DHS Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman Releases Updated Version of 2007 Annual Report to Congress

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July 12, 2007 -- On June 11, 2007, Mr. Prakash Khatri, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CISOMB) delivered the 2007 Annual Report to Congress. The Ombudsman’s annual reports focus on identifying systemic issues that cause delay in granting immigration benefits as well as pervasive and serious problems faced by individuals and employers in their interactions with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

As mandated by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 § 452, CIS Ombudsman is an independent DHS office that reports directly to the DHS Deputy Secretary. By June 30 of each calendar year the Ombudsman submits an annual report to the House and Senate Committees on the Judiciary without any prior comment or amendment from any administrative agency official including: the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, or Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The 2007 Annual Report is the fourth since the Ombudsman’s office began operations in July 2003. It marks 46 months of cumulative analysis and recommendations since the establishment of the office and provides details on activities undertaken by the Ombudsman from June 1, 2006 through May 31, 2007.

This version of the 2007 Annual Report to Congress contains updated information and allows readers to comment online to the Ombudsman’s office, and also has updated technical information on pages 19 (Figure 3); 20 (Figures 4 and 5); 60 (Figure 13); and 81 (Figure 14), which does not affect the analysis or discussion of the Report.

CIS Ombudsman's 2007 Annual Report

Source: DHS