News from NSC – August 15, 2001
Posted Sep 07, 2001

From time to time in the MurthyBulletin, we provide updates of discussions between attorney representatives of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and government officials. The following are some highlights of an August 15, 2001 teleconference with the INS Nebraska Service Center (NSC).

Faxed Requests for Evidence

AILA asked whether, when all that is needed to complete an H1B case is the Labor Condition Application (LCA), does NSC routinely request this item by fax. NSC encourages the use of faxed requests whenever that method seems appropriate. Both AILA and NSC noted that the U.S. Department of Labor has been processing LCAs on a timely basis more recently.

In addition to requests for LCAs, NSC also issues faxed requests in any case where the information needed is relatively simple and straightforward.

Premium Processing

AILA attorneys expressed the concern that Premium Processing may cause delays in regular cases. NSC responded that, to the contrary, there appears to be a positive ripple effect. NSC officials pointed out that persons assigned to Premium Processing have to complete the premium cases first, but they often have time to help out with the regular cases as well. Premium cases are required to be adjudicated within 15 days, but are usually taking only 5 to 7 days at NSC.

I-485 Receipts

When asked about the delay between filing of I-485s and printing of receipts, NSC indicated that there is at least a six-week delay before a case is entered into the system. While they are working on decreasing this holdup, they will also consider expediting receipt issuance in certain urgent cases upon request.

Re-Entry Permits and Refugee Travel Documents

There has been a delay in issuing these documents while NSC waits for a fresh supply of the blank books (looks like a white passport) from the U.S. Government Printing Office.