Alien Applications: Processing Differences Exist Among INS Field Units

Highlights

GAO reviewed whether significant differences in production rates and processing times existed among Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) field units in alien application processing, focusing on what factors INS officials believe could have caused the differences. GAO did not attempt to do the more detailed analyses that would be necessary to determine actual causes.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Department of Justice	The Attorney General should direct the Commissioner, INS, to periodically determine and assess the production rates and processing times in the INS field units.	Closed – Implemented INS annually assesses production rates and monthly assesses processing time. Action Completed. Case Closed.
Other	The Commissioner, INS, should first ensure that the field units are consistently reporting the data used to calculate the rates and times.	Closed – Implemented INS agreed with the recommendation and is still in the process of implementing it.
Other	After ensuring that data are consistently reported, including using the same definitions, the Commissioner, INS, should analyze the production rates and processing times for each field unit by application type.	Closed – Implemented INS policy defines and assures consistency of data report. Action Completed. Case closed.
Other	After ensuring that data are consistently reported, including using the same definitions, the Commissioner, INS, should identify factors that contribute to making the field units more or less productive and timely.	Closed – Implemented INS policy defines and assures consistency of data.
Other	After ensuring that data are consistently reported, including using the same definitions, the Commissioner, INS, should determine whether and what changes could be made to make individual field units more productive and timely.	Closed – Implemented INS does workload and staffing analysis is applied to production rates to determine staffing needs.
Other	After ensuring that data are consistently reported, including using the same definitions, the Commissioner, INS, should follow up with the field units to ensure that appropriate changes are implemented.	Closed – Implemented INS reviews it processing data and take appropriate action.

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