Musings on Immigration

Today we pause to remember the tragic events that took place 12 years ago. No matter how many years pass between us and September 11, 2001, it forever remains a vivid memory in our minds and hearts. It stays with us as constant reminder that bad things happen to good people. That tragedies we hear about happening across the globe can take place at home too. That we as a nation are not immune from acts of hate directed towards us from within, and abroad. Of course we also realized that our vulnerability as a nation correlates directly with our love and unity, because as much sorrow we experienced, 9/11 also drew us closer and strengthened our resolve. It made us appreciate the fragility of life and reminded us to be humble. It reminded us of how much we as Americans have to be proud of, the extent of our values that need our protection. And in the years just after 9/11, we recall the aftershocks that shook us to our core. That trampled over the very essence of our identity as a “land...

There was shocking news this week about the USCIS–management shortcomings have undermined USCIS efforts to eliminate the millions of backlogged cases: http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=42356&dcn=e_gvet ! Let’s be serious, literally millions of immigrants have experienced the shortcomings that the DHS Office of the Inspector General points out in this report. Immigrants have been abused by officers in Adjustment and Naturalization interviews because of poor oversight of rogue officers, cases have been long delayed because there is no effective follow up by managers on case completion, and nothing short of a federal court lawsuit seems to move the USCIS to adjudicate long overdue cases. Perhaps this report, in a new fresh administration, will spur some changes and follow up in the USCIS, under the direction of a new Director. We can only hope.