This was released today on PR Newswire. Dates are interesting and should result in revised estimates after this quarter, no? Jean
Friday September 19 1:53 PM EDT
Company Press Release
INS: Naturalization Improvement Efforts Underway
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The following was released by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization
Service:
Status of Applications
As of July 31, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) had received 1,405,000 naturalization applications this fiscal
year, a 51 percent increase over the same period in fiscal 1996 and a 33 percent increase over the 1,058,000 applications
received in all of fiscal 1995.
In April, Commissioner Doris Meissner directed that, until a full audit is completed to ensure that new quality assurance
procedures have been effectively implemented at offices throughout the country, all applications will be verified by a
supervisor for eligibility before receiving final approval.
Program Goals:
-- Maintain Integrity and Improve Timeliness and Customer Service
The new INS Office of Naturalization Operations, created four and a
half months ago to strengthen the integrity of the naturalization
system and improve customer service, is making considerable progress on
its plan to fully automate and standardize naturalization procedures
across the country by the summer of 1998. INS has submitted its
blueprint for the improvements and proposal to fund them to Congress
for its approval.
Once automation and standardization are complete at 80 offices around
the country, INS will be able to start toward its goal of processing
applications within a six-month time frame, while ensuring that the
fingerprint check process and other procedures that guarantee quality
assurance are complete.
-- Reduce the Backlog
By December 31, INS will have implemented individualized plans for each
office to reduce the backlog in naturalization applications. Offices
will have the assistance of roving processing teams that will be able
to help overcome major problems. INS Headquarters also will provide
funds for overtime where needed to achieve reduction goals.
-- New Plan to Automate and Standardize
* Nationwide Automated System
All naturalization applications will be processed through one
automated nationwide system. This will mark a major departure from
the system now in place, where INS field offices use a variety of
computer systems or, in some cases, a manual system to process
naturalization applications. A fully automated system will allow
INS to process each application the same way in all INS offices,
ensuring uniformity and reducing confusion.
Timeframe: Complete by spring 1998.
Status: INS' data processing system "CLAIMS 4.0" will replace all
other automated or manual systems by spring 1998.
* Fingerprinting
In order to increase reliability, the fingerprinting process will
be returned to INS offices. Ultimately, electronic scanners will
replace the manual process. The fingerprints will be taken by
specially trained contractors under the supervision of INS staff.
Timeframe: April 1998 at all sites.
Status: Pilot programs to begin in Baltimore in October, Miami and
Arlington, Va., in November and Los Angeles, San Francisco, New
York and Chicago by the end of the year.
* Standardize Using Direct Mail
All applications will be filed by direct mail with INS' highly
automated four service centers, consolidating a process now done by
INS offices across the country.
Timeframe: All 80 naturalization sites by April 1998
Status: Now being used by four district offices
-- Improve Applicants' Access to Information
INS will utilize the latest technology, including the Internet and
toll-free telephone service, to make the process readily accessible and
easier to understand. The process will include printed material,
including application forms available on the Internet, that spell out
the services an applicant should expect and receive from INS.
Timeframe: Spring 1998
Status: Strategy developed.
-- Naturalization Fee
In a review of all INS fees, the agency has determined that the cost of
processing applications is not currently reflected in the
naturalization fee and others. Commissioner Meissner has pledged that
the agency will not move forward with a fee increase until she is
personally satisfied that significant improvement in service has been
achieved.
-- Implementation of Quality Assurance
The Office of Naturalization Operations developed naturalization
quality procedures (NQP), provided for the training of all
naturalization personnel in the NQP, began implementing the procedures
June 30, and is conducting ongoing internal field office reviews to
ensure compliance. An interim report by the independent consulting
firm of KPMG Peat Marwick said the training and dissemination of the
new procedures went smoothly; KPMG will begin a full implementation
audit October 6.
-- Coopers & Lybrand Re-Engineering Proposal
The work of the Office of Naturalization Operations will be integrated
into the long-term re-engineering effort being undertaken by Coopers &
Lybrand LLP. Attorney General Janet Reno announced the selection of
Coopers & Lybrand as the redesign consultant for the re-engineering
project March 20. They were tasked with the entire naturalization
process in order to enhance the integrity of the naturalization
program, streamline the process, reduce paperwork and improve customer
service. The first phase of their work -- data gathering and process
redesign -- will be completed soon. |
