Highlighting that there was a marked decrease in applications and petitions filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) through May 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009, the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (Ombudsman) submitted its Sixth Annual Report to the Congress. According to the report, the reduction in receipt levels has provided USCIS with the opportunity to work on long-pending cases. However, with less fee revenue, the agency may now face new challenges. The report discuses USCIS processing times and backlogs; USCIS Transformation; Ombudsman facilitation of interagency meetings; and Ombudsman outreach. It also summaries the most pervasive and serious problems encountered by individuals and employers. The report also features eight formal recommendations made by the Ombudsman during the reporting period, which covers humanitarian, family, and business issues. In addition, there are eight new 2009 recommendations that are summarized in the incumbent report.

For complete information, please click CIS Ombudsman’s 2009 Annual Report to Congress