February 26, 2007

USCIS CLARIFIES CRITERIA TO EXPEDITE FBI NAME CHECK
Federal Litigation Removed as Sole Basis to Expedite Check

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is no longer routinely requesting the FBI to expedite a name check when the only reason for the request is that a mandamus (or other federal court petition) is filed in the case.

USCIS may continue to request an expedited FBI name check if the case meets one of the other approved criteria, including:

1. Military deployment;
2. Age-out cases not covered under the Child Status Protection Act, and applications affected by sunset provisions such as diversity visas;
3. Significant and compelling reasons, such as critical medical conditions; and
4. Loss of social security benefits or other subsistence at the discretion of the USCIS District Director.

The FBI name check is an invaluable part of the security screening process, ensuring that the immigration system is not used as a vehicle to harm the US or its citizens. USCIS also requests an FBI name check to screen out people who seek immigration benefits improperly or fraudulently and ensure that only eligible applicants receive benefits.

Information about the FBI name check is available on the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov or by calling the USCIS National Customer Service Center toll free at 1-800-375-5283

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