INS on Complete File Review Implementation

August 13, 1999

From:William Yates
Deputy Executive Associate Commissioner
Office of Field Operations
Immigration Services Division

Subject: Complete File Review Implementation

In June, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) began implementing the complete file review (CFR) process at the four service centers. We began with the Nebraska Service Center on June 14 and followed with Vermont on July 12 and California on July 26. Texas will begin on August 30. Organizations like yours are an invaluable resource to the immigrant community, and INS hopes to assist you in your efforts by keeping you apprised of changes in the naturalization process. As INS implements this new process, we anticipate that many applicants will come to your organizations with questions. For this reason, we would like to provide you with the necessary information so that you can assist these applicants whenever possible.

A large component of the naturalization reengineering effort involves improving and standardizing the way in which applications are processed. To this end, the CFR is designed to improve the efficiency of N-400 processing by ensuring that Adjudication Officers have a complete file at the time of adjudication. The CFR goals are to reduce continuations, standardize document requests, reduce scheduling of applicants whose files are not ready for interview, and assist with backlog reduction efforts. During the CFR process, a service center officer reviews the N-400 and A-file (or qualifying T-file) to identify any additional documents needed to adjudicate a case. If documents are needed, the officer will send a customized document request letter to the applicant containing a list of the documents he or she must provide to INS. A copy of this letter will also be sent to the applicant's attorney or representative if a valid G-28 was filed with the application (see attachments). While this letter will instruct applicants on where they may obtain many of the documents they need, we ask for your assistance in helping them with this process.

The INS believes that the CFR initiative is important to reducing the number of applicants whose cases are continued at the initial interview. If the documents that are needed to adjudicate a case are collected prior to or during the initial interview, adjudicators should have all the information they need to make a decision. Reducing the number of second, or even third, interviews INS conducts will allow us to complete more cases, reducing the applicants' expenses and the amount of time they spend traveling to and from INS. This will also reduce the current case backlog by freeing up more initial interview slots where second or third interviews are currently being conducted. During a pilot of the CFR concept in Summer 1998, INS experienced a nearly 30 percent decrease in continuations for the documents we requested when applicants were asked to bring the missing documents to their interview.

Initially, not all field offices will be affected by the CFR. In time, as backlogs are reduced and cases are scheduled several weeks in advance, we will expand the review to include all offices.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in helping applicants understand and comply with document requirements. I hope you and your organization are as optimistic as we are at INS about the benefits, both to applicants and to INS's backlog reduction efforts, that will result from the CFR process. If you have any further questions regarding the CFR effort, please contact Rosalina Lacot at 202/353-8209 or Lori Kurek at 202/514-0271.

Manny Nooriega
987 Ocean Drive
Long Beach CA 900023 12-Aug-99

Please bring the following to your interview BDBI

• You indicated in your application that you have been arrested. For these arrests and any other incidents in which you may have been involved, bring originals or CERTIFIED copies of all arrest records and court dispositions showing how each incident was resolved. Failure to disclose any and all arrests may result 'in the denial of your application.
• A copy of the documentation that legally changed your name, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court document, etc. since the name you provided on your application (MANNY NOORIEGA) is different from the name on your Green Card (MANUEL NORIEGA). If you do not have formal documents, provide a detailed explanation of why you use a different name.
• You appear to have a minor (under 18 years old) child (or children) in the United States who does not live with you. Please bring copies of evidence of your financial support of this child/children, such as cancelled checks, a letter from your prior spouse, court documents, etc.
• A completed original Form G-32513: Biographic Information. Form G-325B is available through the INS Forms Center at 1-800-870-3676 or at your local INS office.
• The completed copy of your Form N-648: Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. We received your form N648; however, some questions were left blank. A copy of your N-648 is enclosed with red marks on the questions that must be completed. Only your doctor may complete these questions. Please bring the completed copy of the N-648 or a new original N-648 to your interview. Your original N-648 will be kept in your file.
• A list of all trips you have taken outside the United States since 1/2/96, using COMPLETE DATES: month/day/year. The list you provided previously did not include complete dates.
• Copies of documents establishing continuous residence since 1/2/96, such as an IRS Return Transcript or your Federal tax returns, rent or mortgage payments, and/or proof that your family remained 'in the US when you traveled.
• A letter from your religious organization identifying you as a member and explaining why you should be exempt from certain clauses of the oath of allegiance OR if you cannot take the full oath of allegiance due to personal convictions, please explain your beliefs on a separate piece of paper.

Any documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by an English translation. The translator must certify that he/she is competent to translate and that the translation is accurate.

cc: JOHNNIE COCHRAN

Johnnie Cochran				Re: Manny Nooriega

1234 Rodeo Drive			987 Ocean Drive

Beverly Hills, CA 90210			Long Beach	CA 900023	12-Aug-99

Please bring the following to your interview BDBI

• You indicated in your application that you have been arrested. For these arrests and any other incidents 'in which you may have been involved, bring originals or CERTIFIED copies of all arrest records and court dispositions showing how each incident was resolved. Failure to disclose any and all arrests may result 'in the denial of your application.
• A copy of the documentation that legally changed your name, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court document, etc. since the name you provided on your application (MANNY NOORIEGA) is different from the name on your Green Card (MANUEL NORIEGA).If you do not have formal documents, provide a detailed explanation of why you use a different name. -
• You appear to have a minor (under 18 years old) child (or children) 'in the United States who does not live with you. Please bring copies of evidence of your financial support of this child/children, such as cancelled checks, a letter from your prior spouse, court documents, etc. '
• A completed original Form G-32513: Biographic Information. Form G-325B is available through the INS Forms Center at 1-800-870-3676 or at your local INS office.
• The completed copy of your Form N-648: Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. We received your form N648; however, some questions were left blank. A copy of your N-648 is enclosed with red marks on the questions that must be completed. Only your doctor may complete these questions. Please bring the completed copy of the N--6-A or a new original N-648 to your interview. Your original N-648 will be kept in your file.
• A list of all trips you have taken outside the United States since 1/2/96, using COMPLETE DATES: month/day/year. The list you provided previously did not include complete dates.
• Copies of documents establishing continuous residence since 1/2/96, such as an IRS Return Transcript or your Federal tax returns, rent or mortgage payments, and/or proof that your family remained in the US when you traveled.
• A letter from your religious organization identifying you as a member and explaining why you should be exempt from certain clauses of the oath of allegiance OR if you cannot take the full oath of allegiance due to personal convictions, please explain your beliefs on a separate piece of paper.

cc: JOHNNIE COCHRAN