,i #aaf? ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #eiga ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,( ,,repres5tatives ,febru>y #bf1 #bjbj,mr4 ,crd5as 7= himself & ,mr4 ,/iv]s7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y ,a ,,bill ,to am5d ! ,immigration ,s]vices & ,infra/ructure ,improvem5ts ,act ( #bjjj to provide = additional rules reg>d+ process+ ( immigration applications1 & = o!r purposes4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,case ,backlog & ,transp>5cy ,act ( #bjbj4 #b4 ,purposes ,section #bjb ( ! ,immigration ,s]vices & ,infra/ructure ,improvem5ts ,act ( #bjjj 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aega7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 p>agraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 by /rik+ ,immigration & ,naturalization ,s]vice & ins]t+ ,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security2 7,b7 by /rik+ curr5t backlog & ins]t+ backlog2 & 7,c7 by /rik+ )9 #a ye> aft] enactm5t ( ?is ,act2 & 7#b7 9 p>agraph 7#b71 by /rik+ ,immigration & ,naturalization ,s]vice & ins]t+ ,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security4 #c4 ,def9itions ,section #bjc ( su* ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aegb7 is am5d$ to read z foll[s3 #bjc4 ,def9itions ,9 ?is title3 7#a7 ,active susp5se ,! t]m active susp5se means circum/ances 9 :i* ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security _c adjudicate an immigration b5efit application due to factors outside ( ! ,dep>tm5t's control1 includ+ any circum/ance 9 :i* a visa numb] is unavailable1 or circum/ances 9 :i* ! gov]nm5t is wait+ = a response f ! applicant or a ?ird gov]nm5t ag5cy4 7#b7 ,backlog ,! t]m backlog means ! exi/5ce ( a numb] ( immigration b5efit applications t are p5d+ be=e ! ,dep>tm5t outside ( applicable process+ "t goals1 m9us ^? applications 9 an active susp5se category4 ,! ,dep>tm5t _c assign a process+ "t goal t is long] ?an a maximum process+ timeframe set =? 9 section #bjb ( ! ,am]ican ,competitiv5ess 9 ! ,tw5ty-fir/ ,c5tury ,act ( #bjjj4 ,backlog may also be ref]r$ to z net backlog4 7#c7 ,case complete p] h\r rate ,! t]m case completion p] h\r rate ref]s to ! av]age am\nt ( adjudicative "t1 z measur$ 9 h\rs1 requir$ to complete process+ ( a p>ticul> category ( immigration b5efit application4 7#d7 ,gross backlog ,! t]m gross backlog means ! numb] ( immigration b5efit applications t are p5d+ be=e ! ,dep>tm5t outside ( applicable process+ "t goals1 irrespective ( :e!r ! applications are 9 an active susp5se category4 7#e7 ,immigration b5efit application ,! t]m immigration b5efit application means any application or petition to conf]1 c]tify1 *ange1 adju/1 or ext5d any /atus au?oriz$ "u ! ,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja et seq47 & any o!r application or petition = an immigration b5efit4 7#f7 ,process+ "t ,! t]m process+ "t means ! "t f ! fil+ ( an immigration b5efit application until ! complet$ process+ ( t application4 7#g7 ,process+ "t goal ,! t]m process+ "t goal means ! ! goal = a process+ "t e/abli%$ by ! ,dep>tm5t z an appropriate process+ "t = an immigration b5efit application =m type4 ,! ,dep>tm5t _c assign a process+ "t goal t is long] ?an a maximum process+ timeframe set =? 9 section #bjb ( ! ,am]ican ,competitiv5ess 9 ! ,tw5ty-fir/ ,c5tury ,act ( #bjjj4 4 #d4 ,immigration ,s]vices & ,infra/ructure ,improvem5ts ,acc\nt ,section #bjd ( su* ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aegc7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 subsection 7a71 by /rik+ ,attorney ,g5]al ea* place su* t]m appe>s & ins]t+ ,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security2 7#b7 9 subsection 7a77#a71 by /rik+ n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act2 7#c7 9 subsection 7a77#b71 by /rik+ ensure t a backlog does n develop aft] su* date & ins]t+ prev5t ! recurr5ce ( ! backlog aft] its elim9ation2 & 7#d7 9 subsection 7b77#a7-- 7,a7 by /rik+ ,dep>tm5t ( ,ju/ice & ins]t+ ,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security2 & 7,b7 by /rik+ ,attorney ,g5]al & ins]t+ ,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security4 #e4 ,reports to ,congress ,section #bje ( su* ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aegd7 is am5d$ to read z foll[s3 #bje4 ,reports to ,congress 7a7 ,qu>t]ly report 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] ea* ( ! fir/ ?ree qu>t]s ( ea* fiscal ye>1 ! ,secret>y %all publi% on ! ,dep>tm5t's website & submit to ! ,committees on ! ,judici>y1 ,appropriations1 & ,ov]sight & ,re=m ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 & to ! ,committees on ! ,judici>y1 ,appropriations1 & ,homel& ,security & ,gov]nm5tal ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate1 a report conc]n+ ! backlog 9 immigration b5efit applications z ( ! end ( t fiscal qu>t]4 7#b7 ,report elem5ts ,! report %all include-- 7,a7 ! numb] ( p5d+ immigration b5efit applications1 ! net backlog1 & ! gross backlog2 7,b7 a description ( ! active susp5se categories & ! numb] ( cases p5d+ 9 ea* category2 & 7,c7 ! av]age process+ "t = ea* b5efit application =m type & any *ange 9 t "t relative to ! end ( ! prior qu>t]4 7b7 ,annual report 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! end ( ea* fiscal ye> ! ,secret>y %all publi% on its website & submit to ! ,committees on ! ,judici>y1 ,appropriations1 & ,ov]sight & ,re=m ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 & to ! ,committees on ! ,judici>y1 ,appropriations1 & ,homel& ,security & ,gov]nm5tal ,affairs1 a report conc]n+ ! /atus (-- 7,a7 ! ,immigration ,s]vices & ,infra/ructure ,improvem5ts ,acc\nt z ( ! end ( ! fiscal ye>1 includ+ any unobligat$ balances ( appropriations 9 ! ,acc\nt2 & 7,b7 ! backlog 9 immigration b5efit applications z ( ! end ( ! fiscal ye>4 7#b7 ,report elem5ts ,! report %all include-- 7,a7 an analysis ( factors contribut+ to ! net & gross backlogs1 includ+ a detail$ assessm5t ( ! impacts ( ,dep>tm5t policies on ! net & gross backlogs2 7,b7 a description ( exi/+ & plann$ processes = qualitatively & quantitatively assess+ ! impacts on ! net & gross backlogs ( ,dep>tm5t policies bo? prior to & foll[+ implem5tation ( ^? policies2 7,c7 an assessm5t ( adh]5ce to processes ref]5c$ 9 subp>agraph 7,b72 7,d7 exi/+ ef=ts to elim9ate ! net backlog & m9imize ! gross backlog2 7,e7 a detail$ plan to elim9ate ! net backlog1 to prev5t recurr5ce ( ! net backlog aft] elim9ation1 & to m9imize ! gross backlog2 7,f7 a description ( exi/+ & plann$ quality controls = ensur+ fair1 accurate1 & consi/5t adjudication ( immigration b5efit applications2 7,g7 in=mation on ,dep>tm5t fund+1 includ+-- 7i7 an assessm5t ( h[ & to :at ext5t fund+1 bo? f fee acc\nts & appropriations1 0 allocat$ t[>d backlog elim9ation2 7ii7 ! id5tification ( any transf]s ( funds betwe5 fee acc\nts & betwe5 ,dep>tm5t compon5ts2 7iii7 description ( :e!r immigration-relat$ fees 7 us$ consi/5t ) legal requirem5ts reg>d+ su* use2 & 7iv7 an e/imate ( ! am\nt ( appropriat$ funds t w\ld be necess>y to elim9ate ! net backlog2 7,h7 :e!r immigration-relat$ que/ions convey$ by applicants1 petition]s1 b5efici>ies1 or au?oriz$ repres5tatives to ! ,dep>tm5t 7:e!r convey$ 9 p]son1 by telephone1 or by means ( ! ,int]net7 7 answ]$ effectively & effici5tly2 7,i7 7i7 ! in=mation ref]5c$ "u subsection 7a77#b7 z ( ! end ( ! fiscal ye>2 7ii7 a description ( any *anges to process+ "t goals made 9 ! two ye>s prior to ! annual report & h[ ^? *anges impact calculations ( ! net & gross backlogs2 7iii7 process+ "t goals = ea* b5efit application =m type & ! p]c5tage ( cases = :i* ! ,dep>tm5t complet$ process+ )9 ea* goal2 7iv7 ,/ate-by-,/ate data on ! numb] ( naturalization applications1 ! numb] ( adju/m5t ( /atus applications1 & ! ov]all numb] ( immigration b5efit applications1 p5d+ = up to #f mon?s1 #ab mon?s1 #ah mon?s1 #bd mon?s1 #cf mon?s1 & #dh mon?s or m2 7v7 cease completion rates p] h\r = ea* b5efit application type2 7vi7 ! numb] ( all immigration b5efit applications receiv$1 & process$1 by ! ,dep>tm5t1 bo? 9 ! aggregate & z disaggregat$ by b5efit application type2 & 7vii7 ! approval & d5ial rates associat$ ) ! process$ cases ref]5c$ "u subclause 7iv71 disaggregat$ by immigration b5efit application type2 7,j7 ,/ate-by-,/ate data on-- 7i7 ! numb] ( naturalization cases adjudicat$ 9 ea* qu>t] ( ea* fiscal ye>2 7ii7 ! av]age process+ "t = naturalization applications2 7iii7 e/imat$ process+ times adjudicat+ newly submitt$ naturalization applications2 & 7iv7 ! additional res\rces & process *anges ne$$ to elim9ate ! backlog = naturalization adjudications2 & 7,k7 a /atus report on all o!r immigration b5efit application =m types1 includ+-- 7i7 applications = adju/m5ts ( /atus to t ( an ali5 lawfully admitt$ = p]man5t resid5ce2 7ii7 petitions = nonimmigrant visas "u section #bjd2 7iii7 petitions fil$ "u section #bjd to classify ali5s z imm$iate relatives or pref]5ce immigrants "u section #aaec ( ?is title2 7iv7 applications = asylum "u section #bjh2 7v7 regi/rations = tempor>y protect$ /atus "u section #bdd2 7vi7 applications = employm5t au?orization "u section #bgd;,a2 & 7vii7 ! additional res\rces & process *anges ne$$ to elim9ate ! backlog = all immigration b5efit application =m types "u ?is subp>agraph4 7c7 ,bi5nial report 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date on :i* ?is section is enact$1 & e two ye>s !reaft]1 ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates %all publi% on its website & submit to ! ,committees on ! ,judici>y1 ,appropriations1 & ,ov]sight & ,re=m ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 & to ! ,committees on ! ,judici>y1 ,appropriations1 & ,homel& ,security & ,gov]nm5tal ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate1 a report conc]n+ ! backlog 9 immigration b5efit applications4 7#b7 ,report elem5ts ,! report %all include-- 7,a7 a description ( ! /atus ( ! net backlog1 ( ! gross backlog1 & ( ! ov]all numb] ( p5d+ immigration b5efit applications2 7,b7 an assessm5t ( factors contribut+ to ! net & gross backlogs1 includ+ an analysis ( ! impacts ( ,dep>tm5t policies on ! net & gross backlogs & an analysis ( ! ,dep>tm5t's =mal processes = qualitatively & quantitatively assess+ ! impacts ( its policies on ! net & gross backlogs2 7,c7 an assessm5t ( exi/+ & plann$ ,dep>tm5t ef=ts to elim9ate ! net backlog1 to prev5t recurr5ce ( ! net backlog aft] its elim9ation1 & to m9imize ! gross backlog2 7,d7 an assessm5t ( exi/+ & plann$ ,dep>tm5t ef=ts to ensure fair1 accurate1 & consi/5t adjudication ( immigration b5efit applications2 & 7,e7 recomm5dations = m exp$iti\sly process+ immigration b5efit applications :ile ensur+ fairness1 accuracy1 & consi/5cy 9 process+4 4 #f4 ,immigration functions 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #dgh ( ! ,homel& ,security ,act ( #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #bih7 is am5d$ to read z foll[s3 #dgh4 ,s5se ( ,congress reg>d+ immigration s]vices ,x is ! s5se ( ,congress t-- 7#a7 ! quality & effici5cy ( immigration s]vices r5d]$ by ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t %\ld be improv$ aft] ! transf]s made by ?is subtitle take effect2 7#b7 ! ,secret>y %\ld und]take ef=ts to gu>antee t conc]ns reg>d+ ! quality & effici5cy ( immigration s]vices are address$ aft] su* effective date2 & 7#c7 ! ,secret>y _c assign a process+ "t goal t is long] ?an a maximum process+ timeframe set =? 9 section #bjb ( ! ,am]ican ,competitiv5ess 9 ! ,tw5ty-fir/ ,c5tury ,act ( #bjjj 4 7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,section #a7;b7 ( ! ,homel& ,security ,act ( #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #aja note7 is am5d$ 9 ! table ( cont5ts by /rik+ ! item relat+ to section #dgh & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 ,sec4 #dgh4 ,s5se ( ,congress reg>d+ immigration s]vices4 4