Friday, May 28, 2010

USCIS Lock-Box

In their strive to automatize, the USCIS has introduced centralized lock box system. This system mirrors the system used by private companies, like utility companies who collect money. The personnel uses machines to collect fees, look at the petition to determine prima facia sufficiency, and prepare the case for adjudicators. However they also scan the documents for retrieval. They have been doing so for several years now.

They scan all forms and supporting documents. They also take out of the package any tabs, etc that we insert to arrange documents. If the file is too large, they only scan (completely arbitrarily) the first 50 pages.

The CIS wants to have I-140s into the lockbox systems. I-140s can be very thick petitions, especially for Outstanding categories, NIW, International Managers, etc. If the lock box system takes out tabs, etc, in the very least it will make life for the adjudicators very difficult.

In a recent meeting with AILA members at the Texas Service Center Mr. David Roark, the Director of the TSC objected to the removal of the tabs.

However, CIS, being the huge government bureaucracy that it is, will probably not listen to everyone in formulating policies. So even though they make be able to generate receipt notices faster, we will have slower adjudications, and maybe even denials if papers go missing from original petitions.

Contact Houston Immigration Lawyer, Annie Banerjee for more details

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