Boston Immigration Partner Weighs-In on USCIS Plans to Reduce Backlogs and Processing Times

Brian Coughlin was interviewed by SHRM after the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced new actions on March 29 to help reduce caseload backlogs and improve processing times for immigration applications. He was asked about a final rule expanding premium processing, which is an expedited service now available only to petitioners filing for temporary workers and to certain employment-based green card petitioners.

"Premium processing service ensures that USCIS will adjudicate a filing within 15 calendar days from its receipt," said Brian. "The government fee is presently $2,500. This is a very useful, albeit expensive option, as normal case processing times are extremely lengthy—more than a year—for some case types."

The final rule expands the categories of forms ultimately eligible for premium processing services to include additional categories of I-140 green card petitions, certain Form I-765 EAD applications, and some Form I-539 applications to change or extend status.

"Expanding premium processing service to EAD applications will provide much-needed relief to thousands of people who are presently unable to lawfully work in the U.S.," he added. "It will also provide relief to employers, who are suffering from a lack of candidates during the present labor shortage."

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