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BREAKING NEWS: USCIS to Kilili: 800 CW applications processed today
León Rodríguez, Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, has personally assured Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan that the 800 applications for CW permit renewals submitted at least 90 days before expiration would be processed “by the end of the day.” The two spoke by phone today. Congressman Sablan is in the Northern Marianas. Director Rodriguez is in Washington, DC, where it is Monday, January 4.
“Based on experience, the expectation is that most of the 800 applications will be approved,” Sablan said. “A small number will require more evidence from the applicant. And an even smaller number will probably be denied, as is usually the case.”
“Director Rodríguez also committed to continuing to work through the backlog of another 2,000 applications that were submitted less than 90 days before permits expired.”
Sablan said that the congressional office has been in touch with USCIS officials every day since the backlog was revealed.
“We had about 100 applicants, who were concerned about processing delays, come to the congressional office in early December. Most were successfully resolved.
“While working on those cases, however, USCIS informed us that there were actually 2,800 of applications backlogged at the processing center in California. 800 filed 90 days before expiration; 2,000 filed late.
“That was unacceptable to me. And we are already seeing the negative effects of that backlog with businesses having to close or cut back hours.
“So, we have been working daily through the holidays to make sure that USCIS puts extra people to work processing those applications and looking for other actions the agency can take to help keep businesses open.
“I very much appreciate that Director Rodriguez called today to give me an update and give me his personal commitment that he is taking action and that we will see results today.”
Employers with applications for CW permits or renewals can check the status directly on the USCIS website: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do. The WAC15####### issued with acknowledgement of receipt of the application is required. (Office of the CNMI Delegate)
