U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Tuesday announced several reforms aimed at reducing backlogs, shortening processing times and improving timely access to employment authorization documents.
As of February, USCIS was reviewing more than 9.5 million pending applications, a 66% increase from the end of fiscal year 2019, CBS News reported.
To reduce backlogs, USCIS said it is establishing internal metrics this month in an effort for petitioners to receive decisions on their cases more quickly. USCIS also intends to increase capacity, improve technology and expand staffing to achieve its goals by the end of fiscal year 2023.
The agency also plans to expand premium processing, which allows some applicants to pay a $2,500 fee to have their cases reviewed more quickly. USCIS said it also continues to make progress toward a temporary final rule that would automatically extend the period of employment authorization and documentation for certain renewal applications.
“In recent months, USCIS has [begun] streamlining many employee authorization document processes, including extending validity periods for certain EADs and providing expedited work authorization renewals for healthcare and childcare workers,” an agency press release said. “The temporary final rule aims to build on this progress and to ensure certain individuals will not lose their work authorization status while their applications are pending.”
Additionally, USCIS said it has received enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year 2023 H-1B numerical allocations cap, the agency reported Tuesday. Selected applicants can file H-1B cap-subject petitions for fiscal year 2023 beginning Friday.
