The Ombudsman's Annual Report to Congress
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By statute, the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman publicly submits an annual report to Congress by June 30 of each calendar year.
The Ombudsman’s annual reports summarize the work of the office during the reporting period and identify systemic issues with the administrative delivery of services at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). After the Ombudsman submits each annual report to congress, USCIS has 90 days by statute to issue a response.
Annual Report 2011
On June 29, 2011, Ombudsman January Contreras submitted the 2011 Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman’s Annual Report to Congress.
In her opening message, Ombudsman Contreras writes:
"In this role, I have had the opportunity to interact with people from around the world who have immigrated, or are trying to immigrate, to the United States. They never cease to inspire me…The Ombudsman’s Office has the responsibility for and privilege of helping…individuals, along with those who petition on their behalf, to navigate the citizenship and immigration process. On a one-on-one basis, we help resolve problems encountered by those seeking immigration benefits, and we make solution-oriented proposals to help improve the immigration benefits system."
This Annual Report identifies ways of solving some of the serious and pervasive issues that stakeholders experience with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), such as:
- Encouraging enhancements to USCIS’ humanitarian programs;
- Calling for agency action on issues, including survivor benefits, visa retrogression, the immigrant investor visa (EB-5) program, and Requests for Evidence; and,
- Improving customer service, interagency coordination, and assessing progress in modernizing USCIS’ systems and processing through the Transformation project.
The report also highlights new USCIS outreach and policy initiatives, efforts that demonstrate USCIS’ commitment to providing better immigration services and ongoing challenges.
- Read the Executive Summary of the Ombudsman’s 2011 Annual Report to Congress (PDF, 5 pages – 1.82 MB)
- Read the Ombudsman’s full 2011 Annual Report to Congress (PDF, 84 pages – 5.61 MB)
- Read the Ombudsman’s full 2011 Annual Report to Congress on Spanish (PDF, 84 pages – 4.6 MB)
If you have difficulties accessing a file or need assistance, please contact the Ombudsman's Office at 202-357-8100.
Prior Annual Reports
2010
- 2010 Annual Report to Congress (PDF, 144 pages – 6.88 MB)
- 2010 USCIS Response (PDF, 29 pages - 264 KB)
2009
- 2009 Annual Report to Congress (PDF, 119 pages – 2.11 MB)
- 2009 USCIS Response (PDF, 32 pages – 335 KB)
2008
- 2008 Annual Report (PDF, 114 pages – 8.88 MB)
- 2008 USCIS Response (PDF, 24 pages – 124 KB)
2007
- 2007 Annual Report (PDF, 145 pages – 1.3 MB)
- 2007 USCIS Response (Thematic) (PDF, 8 pages – 62 KB)
- 2007 USCIS Response (Recommendations) (PDF, 14 pages – 97 KB)
2006
- 2006 Annual Report (PDF, 117 pages – 1.8 MB)
- 2006 USCIS Response (PDF, 31 pages – 176 KB)
2005
- 2005 Annual Report (PDF, 53 pages – 628 KB)
- 2005 USCIS Response (PDF, 16 pages – 77 KB)
2004
- 2004 Annual Report (PDF, 26 pages – 1.4 MB)
- 2004 USCIS Response (PDF, 4 pages – 2.31 MB)
Contact the Ombudsman's Office
By mail or phone:
Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman
Department of Homeland Security
Mail Stop 1225
Washington, D.C. 20528
Phone: 1-855-882-8100 (toll free) or 202-357-8100 (local)
Fax: 202-357-0042
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Adobe Acrobat (PDF)This page was last reviewed / modified on November 18, 2011.