§1574 Reports to Congress

Summary

The Attorney General must send a report to the House and Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees no later than 90 days after October 17, 2000. That report must say what immigration benefit application backlogs existed on October 17, 2000 and give a plan to eliminate them. It must assess the computer and data systems used to handle these cases (including whether hardware and software are adequate and how they will be improved), explain the quality controls that will ensure timely and accurate decisions, include the items required later in the law, estimate how much appropriated money would be needed to clear each backlog, and give a detailed plan for using any money in the Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements Account. Starting 90 days after the end of the first fiscal year in which money authorized by section 1573(b) is appropriated, and then 90 days after each fiscal year after that, the Attorney General must send annual reports. Those reports must show the status of the Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements Account (including any unobligated balances) and efforts to eliminate backlogs. They must include state-by-state and district-by-district data on case counts, average and estimated processing times, numbers pending by time ranges (up to 6 months, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 months or more), analysis of proper processing times, and the extra resources or process changes needed. The reports must cover naturalization and specific categories such as adjustments to lawful permanent residence; petitions under sections 1184, 1154 (for classifications under 1153); asylum under 1158; and Temporary Protected Status under 1254a. If no funds under section 1573(b) are appropriated in the fiscal year this Act is enacted, the Attorney General must still send the same report within 90 days after that fiscal year ends and each year after.