It All Starts With You! Business Representatives Meeting Nebraska Service Center Lincoln Nebraska May 9, 2012
Filing tips for the Journey Lockbox R.O.P. (Record of Proceeding) I-140; Employment Based I-485; I-131; I-765 Cover Letters Expedites RFE/Appeals Additional Hints Contact Information 2
USCIS Office of Intake and Document Production 3
OIDP Presentation Topics Thank you for the opportunity to provide information about USCIS Intake. This presentation will answer the following questions: What is the Lockbox and its role in processing applications? Who can customers contact with Lockbox processing issues? What happens to an application after it is received by a Lockbox facility? What are some filing tips to avoid common problems? If a client sends a personal check, does that slow down processing? What should be written on a money order? How should filing packages be assembled (what order to use for each document, whether to fasten and by what method, etc.)? 4
Introduction to USCIS Paper Intake (Lockbox) A Lockbox is a secure facility used by government agencies and private organizations to facilitate the collection and deposit of fees. The Department of Treasury designated a financial agent to perform Lockbox services for USCIS. The Lockbox service provider manages the intake of USCIS benefit applications and the collection of associated fees submitted directly by mail. The Lockbox service provider does not approve or deny petitions/applications received. USCIS Lockbox facilities are located in Chicago, IL; Phoenix, AZ; and Lewisville, TX. In 2011, over 4.6 million benefit applications were processed through the paper intake channel. 5
Lockbox Customer Support About 80 percent of applications are processed within 48 hours of receipt. The acceptance rate for incoming applications is around 90 percent. Customers and their representatives who have intake questions about an application filed at a Lockbox facility may write to Lockboxsupport@dhs.gov. 6
USCIS Lockbox Services The Lockbox Service provider performs the following activities when processing incoming applications: Receive, open, sort and stage mail. Prepare and scan documents. Enter document data in system from scanned images. Accept or reject applications and related fees based on business rules. Balance applications and fees. Deposit payments to the U.S. Treasury Send receipt notices for accepted applications to the applicant and designated representative. Return rejected applications to the applicant or designated representative. Transmit application data to USCIS and payment data to U.S. Department of Treasury. Send application files to the appropriate USCIS service center or field office for further processing. 7
General Lockbox Filing Tips Lockbox filing tips are also posted in the Related Links section on the www.uscis.gov form landing pages. Please read and follow the form filing instructions. Make sure your form is neat and legible, and keep all entries within the spaces provided on the form. Complete the form in black ink and do not use highlighters or correction fluid. Use of these items may prevent our scanners from reading the information on the form. Use the current form version and mail all pages of the form. When possible, use the Adobe fillable forms available online at www.uscis.gov. When completed electronically, these forms include features that will assist customers. Pay the correct fee. Incorrect fee is a primary reason forms are rejected at a Lockbox facility. Sign the form in the correct section. An original signature is required. Forms without signatures or signatures in the wrong place will be rejected. 8
Paying Immigration Fees at a Lockbox Facility Bank drafts, cashier's checks, certified checks, personal checks and money orders must be drawn on U.S. financial institutions and payable in U.S. funds. Although one check covering multiple applications is acceptable, we recommend submitting separate checks or money orders when multiple applications are filed. Make the check or money order payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (not "USDHS" or "DHS") No additional notations are required on the check or money order. Paying by Personal Check Electronic Deposit of Checks your check will be converted into an electronic fund transfer and funds may be drawn from your account faster than processing a paper check. Paying by personal check will not delay your application. 9
Paying Immigration Fees at a Lockbox Facility (cont.) Paying by Personal Check (cont.) All checks must be typed or written in ink. Write in numbers the exact dollar amount of the fee for the service you are requesting. Spell out the exact dollar amount of the fee for the service you are requesting. Sign the check using your legal signature. Ensure the check is not postdated or stale (more than a year old). 10
Application Package Assembly Place the check or money order on top of the related application. Attorneys or accredited representative filing Form G-28 must include one for each application. The Form G-28 should be place near the top of the application package. Use Form G-1145 to request an e-notification that your application has been accepted by a Lockbox facility and place it on top of the application. Place supporting documentation behind the application. The Lockbox service provider will assemble each application in the package in the correct processing order before it is scanned. We recommend the following: Do not use binders or folders that cannot be easily disassembled. Use fasteners to hold together thick or bulky applications or petitions. Avoid using heavy-duty staples; instead use fasteners or heavy clips. Avoid submitting originals unless specifically required. Avoid submitting oversized documentation when possible. Do not send documents or supporting evidence not required by the form filing instructions. Do not send documents or fees in separate envelopes. The Lockbox service provider cannot match documents and applications mailed in separate envelopes. 11
Record Of Proceeding (I-140) I-907 (Application for Premium Processing) G28 (Signed by I-140 Petitioner) I-140 I-140 Cover Letter (with Index) Labor Certification (if required) I-140 Supporting Documentation, to include degree certificates, transcripts and job experience letters, and other supporting documents 12
Record Of Proceeding (I-485) G-28 (Signed by I-485 Applicant) I-485 I-485A (if required) I-485 Cover Letter (with Index) G-325A Copy of I-94 Copy of Passport I-20 A-B/I-20 ID (if current or prior student) DS-2019 (if current or prior exchange visitor) I-864 (if required), with supporting documents underneath 13
Record Of Proceeding (I-485 cont.) I-134 (if required), with supporting documents underneath I-601 (if required), with supporting documents underneath I-602 (if required), with supporting documents underneath I-212 (if required), with supporting documents underneath Birth Certificate Marriage Certificate (if appropriate) Divorce Decrees (if appropriate) I-797 I-693 Medical Exam leave in sealed envelope unopened Other I-485 Supporting Documentation 14
Record of Proceeding (I-131) Form G-28 (Signed by I-485 applicant) Form I-131 Application Evidence of Refugee/Asylee Status (For Refugee Travel Document) Copy of identity document (birth certificate and/or passport)* Photos (secured with staple in envelope or holder) Copy of Form I-94 Copy of passport Other supporting documentation Note: When filing Form I-131 concurrently with Form I-485, be sure to include a copy of the identity document with both forms. 15
Record of Proceeding (I-765) Form G-28 (Signed by I-485 applicant) Form I-765 Copy of identity document (birth certificate and/or passport) Copy of prior EAD, if applicable Other supporting documents When filing Form I-765 concurrently with Form I-485, be sure to include a copy of the identity document with both forms. 16
Cover Letters Should contain SUMMARY of the argument and how the documents provided relate to the evidence. Steer away from a long technical explanation. Focus on the impact that the work/accomplishments have on the area of endeavor. Index should have corresponding numbers or letters for reference to the document. Documents should be divided by 8 x 10 sized paper (colored preferably Green, purple, tan or any neon color, NO BLUE, RED OR PINK) with the corresponding index number or letter. DO NOT send tabs or dividers to Lockbox. 17
No Tab Dividers 18
Colored Dividers 19
More is not always better 20
More is not always better No DVDs Not entire article Provide only the part of the article pertaining to the beneficiary No Portfolios No copies of books 21
Expedited Filing Big and Bold Do not use highlighter other than yellow State the reason for the expedite Ensure the reason meets the criteria for an expedite. All expedites are reviewed on a case-bycase basis and are granted at the discretion of the Director. 22
Expedite Criteria Severe financial loss to company or Individual Extreme emergent situation Humanitarian situation Nonprofit status of requesting organization in furtherance of the cultural and social interests of the United States. 23
Expedite Criteria (Cont.) Department of Defense or National Interest Situation (Note: Request must come from official U.S. Government entity and state that delay will be detrimental to our government) USCIS error Compelling interest of USCIS 24
Post-Filing Expedites If you have already filed your application or petition: You can make an expedite request by contacting the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283. 25
RFEs & Motions Always send RFE responses and Motions to Re- Open to the address provided in the RFE or denial. Do not address RFEs and Appeals to the Service Center Director. This will only slow down the process. Include the gold sheet that came with the RFE or denial (if TSC) or return notice and special envelope (if NSC). All RFEs must have a response within 87 days. 26
Additional Hints Submit all evidence required for each individual application/petition even if filing concurrently. For example, make sure to submit an extra identity document with your I-765 application. Please remember to attend your ASC appointment as scheduled. 27
Contact Information National Customer Service Center 800 375-5283 Texas Service Center tsc.ncscfollowup@dhs.gov Nebraska Service Center ncscfollowup.nsc@dhs.gov Vermont Service Center vsc.ncscfollowup@dhs.gov California Service Center csc-ncsc-followup@dhs.gov 28
Contact Information (Cont.) TSC Premium Processing Unit tsc.premium.140@dhs.gov Lockbox lockboxsupport@dhs.gov Community Engagement Officers tsc.university@dhs.gov (Jack Jaggers) CEO.NSC@dhs.gov (Kathryn Nicholas) 29
USCIS Business Representatives Conference Presented by the Nebraska and Texas Service Centers - May 9, 2012 8:30 Arrive, Register, and Meet & Greet 9:00 Welcome Mark Hazuda, Director, Nebraska Service Center 9:15 It All Starts With You - Filing Tips for the Journey Jack Jaggers, Community Engagement Officer, Texas Service Center Meg Comstock, Supervisory Management & Program Analyst, Dallas Lockbox 10:00 Inquiries and Stakeholder Communication Doug Platt, Supervisory Immigration Services Officer, Nebraska Service Center 10:15 Break 10:30 I-9 and E-Verify Steve Warner, Management & Program Analyst, Nebraska Verification Operations Center 11:30 Lunch 12:30 Transformation Neil Jacobson, Assistant Center Director, Nebraska Service Center 1:15 I-140 Panel General Issues Barb Ahlm, Acting Assistant Center Director, Nebraska Service Center Barb Malcom, Don Moody, Kevin Smith, and Melissa Wimmer, Supervisory Immigration Service Officers, Nebraska Service Center Julie Kennedy-Lindstrom, Supervisory Immigration Services Officer, Texas Service Center Sophia Cox, Special Assistant, Service Center Operations 1:45 I-140 Panel Entrepreneurs in Residence Kevin Smith, Supervisory Immigration Services Officer, Nebraska Service Center Sophia Cox, Special Assistant, Service Center Operations 2:15 Break 2:30 I-485 Panel Alisha Soucie, Supervisory Immigration Officer, Nebraska Service Center Wyvette Covington, Assistant Center Director, Texas Service Center Sophia Cox, Special Assistant, Service Center Operations 3:15 Ancillary Forms Panel Mary Hoatson, Senior Immigration Services Officer, Nebraska Service Center Tim Pearce, Senior Immigration Services Officer, Texas Service Center 3:45 Closing Remarks Kathryn Nicholas, Community Engagement Officer, Nebraska Service Center 4:00 Tour of Nebraska Service Center Facility Shawn Allen, Special Assistant, Nebraska Service Center Kathryn Nicholas, Community Engagement Officer, Nebraska Service Center AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 12031666. (Posted 05/07/12)
Meeting Invitation Business Representatives Conference The Nebraska Service Center (NSC) invites all immigration legal representatives to attend the Business Representatives Conference on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. The NSC is partnering with the Texas Service Center (TSC) to provide an opportunity to meet staff in person and share information on various immigration related topics through presentation and open dialogue. The Business Representatives Conference is an all-day event which will be held at the NSC Highlands Facility in Lincoln, Nebraska. Please note that there is no call-in option for this meeting. This conference will include panel discussions of business topics relating to Form I-140 and Employment-Based Form I-485, as well as presentations on the topics of E-Verify and Transformation. The agenda for this meeting will be constructed with you in mind. If there are topics or questions you would like to discuss at the conference, please provide them in advance. The conference agenda will be primarily based on the questions and topics received. Agenda Items: Please submit agenda items to ceo.nsc@dhs.gov no later than April 11, 2012. RSVP: If you would like to attend this Business Representatives Conference, please provide your full name and the office or organization you represent to Kathryn Nicholas at ceo.nsc@dhs.gov no later than May 1, 2012. Those who RSVP for this engagement will receive a finalized agenda as we approach the date of the meeting. If you need additional information, you may contact Kathryn Nicholas at the email above or by telephone at (402) 219-6405. We look forward to engaging with you! AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 12031666. (Posted 03/16/12)