The Ombudsman identifies systemic problems that individuals and employers face when seeking services from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and makes recommendations based on:
- Individual complaints and requests for help;
- Information and inquiries we receive from non-governmental organizations and federal officials, including USCIS; and
- Our interactions and meetings with applicants, petitioners, employers, non-governmental organizations including community and faith-based organizations, and immigration professionals across the country.
The Ombudsman makes recommendations with the goal of influencing change and improving the services at USCIS for both those who apply for and those who administer immigration benefits. In addition to the formal reviews and recommendations that the Ombudsman issues to USCIS, we also work in less formal ways to identify emerging issues and begin discussions with USCIS about how problems can be addressed.
After the Ombudsman makes a formal recommendation, USCIS is statutorily required to respond within three months.
Recommendations and Updates
Family and Children
- Improving the Process for Removal of Conditions on Residence for Spouses and Children (February 28, 2013)
- Ensuring a Fair and Effective Asylum Process for Unaccompanied Children (September 20, 2012)
- Adjudication of Applications and Petitions Under INA Section 204(l) (November 26, 2012)
Employment
Customer Service and Administrative
- Improving Quality and Consistency in Notices to Appear (NTAs) (June 11, 2014)
- USCIS Service Requests (March 5, 2012)
Petitioner Information Management Service (PIMS) (May 17, 2012)