 3 0 0 3 6 6 0 0
DET 2 2 0 0 2 8 8 0 0
ELP 2 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
HEL 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
HHW 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 2
HLG 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
HOU 8 8 0 8 0 10 10 0 0
KAN 2 2 0 1 1 2 2 0 0
LOS 31 31 0 0 31 31 31 0 0
MIA 31 31 0 3 28 16 16 0 11
NEW 11 10 1 0 10 10 10 0 0
NOL 7 7 0 4 3 3 3 0 0
NYC 24 22 2 21 1 24 24 0 13
OMA 2 1 1 1 0 2 2 0 1
PHI 4 4 0 0 4 7 7 0 0
PHO 5 5 0 0 5 2 2 0 0
POM 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0
POO 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
SAJ 2 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 0
SEA 3;;y 3 0 1 2 5 5 0 0
SFR 16 16 0 15 1 11 11 0 11
SNA 2 2 0 1 1 3 3 0 0
SND 3 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0
SPM 4 4 0 4 0 4 4 0 3
WAS 9 9 0 0 9 8 8 0 0
SUB-TOTAL 222 217 5 88 129 242 242 0 73
Blank 2 2 0 0 2 1 1 0 0
TOTAL 224 217 5 88 129 243 242 0 73
Remain in Fid 1-129 Sent To Be Sent Rtn to TSC Remain in Fid 1-140 Sent To Be Sent
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 10 7 3 0 7 7 7 0
2 7 7 0 2 5 16 16 0
1 13 12 1 0 12 24 24 0
1 1I 1 0 0 1 2 2 0
24 16 15 1 0 15 26 26 0
0 1 1 0 0 1 14 14 0
12 8 5 3 0 5 3 3 0
6 2 2 0 0 2 7 7 0
8 8 8 0 0 8 4 4 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
10 12 11 1 0 11 6 5 1
2 3 3 0 0 3 1 1 0
31 22 22 0 0 22 16 16 0
5 32 30 2 2 28 14 9 5
10 21 20 1 0 20 19 18 1
3 2 2 0 0 2 2 1 1
11 30 28 2 15 13 22 21 1
1 1 1 0 0 1 2 2 0
7 7 5 2 0 5 6 6 0
2 2 2 0 0 2 1 1 0
2 11 1 0 0 1 1 1 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
1 11 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
5 3 3 0 0 3 4 4 0
0 26 26 0 7 19 7 6 1
3 1 1 0 0 1 4 4 0
0 5 5 0 0 5 0 0 0
1 1 1 0 1 0 2 2 0
8 6 4 2 0 4 26 26 0
169 243 224 19 27 197 240 230 10
1 3 3 3 1 2 0 0 0
169 246 221 22 28 193 240 230 10
Rtn to TSC Remain in Fid
0 0
0 7
9 7
9 15
1 1
1 25 -k,
1 13
0 3
0 7
0 4
0 0
0 2
1 0
0 0
0 5
0 1
0 16
0 9
0 18
0 1
6 15
0 2
1 5
0 1
0 1
0 1
0 0
0 4
4 2
0 4
0 0
0 2
0 26
33 197
0 0
33 197
 Service Center IHrector

Deputy Center jDirecto

Assistant Center Directors Assistant Center Director for

for Adjudications Enforcement Operations Division

Family Based Services

Adjustment Services

Business Services

Naturalizati on Services

65
 INS ^539 Change of Status Application Process
Applicant submits INS 1-539 application to the appropriate INS Service Center:
September 15, 2000
Mohamed Atta sends his 1-539 and 1-20 applications to the Texas Service Center Mesquite facility.

INS contractor mailroom receives application and reviews for signature and appropriate
fee; if incomplete, returns to sender; if complete, date-stamps and creates receipt file:
September 19, 2000
Atta's application is date-stamped and a file is created.

Receipt file given to Key Entry Operator, who enters data into INS CLAIMS. Bar code
label with unique file number is generated and affixed on file:
September 22, 2000
Atta's application is entered into CLAIMS and receipt file number produced.

Notice of receipt letter printed and sent to applicant:

September 22, 2000
Notice of receipt letter generated and sent to Atta from the Mesquite facility.

Receipt file is batched in groups of 25 and held for 2-3 days to ensure monetary fees are
collected and tallied.

Receipt file is sent to the file room in the Work Distribution Unit (WDU):
September 25, 2000
Atta's file is received by the WDU.

File is "called up" by a supervisor for assignment to a Center Adjudications Officer (CAO):
July 6, 2001
Atta's file is "called up" for adjudication at the TSC.

CAO reviews the file for supporting documentation. CAO decides to approve, deny, or
request additional evidence for each application.

f , \
\ CAO approves application and sends student copy of 1-20 to the student:
July 17, 2001

PV ^ CAO approves Atta's 1-539 application and sends student copy of the 1-20 to Atta.

CAO updates CLAIMS after approving 1-539 and approval notice is generated and sent:
\

k^ V
July 17, 2001
CAO updates CLAIMS; approval notice is automatically generated and sent to Atta from Mesquite
facility.

\
CAO places school copy of 1-20 in a tray, and I-20s are eventually mailed to ACS in London,
Kentucky:
Exact date unknown
^ CAO places Huffman Aviation copy of 1-20 in tray; 1-20 is mailed by clerical emplovee to ACS.

s/ !
CAO returns adjudicated file to Mesquite facility where it is stored in the WDU for 90 days in
case of inquiry about the file is received before being sent to Federal Records Center:
August 14, 2001
^ Atta's file returned to the WDU.
\

This chart depicts the process for 1-539 change of status applications processed at the Texas Service Center in 2000-
2001.
APPLICATIONS FOR IMMIGRATION BENEFITS Page 1 of2

APPLICATIONS FOR IMMIGRATION BENEFITS

Applications and petitions for immigration benefits in September 2003 increased 23 percent compared to ti
number received in September 2002. September approvals were up 25 percent, while denials decreased by
percent when compared to September 2002. For fiscal year 2003 receipts increased 4 percent, while approve
decreased 15 percent compared to fiscal year 2002.

Month Fiscal Fear Total

Sef-2903 Sep-2002 %Ckaage F¥ 2 003 to Date FY2002toDate % Change FY29K
Initial Receipts1 617,970 501,047 23 6,559,773 6,324,496 4 6,224,41
Approved 503,335 403,929 25 4,840,433 5,690,938 -15 5,690,9:
Denied 62,052 63,603 -2 667,755 635,557 5 635,5.'
Pending1 5,510,553 4,383,154 26 5,510,553 4,383,154 26 4,383,1'

Data Source: PAS G-22.2

1 Receipts and Pending do not reflect an estimated 2,900 l-485s filed but not data entered.

Applications for Benefits: Receipts, Approved, and Fending

1,000,000 T—-— r 6,000,000

5,000,000

5£ 600,000
4,000,000

& 500,000 ; 3,000,000

£
'I" 400,000
0)
oc - • 2,000,000
300,000
-Initial Receipts
200,000 -Approved
• 1,000,000
-Pending
100,000

H 1 1 1 h H 1 1 1 h H 1 1 h
CN fN c-t en
o O O o o o o o o
o O O o o o o o o
rs rs CN CN

http://uscis.gov/graphics/shared/aboutus/statistics/msrsep03/BENEFIT.HTM 2/20/2004
 Press Office
I'.S. Department of Homeland
Security

U.S. Gli/enship
and Immigraiion
Services

News Release February 2, 2004

Contact: USCIS, Public Affairs

202-353-8472

USCIS PRIORITIZES BACKLOG REDUCTION IN FY 2005 BUDGET

Washington, D.C.- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today requested $1.711 billion in
the FY 2005 budget, including a 60% increase in funding dedicated to the reduction of the immigration
benefits backlog. The FY 2005 budget requests $140 million in discretionary funding and $1.57 billon in
mandatory funding, or fee revenues for legal immigration benefits.

"Our progress in restoring integrity and public confidence in America's legal immigration system allows
us to further emphasize reducing the backlog. We anticipate a $60 million increase over FY 2004 to help
realize the President's goal of six-month processing times for all immigration benefit applications by the
end of FY 2006," said USCIS Director Eduardo Aguirre.

USCIS prioritizes enhancing national security, reducing the backlog and improving customer service. In
its first year, USCIS: initiated on-line options for application filing and case status updates; established
the Office of Citizenship; eliminated lines at some of its highest volume offices; introduced atoll-free
customer service help line; streamlined the Certificate of Citizenship process for internationally adopted
children; developed a more secure travel document for permanent residents; and completed the leadership
team.

The FY 2005 USCIS budget includes $765 million for immigration services, $400 million for
nonimmigrant services, $247 million for citizenship services, $139 million for asylum/refugee services
and a total of $160 million for backlog reduction.

Funded almost entirely by fees rather tax dollars, USCIS is required to conduct a review every two years
to ensure that adequate revenue is collected. On Tuesday, February 3rd, USCIS will announce the results
of its review.

Today, and each business day, USCIS will: process 140,000 national security background checks; receive
100,000 web hits; take 50,000 calls at four National Customer Service Centers; adjudicate 30,000
applications for an immigration benefit; see 25,000 visitors at 92 district offices; issue 20,000 green cards;
capture 8,000 sets of fingerprints at 130 Application Support Centers; welcome 3,000 newly naturalized
citizens; greet 100 refugees; and help American parents adopt 100 foreign children.

-USCIS-
On March 1, 2003, U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services became one of three legacy INS components to join the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security. USCIS is charged with fundamentally transforming and improving the delivery of immigration and citizenship services,
while enhancing our nation's security.

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