October 21st, 2022 by WCBC Radio
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone Thursday wrote to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Baltimore District Director Greg Collett urging him to address concerning trends in the delivery of routine services at the USCIS Baltimore Field Office. The lack of responsiveness from the USCIS Baltimore Field Office “frustrates our constituents and leaves them with an upsetting lack of information about decisions that are fundamental to their livelihoods,” the delegation said.
“We recognize that the past few years have been particularly challenging for USCIS nationwide,” the delegation wrote to Collett. However, there are “significant delays in processing numerous immigration benefits adjudicated by the USCIS Baltimore Field Office, such as family, employment and asylum-based I-485 applications, I-130 petitions, and I-751 applications … public data suggests that the USCIS Baltimore Field Office’s processing times lag considerably behind most other field offices across the country.”
“These delays have real, devastating consequences on the lives of individuals, families, and employers in Maryland. Delayed processing times negatively affect our constituents’ employment and financial welfare. Marylanders are regularly denied promotions, transfers, or growth opportunities because they have not yet received the benefits for which they applied. Delays create financial and emotional stress for the families and communities of applicants.”
The lawmakers urge the Baltimore District Director to improve services and communication with the public and Congress.