Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano recently issued a press release highlighting the accomplishments of the department for 2009. The accomplishments concerning immigration included:
- DHS has implemented a “new, comprehensive strategy to reduce the demand for illegal employment,” including a new worksite enforcement policy that has led to 1,897 cases and 2,069 Form I-9 inspections targeting employers. The initiatives have also resulted in 142 Notices of Intent to Fine totaling $15,865,181.
- Reformation of the immigration detention system.
- Launch of the new, bilingual USCIS website.
- Clearance of FBI background checks that had a backlog of a year or more. Currently the vast majority of checks are completed within 30 days.
- USCIS has also reduced the backlog of immigration petitions by nearly 90% from fiscal year 2008 – with the average processing time for naturalization applicants dropping by nearly five months.
- DHS has begun accepting petitions for qualified widows of U.S. citizens and their minor, unmarried children to seek permanent legal status.
Lets hope that 2010 brings more good changes to DHS.