Update on Various Service Center Processing Issues
Posted Jan 26, 2001

We often provide information on the processing time frames and other procedural issues at the various INS Service Centers in the MurthyBulletin. In this issue, we provide an update as of January 2001:

I-485s at NSC

The INS Nebraska Service Center (NSC) reported as of January 16, 2001 that it is reviewing I-485s (employment based) that were received on or about September 7, 1999. "Reviewing" means that the cases are being looked at to make sure nothing else is needed. If additional items are needed, then NSC generates the Request for Evidence in order to obtain any additional items needed, such as an updated employer letter. NSC asks for this item routinely, on all employment-based cases. If other items are needed, the RFE would mention those as well. Once the needed items are sent, the case can hopefully be approved shortly thereafter.

I-129s and I-140s at VSC

INS Headquarters is requiring that the Service Centers process Form I-129 (Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, used for working visa statuses such as H1B, L1, O, P, etc.) within 60 days. Currently, the Texas Service Center (TSC) and NSC are working within that time, and the California Service Center (CSC) is close. However, the Vermont Service Center (VSC), which has the largest caseload, is still not quite there. Therefore, in mid-January 2001, VSC froze processing of I-140s, to devote more personnel to the I-129 processing. More funding has been allocated for overtime, but there is a shortage of staff. VSC hopes to reach the 60-day processing time by the end of January 2001.

VSC also warns that it will be difficult to sustain that pace, because of a large number of I-129s filed in November and December 2000. (This higher caseload may be a result of the quota increase under ACTA in October 2000.)