§1574 Reports to Congress

Summary

The Attorney General must send a report to the Senate and House Judiciary and Appropriations Committees within 90 days after October 17, 2000. That report must describe the immigration benefit application backlogs that existed on that date and give a plan to eliminate them. It must review the computer systems used to handle and track applications, saying whether the hardware and software are adequate and how they will be improved to meet the goals in section 1571(a). The report must explain quality controls to ensure fair and timely decisions, include the items listed below, estimate how much money is needed to clear each category of backlog, and say how any money in the Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements Account will be used. Starting 90 days after the end of the first fiscal year in which money is provided under section 1573(b), and 90 days after each fiscal year after that, the Attorney General must send yearly reports on the Account (including unused balances) and on efforts to clear backlogs. The yearly reports must give State-by-State naturalization data (quarterly cases decided, average processing times, numbers pending at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48+ months, expected times for new cases, an analysis of proper processing times, and needed resources or process changes). They must give the same kinds of district-level data for other application types, including adjustment to permanent residence, nonimmigrant visa petitions under section 1184, family-preference petitions under sections 1154/1153, asylum under section 1158, and Temporary Protected Status under section 1254a. If no funds are provided under section 1573(b) in the fiscal year the Act is passed, the Attorney General still must send the same yearly report not later than 90 days after that fiscal year ends and each year after.