New Policy Affects Tens of Thousand of Green-Card Applicants Waiting for FBI Name Checks Washington D.C; February 15, 2008 – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the nation’s oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization, welcomes the new procedure announced by the U.S. Government to expedite the permanent residency applications of thousands of immigrants in the United States. The new policy by U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement (USCIS) affects 47,000 permanent residency or green card applicants whose applications, which are otherwise completed but delayed due to FBI name checks. The new policy will give the FBI 180 days to complete the name checks. After the time threshold is passed, the new immigration documents will be provided to the applicant even if the FBI has not completed their check. However, the background checks will continue and DHS and the FBI reserve their right to revoke the legal status of someone if credible information is obtained to justify doing so. Unfortunately, this new USCIS policy does NOT apply to applications for naturalization. Since mid-2007, SALDEF has made dozens of official complaints in response to naturalization delay concerns from community members – some waiting over 4 years. In total, 44% of the 322,000 pending immigration name checks (which include naturalization and green cards) have waited over six months. In a December 2007 meeting with USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez, SALDEF was informed that steps were being taken by the DHS and the FBI to address the thousands of applicants waiting for their naturalization due to name checks. SALDEF was told that “significant results” would be seen within six months. SALDEF feels the new USCIS policy expediting permanent residency and green card applications is an encouraging step in the right direction. We remain hopeful that the increased resources provided by the DHS and the FBI to deal with name check delays resolves this issue for hundreds of thousands of immigrants. If you or a community member you know is experiencing an immigration delay, contact SALDEF immediately at info@saldef.org or 202-393-2700. USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez Testimony; Hearing on “Naturalization Delays: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions.” House Judiciary Committee, January 2008 E-Verify: Employment Eligibility Verification Program
