INS Briefs : Various Updates Provided to AILA
Posted Aug 3, 1999

As many of you know, representatives of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) meet from time with INS officials in charge of administering the many programs of the INS, and update AILA's membership on the latest news. We regularly report on topics which we believe will be of greatest relevance to our clients in the Law Office of Sheela Murthy Immigration Law Bulletin. We provide this months updates below in the form of news briefs on a variety of topics:

INS Funding and Adjudication Priorities

INS continues to experience funding shortfalls. Some additional money has been allocated, but it has been earmarked for naturalization efforts alone. Processing times for such applications as adjustment of status (I-485) continue to increase, while certain other applications, notably H1B petitions and naturalization applications, should see some improvement, because they have been designated by INS headquarters as high priority.

Longer Duration for Work Permits and Advance Parole Documents

AILA representatives suggested that issuing employment authorization cards and advance paroles for two years, instead of one year would make a lot of sense, considering the fact that the I-485 process is taking at least 18 months to complete at most of the Service Centers. INS responded that they have been studying this possibility, as well as the idea of issuing both these items in one document: work cards that also authorize travel abroad and reentry into the U.S.

Upcoming Policy Guidance

INS is planning to release policy memoranda on a variety of topics, including but not limited to National Interest Waivers; and B1 and B2 visa status within the next few months.

Soon after we receive the information, the Law Office of Sheela Murthy will post the information in our monthly Bulletin or send it out as a Newsflash if it is deemed important and exigent.