USC Subchapter II

8 U.S.C. § 1571 Purposes

(a) PurposesThe purposes of this subchapter are to—(1) provide the Immigration and Naturalization Service with the mechanisms it needs to eliminate the current backlog in the processing of immigration benefit applications within 1 year after October 17, 2000, and to maintain the elimination of the backlog in future years; and (2) provide for regular congressional oversight of the performance of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in eliminating the backlog and processing delays in immigration benefits adjudications. (b) PolicyIt is the sense of Congress that the processing of an immigration benefit application should be completed not later than 180 days after the initial filing of the application, except that a petition for a nonimmigrant visa under section 1184(c) of this title should be processed not later than 30 days after the filing of the petition.

8 U.S.C. § 1572 Definitions

In this subchapter: (1) BacklogThe term “backlog” means, with respect to an immigration benefit application, the period of time in excess of 180 days that such application has been pending before the Immigration and Naturalization Service. (2) Immigration benefit applicationThe term “immigration benefit application” means any application or petition to confer, certify, change, adjust, or extend any status granted under the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.].

8 U.S.C. § 1573 Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements Account

(a) Authority of the Attorney GeneralThe Attorney General shall take such measures as may be necessary to—(1) reduce the backlog in the processing of immigration benefit applications, with the objective of the total elimination of the backlog 1 year after November 25, 2002; (2) make such other improvements in the processing of immigration benefit applications as may be necessary to ensure that a backlog does not develop after such date; and (3) make such improvements in infrastructure as may be necessary to effectively provide immigration services. (b) Authorization of appropriations(1) In generalThere is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Justice from time to time such sums as may be necessary for the Attorney General to carry out subsection (a). (2) Designation of account in treasuryAmounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) may be referred to as the “Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements Account”. (3) Availability of fundsAmounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) are authorized to remain available until expended. (4) Limitation on expendituresNone of the funds appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) may be expended until the report described in section 1574(a) of this title has been submitted to Congress.

8 U.S.C. § 1574 Reports to Congress

(a) Backlog elimination plan(1) Report requiredNot later than 90 days after October 17, 2000, the Attorney General shall submit a report to the Committees on the Judiciary and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives concerning—(A) the backlogs in immigration benefit applications in existence as of October 17, 2000; and (B) the Attorney General’s plan for eliminating such backlogs. (2) Report elementsThe report shall include—(A) an assessment of the data systems used in adjudicating and reporting on the status of immigration benefit applications, including—(i) a description of the adequacy of existing computer hardware, computer software, and other mechanisms to comply with the adjudications and reporting requirements of this subchapter; and (ii) a plan for implementing improvements to existing data systems to accomplish the purpose of this subchapter, as described in section 1571(a) of this title; (B) a description of the quality controls to be put into force to ensure timely, fair, accurate, and complete processing and adjudication of such applications; (C) the elements specified in subsection (b)(2); (D) an estimate of the amount of appropriated funds that would be necessary in order to eliminate the backlogs in each category of immigration benefit applications described in subsection (b)(2); and (E) a detailed plan on how the Attorney General will use any funds in the Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements Account to comply with the purposes of this subchapter. (b) Annual reports(1) In generalBeginning 90 days after the end of the first fiscal year for which any appropriation authorized by section 1573(b) of this title is made, and 90 days after the end of each fiscal year thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit a report to the Committees on the Judiciary and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives concerning the status of—(A) the Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements Account including any unobligated balances of appropriations in the Account; and (B) the Attorney General’s efforts to eliminate backlogs in any immigration benefit application described in paragraph (2). (2) Report elementsThe report shall include—(A) State-by-State data on—(i) the number of naturalization cases adjudicated in each quarter of each fiscal year; (ii) the average processing time for naturalization applications; (iii) the number of naturalization applications pending for up to 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, 36 months, and 48 months or more; (iv) estimated processing times adjudicating newly submitted naturalization applications; (v) an analysis of the appropriate processing times for naturalization applications; and (vi) the additional resources and process changes needed to eliminate the backlog for naturalization adjudications; (B) the status of applications or, where applicable, petitions described in subparagraph (C), by Immigration and Naturalization Service district, including—(i) the number of cases adjudicated in each quarter of each fiscal year; (ii) the average processing time for such applications or petitions; (iii) the number of applications or petitions pending for up to 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, 36 months, and 48 months or more; (iv) the estimated processing times adjudicating newly submitted applications or petitions; (v) an analysis of the appropriate processing times for applications or petitions; and (vi) a description of the additional resources and process changes needed to eliminate the backlog for such processing and adjudications; and (C) a status report on—(i) applications for adjustments of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; (ii) petitions for nonimmigrant visas under section 1184 of this title; (iii) petitions filed under section 1154 of this title to classify aliens as immediate relatives or preference immigrants under section 1153 of this title; (iv) applications for asylum under section 1158 of this title; (v) registrations for Temporary Protected Status under section 1254a of this title; and (vi) a description of the additional resources and process changes needed to eliminate the backlog for such processing and adjudications. (3) Absence of appropriated fundsIn the event that no funds are appropriated subject to section 1573(b) of this title in the fiscal year in which this Act is enacted, the Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress not later than 90 days after the end of such fiscal year, and each fiscal year thereafter, containing the elements described in paragraph (2).