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Editor's Comments of the Day
The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General has issued its report on the Citizenship USA (CUSA) program.
The report is voluminous-the conclusion alone runs 24 pages-and will take time to digest completely. It was prepared in
response to the perception that CUSA was meant to increase the number of voting citizens. Although the report finds "that
CUSA was neither created nor executed for reasons relating to increasing the number of persons who would be eligible to
vote in November 1996," the picture it paints is not pretty. The report uncovered numerous problems, but what is more
disturbing it found, "that it was not an ignorance of the problems so much as an acceptance of them." After five years
the problems that INS promised Congress would be addressed still exist. The INS not only controls the precious right
to citizenship, but for those who are not native born citizens it is often the first US government agency they encounter.
The same country which has produced the most productive economy in history controls admission through a government
agency which fails to update its contemporary practices because it is waiting for reengineering which would eliminate
its paper-based processes, but in the meantime those paper-based processes are poorly administered. The world
deserves better.
Federal Register News of the Day
Notice of Availability of ACWIA Funds for Educational Institutions
The Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration announces a competition for grants of ACWIA funds among minority
colleges and universities which provide evidence of being able to plan and implement a successful strategy to respond
to shortages of workers seeking employment with skills needed by specific employers in a regional labor market. The closing
date for receipt of applications is September 22, 2000.
Notice of Availability of ACWIA Funds for Local Job Training
The Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration announces the availability of grant funds to local Workforce
Investment Boards (WIBs) established under section 117 of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) that will carry out such
programs or projects through one-stop delivery systems established under section 121 of WIA, or regional consortia
of local boards. The closing date for receipt of applications is September 19, 2000.
Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS)
The INS will prepare an environmental impact study of the enhancements to its border patrol efforts at the following Arizona
stations: Ajo/Why, Casa Grande, Douglas, Naco, Nogales, Sonoita, Tucson, Wellton, Wilcox, and Yuma. Enhancements will include,
but not be limited to, additional Border Patrol personnel, support vehicles, air support, border barriers, lighting, border
road improvements, and remote video surveillance systems.
Extension of Comment Period for Detention of Aliens Ordered Removed
The INS has extended the public comment period for the proposed rule to provide a uniform review process governing the detention
of criminal, inadmissible, and other aliens, excluding Mariel Cubans, who have received a final order and have been detained
for more than 90 days. Comments must be received by August 11, 2000.
Comment Request for New System of Records: FD-258 Fingerprint Tracking System
The INS proposes to establish and publish a new system of records, the FD-258 Fingerprint Tracking System. The system will cover
those who have filed applications or petitions for immigration benefits and are required to submit fingerprints in order for
a criminal background check to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and who have submitted fingerprints
to or have had their fingerprints taken by INS. Comments must be submitted by August 30, 2000.
Cases of the Day
7th Circuit Upholds BIA, Denies Voluntary Departure
In Tamas v. Reno, No. 99-3155, (7th Cir. July 28, 2000), the 7th Circuit found that the seizure of Petitioner's family lands,
the beating of his father, death of his children under mysterious circumstances and continued surveillance of his wife in
Romania did not compel the conclusion that he had suffered past persecution or that he had a well-founded fear of future
persecution.
INS News of the Day
OIG Finds No Improper Motive in CUSA Program
The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that the Citizenship USA (CUSA) initiative was
developed as a backlog reduction initiative designed to decrease naturalization processing times, and was not developed,
implemented, or otherwise directed to further inappropriate political ends. According to the
executive summary of the
investigation the OIG did find the integrity of naturalization adjudications, already vulnerable before CUSA, suffered
badly as a result of INS's efforts to process naturalization applications more quickly.
Conclusion of OIG Report Makes Recommendations for Citizenship Adjudications
The conclusion of the OIG's report commends the INS on the few areas of progress it has made and provides a list of
recommendations for further improvements. Suggestions include providing Congress with accurate and reliable information,
improving the quality of the naturalization adjudication, more efficient criminal history checking procedures, monitoring
INS clerical staffing and training, a better system of developing and implementing adjudicative standards, including the
standards for English testing and the evaluation of good moral character and improving the substantive aspect of the
evaluation of an applicant's eligibility for naturalization.
DOS News of the Day
Department of State Press Release Regarding DV Lottery
A press release from the Department of State provides additional information about the DV2002 Lottery and reminds potential
applicants that procedures for entering the Diversity Lottery can be completed without assistance following simple
instructions.
ILW.COM Featured Article of the Day
Immigration and the American City: A Source of Renewal, Not A Cause For Concern
In his most recent article Gary Endelman, Esq. argues that immigration has been a factor in the revival of America's inner cities.
Immigration News of the Day
Program Cited for Poor Checks on Citizenship
The New York Times [registration required] covers the Justice Department's Inspector General's report detailing the litany of
errors committed by the INS as it rushed to naturalize one million citizens in 1995 and 1996.
Cuban Doctor: US Accepting Us
According to the Washington Post, one of two Cuban doctors who fled to Sweden after spending more than a month in a
Zimbabwean jail said that the US has granted them refugee status and they would soon move to Miami.
Citizenship Rules Offer Ways Around Language Barrier
An article on the Modbee.com website discusses several reasons that many immigrants give for not becoming US citizens such as the
language barrier, misinformation and the fact that some immigrants do not know that special rules exist for people of certain ages
who have lived in the US for certain lengths of time.
ILW.COM Highlights of the Day
New Format for Immigration Daily Newsletter
As you may have observed we have introduced a new format for the e-mail version of Immigration Daily. We would like to hear your
comments and suggestions. Write to: communication@ilw.com
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