EO impact on USCIS processing times

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

If processing slows down for any reason,  it would be that USCIS announced a furlough of 70% of its work force

and this would not be because less visa applications but because of the new budget 

 

the following information is from https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/budget-planning-and-performance

 

The FY 2021 President’s Budget includes $118.7M in discretionary budget authority for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This funding level represents a reduction of $13.7M below the FY 2020 Enacted Budget.

[vincentlina 74]

8 hours ago, Bepster said:

 

Hello all,

 

With all the bans and the visa services closed around the world,  I am wondering if visa processing times at USCIS will be impacted?

I would hope that the few applications that are still being processed would go quicker as there are a lot less coming in.

I have a E-3 I-129 pending at the Vermont Center.

 

As anybody any insight on whats happening at USCIS?

 

 

Sadly, because of COVID and the EOs, according to Reuters, USCIS offices will incur significantly more processing delay because they are now preparing to "furlough nearly 70%" of their staff by August 3. (All the fees the agency depends on to keep operations going has dried up.) This means things will most certainly grind to a virtual standstill. You can read the full article here: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration/u-s-agency-prepares-for-massive-staff-cuts-in-blow-to-legal-immigration-system-idUSKBN23V2XI

 

They are appealing to Congress to fund their shortfall but honestly, with the current political environment these days, I have very little hope they will be saved (or at least before they furloughs the 70% of their staff).

 

Imagine that, real (albeit many MAGA red hat wearing) Americans loosing their jobs because of a "so called" policy to "save American jobs". Go figure!

 

[randomstairs 303]

There may also be delays in Application Support Centers (for biometrics) due to the latest EO which says in 5(c)(i): "take appropriate action, consistent with applicable law, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to provide that an alien should not be eligible to apply for a visa or for admission or entry into the United States or other benefit until such alien has been registered with biographical and biometric information, including but not limited to photographs, signatures, and fingerprints" 

 

So anyone extending their H1B or another work visa will be scheduled to do the biometrics if this regulation goes through. On the other hand that means more money from the fees

 

 

[geowrian 22,337]

USCIS has stated that there has been a significant decrease in applications and petitions since COVID caused disruptions (they didn't give a firm date).

They have not attributed the decrease to the various EOs specifically. It would be speculation at this point to point at them as a primary cause of the decrease.

 

Most cases that USCIS handles that result in eligibility for a visa (the EOs only really impact visas) tend to take more than 6 months to process anyway, then there's NVC processing on top of that.

Since the EO expires in ~6 months (it can be extended, but no clue if it will be or not yet...COVID things could go in either direction by then, and/or a change in administration), I'm not too sure how much they would discourage new filers (or even recent filers).

It's people already in the pipeline that are primary impacted IMO.

[Charles Knopp 0]

We are waiting on police clearance to arrive from Hong Kong.  I am going to fed ex it so that it will get to embassy. Question is; are they really going to hold ban till end of year?  She already had her interview.  Thanks Ck

 

[Scandi 4,166]

I feel like he amount of citizenship applications could potentially have been decreased this year mainly because of the virus. Unlike AOS and ROC, naturalization isn't a must, and many people are comfortable with their 10 year green cards and forget or just delay filing for citizenship. There's no requirement to file for citizenship to get to live and work in the US, there is also no "best before" date to file the N-400 etc.

 

A lot of people have also lost their jobs this year and filing for citizenship in the middle of all that would put an extra strain on their economy.

 

And then you have the small issues, like getting a hold of all documents needed for the petition (tax return transcripts has been a worry for many). Even though that's something you could potentially gather later and still file the N-400 in the meanwhile, I think many people decide to wait with filing until they have everything needed.

 

Then there was also the case where a lot people thought USCIS was closed, so they never filed for that reason too. So yeah, I can totally see that particular part of immigration being put on hold for many people this year. 

Edited June 25, 2020 by Scandi

[fs2439 46]

On 6/24/2020 at 9:14 PM, JeanneAdil said:

If processing slows down for any reason,  it would be that USCIS announced a furlough of 70% of its work force

and this would not be because less visa applications but because of the new budget 

 

the following information is from https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/budget-planning-and-performance

 

The FY 2021 President’s Budget includes $118.7M in discretionary budget authority for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This funding level represents a reduction of $13.7M below the FY 2020 Enacted Budget.

As far as I know, the budgetary "cut" is due to less applications,  given that uscis is funded by application fees, not the us government. 

 

Anyone have a different understanding than me?