On Friday, June 28, 2024, the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) submitted their 2024 Annual Report to Congress. This report details some of the most significant issues that stakeholders encountered this year when seeking immigration benefits from USCIS. The report also includes recommendations on how USCIS can address these problems and improve its administrative processes.
Highlights of the 2024 Annual Report
- Year in Review – An overview of 2023 for both USCIS and the CIS Ombudsman.
- Recommendations for a Proactive Approach to Collecting Biometrics from Asylum Applicants in Removal Proceedings
- Reexamining the Administration of the English Portion of the Naturalization Test
- USCIS’ Prioritization Dilemmas: Lessons from the Form I-601A Backlog
- Lost Mail and the Challenges of Delivering USCIS Documents
- Meeting the Growing Demand for Employment Authorization Documents
- Clarifying Processing Times to Improve Inquiries and Manage Expectations
- Looking Backward, Looking Forward: Thoughts on the Future of USCIS
What’s Next
The CIS Ombudsman will host a national webinar to discuss this year’s report and gather feedback on Tuesday, July 30 from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. The webinar invitation will be distributed soon.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.