Latest News
1) Processing
Times and Case
Status
Applications are processed
in the order they are
received by application type.
The average processing times
for all applications are
posted on our website.
Processing times are an
estimate of how long it will
take to complete your case.
Each case is different; so
some cases may take longer
than others. You can use your
receipt to check your case
status on Case Status Online
(See the "Related Links"
section of this page). Please
be advised that we will only
research your case if it is
beyond our posted processing
times (You can also find a
link to processing times in
the Related Links
section).
The processing times are
for applications that have
been just completed. If you
have just filed your
application, these timeframes
may not reflect how long your
application will take to be
completed. We encourage you
to check processing times
before inquiring about your
case. The processing times
are updated monthly.
USCIS has received a
significant increase in the
number of applications filed.
In July and August, nearly
2.5 million applications and
petitions of all types were
received. This compares to
1.2 million applications and
petitions received in the
same time period last year.
This fiscal year, we received
1.4 million applications for
naturalization; nearly double
the volume we received the
year before. The agency is
working to improve processes
and focus increased
resources, including hiring
approximately 1,500 new
employees, to address this
workload.
As a result, average
processing times for certain
application types may become
longer. In particular,
naturalization applications
filed after June 1, 2007 may
take approximately 16 - 18
months to process.
When your application is
received by a USCIS Service
Center or the National
Benefits Center, we will mail
you a receipt notice. The
receipt notice will have all
of the important information
you need about your case.
With your receipt number you
can check the status of your
case on our website and also
register on our website for
automatic case status updates
as we process your case.
For more information about
when and how to contact us,
whether your case is outside
our processing time, or if
there are other issues,
please see our customer guide
Case Services - How Do I...
know what kind of services
are available to me after I
file my application or
petition? also available in
the Related Links section of
this page.
2) USCIS Issues
Update on Permanent Resident
Card Replacement
Proposal
On August 22, 2007, USCIS
published a proposed
regulation in the Federal
Register that, when
implemented, would require
lawful permanent residents to
replace permanent resident
cards (Form I-551) with no
expiration date. USCIS
accepted public comments on
this proposal for 30 days
until September 21, 2007.
USCIS is currently reviewing
the 298 comments received
during the public comment
period.
This proposed rule in no
way affects the current
validity of these permanent
resident cards. Permanent
residents who possess these
cards may continue to use
them as proof of permanent
residency when traveling,
when seeking employment, and
at any time such proof is
required.
After USCIS has reviewed
and considered the comments
generated by the proposed
rule the agency will publish
a final rule. USCIS cannot
provide a time frame for when
the review will be concluded
or when the final rule will
be published.
The final rule, once
published, will explain the
process to replace these
green cards. The final rule
will also set the time period
during which USCIS will
accept applications to
replace these cards. To date,
no time frame has been
set.
When the period for
submitting applications has
ended, USCIS will determine
how long it will take to
adjudicate the applications
received. USCIS will then
publish a notice in the
Federal Register establishing
the date after which
permanent resident cards with
no expiration date are no
longer valid. This will
ensure that affected
customers who have submitted
their applications will
receive their new cards
before the validity of their
old cards expires.
Customers who hold these
permanent resident cards with
no expiration date may
replace their cards now, but
there is currently no
requirement to do so.
USCIS believes that the
replacement of these cards is
vital to the security of the
immigration process. New
cards will provide the agency
with an opportunity to update
the photograph and biometrics
on the card. It will also
provide the cardholder with a
card containing greater
security features and remove
from circulation different
versions of the same card.
3) USCIS Reminds
Employers to Use New Form
I-9
After December 26, 2007,
employers who fail to use the
new Form I-9 may be subject
to all applicable penalties.
All employers are required to
complete a Form I-9 for each
new employee hired in the
United States.
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