March 22, 2018

Castro Leads CHC in Demanding Answers on New USCIS Oversight Division

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), First Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, led his colleagues from the Hispanic Caucus in a letter to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Francis Cissna requesting information about the creation of a new division that reportedly seeks to “police” its caseworkers. The lawmakers expressed their concerns amid the Trump administration’s harsh immigration policies and disrespect for this community.

“As you know, USCIS plays a critical role in the nation’s immigration system. USCIS processes various benefits for thousands of petitioners a day and decides which individuals can obtain immigration relief.  At a time when the Trump administration has shown a blatant disregard for immigrant communities, it is imperative that USCIS, and its employees, remain impartial and give each application due consideration. USCIS has a duty to assist all immigrants who satisfy the application requirements,” the Members wrote.

The Members continued: “As members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, we have a stake in the policies USCIS adopts. These policies directly affect our constituents and we have a right to keep them well informed of any changes to the agency.”

The letter was also signed by Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01); Second Vice Chair Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07); Whip Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-31); Freshman Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13); Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51); Congressman Ruben J. Kihuen (NV-04); Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29); Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44); Congressman J. Luis Correa (CA-46); Congressman Ben Ray Luján (NM-03); Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03); Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38); Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32); Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09); and Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35).

The full letter, including the specific list of questions the lawmakers posed, follows and can be found here.

 

March 21, 2018

The Honorable L. Francis Cissna

Director

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

20 Massachusetts Ave. NW

Washington, D.C. 20529

 

Dear Director Cissna:

We write to request more information about the creation of a new division at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that reportedly seeks to “police” its caseworkers.  According to the Washington Post, USCIS is reassigning staff members to this new division, named the Organization of Professional Responsibility, to investigate “cases involving fraud, waste, abuse, or misconduct by USCIS employees.” We are concerned that USCIS is considering this new internal office in light of the harmful changes USCIS has already proposed to lawful immigration numbers and to its mission statement. We are also concerned that this new oversight division has not been widely disclosed among employees and contractors, and that this new division seeks to root out those who do not wholeheartedly agree with the Trump administration’s hardline immigration views.

As you know, USCIS plays a critical role in the nation’s immigration system.  USCIS processes various benefits for thousands of petitioners a day and decides which individuals can obtain immigration relief.  At a time when the Trump administration has shown a blatant disregard for immigrant communities, it is imperative that USCIS, and its employees, remain impartial and give each application due consideration.  USCIS has a duty to assist all immigrants who satisfy the application requirements. 

As members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, we have a stake in the policies USCIS adopts.  These policies directly affect our constituents and we have a right to keep them well informed of any changes to the agency.  Therefore, please provide written answers to the following questions at your earliest convenience and provide a Member-level briefing on the Hill at your earliest convenience:

  • Why is the creation of the Organization of Professional Responsibility necessary? Please describe, in detail, the Organization’s purpose and how its functions are intended to rectify issues that were identified in the 2016 Office of Inspector General report. In answering this question, please provide a list of interim policy changes that will be executed through or with the facilitation of this new entity.
  • What guidance, if any, have you shared to USCIS employees about the Organization of Professional Responsibility?  According to the Washington Post article, employees seem to be unaware about this change in order and policy at the USCIS. Arguably, these conditions seem to be consistent with the issues that that the OIG identified previously, analyzed and provided recommendations for its remedy (p. 8, 9, 22). Please describe, in detail, how your agency is communicating this policy with current employees.
  • How are USCIS employees to be evaluated under this new office?  Please list the exact criteria, including any intended quantitative or qualitative measures this new entity will employ. How will this differ from current/previous methods?
  • How does USCIS define what it means for an employee to be “too lenient” or “forgiving” on immigration benefit applications?  Please list the exact criteria. Please provide a list of intended qualitative or quantitative metrics that your agency will use to evaluate such assessments. 
  • If a caseworker is found to violate the parameters of the office, will they be reprimanded?  If so, how will they be reprimanded? What recourse do employees have?

Thank you for your attention to the important matter.  We look forward to your response. 

Sincerely,

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