Notes
from the Texas Service Center
October 16, 2000 Processing Delays: The TSC reports that the audit has caused a delay of approximately 2-4 weeks depending on the type of application or petition being processed. I-140 petitions will be aggressively worked on in the next several weeks to reduce processing delays. The Naturalization Product Line has identified all pre July 1998 applications and has initiated efforts for closure. Many denials may have resulted from the failure of applicants to appear for prints, interviews, etc. The TSC recognizes that some denials may be issued because of processing errors and will entertain motions to reopen while conducting very liberal review of denials for pre July 1998 cases. Telephone System Problems: The INS Direct System at the TSC only accommodates one million records for the phone database. The TSC received permission on October 18, 2000 from Headquarters to omit certain records that were usually not of interest to, or otherwise accessible by, the public. These records, such as visa number information transmitted directly from the Department of State, are being transferred and the TSC INS Direct System is being rebuilt. The TSC will be conducting a sweep of this data and the TSC INS Direct System should be more functional in the immediate future. One Petitioner Filing for Several Beneficiaries: The TSC generally requires a separate set of documents for each filing. Headquarters no longer allows accommodation efforts for mass filings from a specific company. Rescheduling Naturalization Interviews: When an applicant needs to cancel any scheduled event (i.e., initial interview, rescheduled interview, oath ceremony, etc.), the applicant (or attorney-of-record) must do so by contacting and communicating directly with their local office. Please understand that Service Centers do not schedule interviews, reschedule interviews, or set up oath ceremonies. The local office sets up these functions. The TSC will ship out files to the local offices that are requested from the local offices. Unfortunately, the interview notices generated by the TSC instruct applicants to contact the TSC for rescheduling. The TSC has requested permission to change the language in the notice to better facilitate the interests of the public. I-131s for “Family Unity” Cases: The TSC will process all I-131s filed based on "APPROVED" I-817 cases (Application for Voluntary Departure Under Family Unity Program). Scheduling Family Members for N-400 Applications at the Same Time: In the case of N-400’s, the TSC tries to keep family member cases together. If their cases are filed together and go through the workflow processes together without any hindrances, then the cases should be finalized at the local office at, or about, the same time. A couple of examples of why some family members may be processed before another filed on the same date are: 1). The TSC may not receive all "A" files at the same time from the local offices or; 2). One or more family member's fingerprints may have to be rescheduled because the FBI could not process the original FD-258’s. When this happens, the applicant must be rescheduled for new fingerprints. This will not stop the processing of the remaining family members. Mistakes on Alien Resident Cards: Please remember to print the alien’s A#, name, and date of birth on the back of each photo. I-485 Applications Filed Under Employment Categories Prior to January 1999: Any I-485 case pending before January 1999 should have been adjudicated. If not, it should be brought to the attention of the TSC. The TSC will reschedule the applicants for new fingerprints, if necessary, and adjudicate the applications on a priority basis. E-Mail Addresses at the TSC: You cannot communicate with the TSC by e-mail as it will not publish e-mail addresses for each section. Upgrading 2nd Preference I-130 to Immediate Relative: The TSC will upgrade a second preference I-130 to the immediate relative category after receipt of the "special TSC conversion form"? This usually takes 5 to 10 days if faxed to the I-130 section along with the required cover sheet and a copy of the Naturalization Certificate. Duplicate Fee Receipts: The TSC cannot generate a new fee receipt. |
