USCIS Issues a Fiscal Year 2022 Progress Report

HI INDIA NEWS DESK
CHICAGO, IL- My take from the USCIS publication is that the USCIS has made numerous efforts to reduce the back log of all kind or cases that are pending or in process using some of the innovations, applying every workforce, policy and operational tools at its option.

Stating that 62% of reduction in backlogs of Naturalization (Citizenship) applications from 2021 to Fiscal Year 2022. ( according to agency it welcomed more than 1 million new U.S. Citizens)
Immigration that it will utilize all available employment-based immigrant visas. In the final quarter, USCIS worked cases 7 days a week to effectively address pending applications. “FISCAL YEAR 2022 PROGRESS REPORT USCIS is committed to eliminating unnecessary barriers, restoring faith in the immigration system, and improving transparency, efficiency, and the customer experience
USCIS acknowledges “while waiting for their renewal EAD applications to be processed, USCIS published in May 2022, that extended the EAD validity period for over 400,000 noncitizens and immediately restored the ability to work for tens of thousands of noncitizens whose EADs had expired through no fault of their own”.

USCIS plans to Initiating the expansion of premium processing, while adhering to the congressional requirement that such services must not cause an increase in processing times for regular immigration benefit requests. New commitments for FY 2023 In the coming months, USCIS is prepared to build on this progress by accepting premium processing for all employer petitions for immigrant workers (Form I-140 and I-485 applications ) and certain EAD I-765) applications for students and exchange visitors (Form I-765). That may include removing the requirement to submit biometrics for applicants for change and extension of nonimmigrant status (Form I-539).

This progress on both backlog reduction and humanitarian services was supported by crucial appropriations by Congress in FY 2022. Hopefully going forward, USCIS will get continued congressional support to help eliminate its current net backlogs and meet its humanitarian mission, and plans to pursue a new fee rule to prevent the accumulation of new backlogs in the future.

The above article is based on the USCIS publication on December 7, 2022 about the year 2022 progress report and addresses some of important excepts and is not complete report because of the limited space. The reader can find more detailed report published by USCIS at USCIS website or consult a professional immigration lawyer for further advice).

This article is written by attorney Parveen K Goyal based on the USCIS publication dated 12/7/2022’ Attorney Parveen Goyal has been practicing immigration for more than 30 years and his offices are located at 1625 West Colonial Parkway, Inverness, IL (Near Harper college in Palatine) and can be reached at 847-584-7617 and/or via email at [email protected].