description of document: us citizenship and immigration

Description of document: US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Significant Interest Group (SIG) Weekly Reports, 2013-2014

Request date: 04-April-2014 Released date: 29-April-2014 Posted date: 25-August-2014 Source of document: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

National Records Center, FOIA/PA Office P. O. Box 648010 Lee’s Summit, MO 64064-8010 Fax: (802) 288-1793 or (816) 350-5785 Email: [email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]?subject=FOIA%20Request

April 29, 2014

U.S. Department or Homeland S<'~:uri·tv National Records Center P.O. Box 648010 Lee's Summit, MO 64064-8010

COW2014000219

This is in response to your Freedom oflnformation Act/Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) request received in this office April 04, 2014 regarding SIG Weekly Report from 2011 to 2014.

We have completed the review of all documents and have identified 53 pages that are responsive to your request. Enclosed are 45 pages released in their entirety, and 8 pages released in part. We have reviewed and have determined to release all information except those portions that are exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552 (b)(6) and (b)(7)(C) of the FOIA.

o Exemption (b)(6) permits the government to withhold all information about individuals in personnel, medical and similar files where the disclosure of such information would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. The types of documents and/or information we have withheld may consist of birth certificates, naturalization certificates, drivers' licenses, social security numbers, home addresses, dates of birth, or various other documents and/or information belonging to a third party that are considered personal.

o Exemption (b)(7)(C) provides protection for personal information in law enforcement records, which could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. We have withheld information relating to third-party individuals. The types of documents and/or information we have withheld could consist of names, addresses, identification numbers, telephone numbers, fax numbers, or various other documents that are considered personal.

In accordance with Department of Homeland Security Regulations (6 C.F.R. § 5.4(a)), USCIS uses a "cut-off' date to delineate the scope of a FOIA request by treating records created after that date as not responsive to that request. Therefore, in determining which records are responsive to your request, we included only records in the possession of this agency as of 4/4/14 the date we began the search for records.

The enclosed record consists of the best reproducible copies available. Certain pages may contain marks that appear to be blacked-out information. If so, the black marks were made prior to our receipt of the file and are not information we have withheld under the provisions of the FOIA or PA.

If you wish to appeal this determination, you may write to the USCIS FOIA/PA Appeals Office, 150 Space Center Loop, Suite 500, Lee's Summit, MO 64064-2139, within 60 days of the date of this letter. Both the letter and the envelope should be clearly marked "Freedom of Information Act Appeal."

www.uscis.gov

COW2014000219 Page 2

The National Records Center does not process petitions, applications or any other type of benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act. If you have questions or wish to submit documentation relating to a matter pending with the bureau, you must address these issues with your nearest District Office.

All FOIA/PA related requests, including address changes, must be submitted in writing and be signed by the requester. Please include the control number listed above on all correspondence with this office. Requests may be mailed to the FO IA/PA Officer at the PO Box listed at the top of the letterhead, or sent by fax to (816) 350-5785. You may also submit FOIA/PA related requests to our e-mail address at [email protected].

Jill A. Eggleston Director, FOIA Operations

Cheeks, Jessica 1 '

From: Cheeks, Jessica Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 io:42 AM i To: Alfonso, Angelica M; Atkinson, Ronald A; Austin, Deon T; Bellisime,·Tracy A; Bentley, ·

Christ,opher S; Bird, Rose M; Caraballo, Felix R; Cioppa, Thomas M; Contaldi, Kerry Ti ·. • Cornell, Cynthia M; Correa1 Sor~yi3; Dyggap, A~ber R; Eggl,~s~Rn, Ji.II A; Garner, David C;

~·,/ ';':), ("\'.""''··,·:-., 'r'"• . . ~~~.~·,··1('·~·,,·. , .,, ... -' --~·· .. 1,'- '···-·!···-:. ' ,.,., '• ' :. ··Greenwood; ·Tembra'A;'Gregor}i, Peter D; Holzer,· James; Jacobs, Gilbert L; Jones,· Rendell

• .: - . . , . ' . . • , . • I

• • 1L; Kendall~· Sa.rah M;· Knepper, Tom: MiLanglois,:Joseph: E; legomsky,· Stephen-H;.

-~· .· ,Mccament,\James W;;Meckley, tamniy'M;Melero, Mariela;'Monica, Donald J; Neufeld, . , . I·

: !:Jl.•: -w,. . · · Q9Qa)d:}.1V~,P,arisi, 1Tl)Q1T1~s.· ty1; ~aines, dacq~ f:.; Rhew, Perry J; ~oles, Rebecca J; Ross, Tiffany I; Schuley, Philfip ~-i; ·schwart£.MarkA; Scialabba, Lorij L; Sloan, Terry G; Stah~ey,

· · ; .~aJple~n M;, Vl'Doru, Victqria E; U.S~~s ~x_ec Sec; \JY~lsh,~~rian 1~; f:~ragoza; Conr13d J;

•: ·' ··;Bau,gh~r,J~~~ry.,T;:,:<:-'[>.;;. ·. :. .. ;. ; ., :·.'~··.·· ._ 1

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Subject: ' (\~;; '. . . ' . usc~s .w~~~IY,, Repl?rt, ~~pte111b~r.2~ ~"9,~t.o~~r. 2~~ ?O~~ . !J 'I '' ' :. . •· . ' Attachments: · · • · COW2013000831 "Request.pdf; COW2013000737 Request.pdf; COW2013000740.

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II. •. ' ... , '"' .... - .

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I 1. Media Requesters-. f ·; • . , .. . .. · • .. · · -i~'· ."; f· , 'I '. · ·

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•. On Septemoer 27, 2013, Joel Millman, a reporter.with.The WaU·StreetJournal in Portland, Oregon, requested .from the United States,Citi~enship and:ImrriiW.ation Setvices @s·cI~)the total number of

· a~ylum_ .. ". appl.i~ati~ris gI"an.·.ted ~y.ca~egory artd.~ationa.Iity fro~. fl~cafy~ar; 2ooi1' tfuou~ 2013. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000740) , · . . . ·- 1• •. , • • • • . , .

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· 11,linois,_ requested from th~ United _Stat~~ Ptizen~hip an4. Immigration Service~ (USCIS) statistics ·pertaining to the N-400 application from 2008 through the present. {Case Number USCIS cow201~ooos31) · · . ,. I

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2. !Jtdjviduals - . . . I . . .

• On Septei:µber 25,. 2013, Peter Themelis, an individual in Nottingham, Maryland, requested from the United . States Citizenship and.Inunigration Services (USCIS) all e-mails between Kathleen Hbchman ofllSCJS apd Chris Greco of the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD)regarding tlie detail J . . . I ,_ ________ _

to NPPD from July 1, 2010 through Deeember 31, 2010. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000737) (b)(6)

3. Organizations -

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4. Multiple Items Requested -

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Cheeks, Jessica

From: Sent: To:

Subject:

Cheeks, Jessica Wednesday, October 30, 2013 11:24 AM Alfonso, Angelica M; Atkinson, Ronald A; Austin, Deon T; Bellisime, Tracy A; Bentley, Christopher S; Bird, Rose M; Caraballo, Felix R; Cioppa, Thomas M; Contaldi, Kerry T; Cornell, Cynthia M; Correa, Soraya; Duggan, Amber R; Eggleston, Jill A; Garner, David C; Greenwood, Tembra A; Gregory, Peter D; Holzer, James; Jacobs, Gilbert L; Jones, Rendell L; Kendall, Sarah M; Knepper, Tom M; Langlois, Joseph E; Legomsky, Stephen H; Mccament, James W; Meckley, Tammy M; Melero, Mariela; Monica, Donald J; Neufeld, Donald W; Parisi, Thomas M; Raines, Jacob A; Rhew, Perry J; Roles, Rebecca J; Ross, Tiffany I; Schuley, Phillip H; Schwartz, Mark A; Scialabba, Lori L; Sloan, Terry G; Stanley, Kathleen M; Umoru, Victoria E; USCIS Exec Sec; Welsh, Brian J; Zaragoza, Conrad J; Baugher, Jeffery T USCIS Weekly Report October 24- 30, 2013

I. Efficiency and Transparency -

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5. Requests for Congressional Correspondence -

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III. FOIA Releases

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IV. Lawsuits

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Cheeks, Jessica

From: Cheeks, Jessica Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 11:34 AM

Andoh, Roger D To: Subject: USCIS Weekly Report October 31- November 6, 2013

COW2013000861 Request.pdf Attachments:


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II. FOIA requests


• On October 18, 2013, David Iaconangelo, a journalist with the Latin Times in New York, New York, requested from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) statistics pertaining to T visas for Nonimmigrant Status for the New York City District from fiscal year (FY) 2010 through FY 2013. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000861)

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III. FOIA Releases

• On November 1, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Robert Deasy, a director with American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in Washington, DC, 2,321 pages of records consisting of e-mails and memorandum pertaining to the following information: (1) USCIS policy on the adjudication of applications for advance parole (Forms 1-131) and the issuance of advance parole documents for individuals with pending adjustment of status applications (Forms 1-485); and (2) USCIS policy on the treatment and adjudication of applications for adjustment of status. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000229) Click here to view

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• On November 6, 2013, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Pat Mullins, Chairman with the Republican Party of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia, 23 pages of records consisting of e-mail correspondence and documents pertaining to Green Tech Automotive and Gulf Coast Funds Management. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 4, 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000559) Click here to view

• On November 6, 2013, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Ian Mandel, an individual in Hoboken, New Jersey, 93 pages of records consisting of e-mails and documents pertaining to Green Tech Automotive and Gulf Coast Funds Management. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 4, 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000561) Click here to view

IV. Lawsuits

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Cheeks, Jessica

From: Sent: To: Subject:

Cheeks, Jessica Wednesday, November 13, 2013 1:55 PM Andoh, Roger D USCIS Weekly Report November 7- 13, 2013


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II. FOIA requests


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2. Individuals -

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3. Organizations -

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4. Multiple Items Requested

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ID. FOIA Releases

• On November 7, 2013 the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Peter Joseph, an executive director with the Association to Invest in the USA (IIUSA) in Chicago, Illinois, 2458 pages of records consisting of e-mail correspondence pertaining to the EB-5 program. Portions of this release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 4, 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000278) Click here to view

• On November 7, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Kenric Ward, a journalist with Watchdog.org in Locust Grove, Virginia, 913 pages of records consisting of EB-5 application documents for the Virginia Center for Foreign Investment and Job Creation. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 3, 4 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000275) Click here to view

IV. Lawsuits

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Cheeks, Jessica

From:· Sent:

Cheeks, Jessica .. Wednesday, November 20, 2013.2:3.4 PM ,

To: · Alfonso, Angelica M; Atkinson, Ronald A;.Austin, Deon T; Bellisime, Tracy A; Bentley, ··Christopher S; Bird, Rose M; Caraballo, Felix R; Cioppa, Thomas M; Contaldi, Kerry T;

• . I

Cornell, Cynthia M; Correa, Soraya; Duggan, Amber R; Eggleston, Jill A; Garner, David C; Greenwood, Tembra A; Gregory, Peter D; Holier, James; 'Jacobs, Gilbert L'; Jones, Rendell L; Kendall, ·sarah M; Knepper, Tom M; Langlois, Joseph E; Legomsky, Stephen H; Mccament, James W; Meckley, Tammy M; Melero, Mariela; Monica, Donald J; Neufeld, DonaldW; Parisi, ThomasM;·Raines,Jacob A; Rhew, Perry J; Roles, Rebecca J; Ross, Tiffany I; Schuley, Phillip H; Schw.artz, Mark A; Scialabba, Lori;L; Sloan, Terry G; Stanley, Kathleen M; Umoru, Victoria E; USCIS Exec Sec; Welsh, Brian J; Zaragoza, Conrad J;

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Baugher, Jeffery T Subject: ' !

USCIS Weekly:Report November i4- 20; 2013 '« ,

Attachments: • . I

COW20i3000886 Request.pdf; COW2013000889 Request.pdf; COVIJ2013000890 Request.pdf; COW2013000892 Request.pdf; ·cOW2013000898 Request.pdf; COW201'3000896 Request.pdf; COW2013000913 Request.pdf

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I. Efficiency an.d Transparency -.

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II. FOIA requests .' !

1. Media Requesters - · · ; I; i

" : . i. • On November 4·, 2013, Matt Smith, a reporter with The Center for Investigative Reporting in

Berkeley, Califorma, requested from the U. s. Citizenship and Imnligration Services (USCIS) copies of all guidance and documents regarding H-IB and the Benefits Fraud Assessment Report. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000890) . . . I

• ·ori November 6, ·2013, Jason-Smathers, a'repr~sentative wit\1 Muck.Ro~k News in Boston, Massachusetts, requested from the u: S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) all records concerning the hiring of employees who have been convicted of a criminal off~nse or arrested. (Case Number USCJS. COW2013000889) . . . ' . · . ~

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• On November 12, 201J, HB C~o, a reporter with the Korea Daily Newspaper in Duluth, Georgia, TuOsted from the u

1 S. Citizen. ship and Immi~ation.Services (USCIS). all available documents related

-t _ • and his.,immediate family. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000913) ' ! ' ' I

2. · Individuals .:.. • . (15)(6) . l

• · On November 7, 2013, Tho~a~ Jones~ an indi'vidual .in Edg~wate;, Mar)rl~d,,requested from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) correspondence from ahd to Congressman William Cassidy pertaining to the follQ\\:'ing: {1) legislation ouegulations; (4) recommendations for executive

. _ branch positions; and (3) federal funding (or programs. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000892) ' I • • ~ ' I , .1 •

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• On November 1, 2013, Michelle Cohen, a representative with Project Vote in Washington, DC, requested from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) all records pertaining to use of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system for elections, registration of voters, and maintenance of voter registration lists from February 11, 2013 through the present. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000898)

• On November 4, 2013, Robert Deasy, a director with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in Washington, DC, requested from the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) all records relating to the June 3, 2013 memorandum from the Fraud Detection and National Security directorate (FDNS) concerning revised H·IB Anti·Fraud Operational Guidance. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000896)

• On November 7, 2013, Robert Deasy, a director with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in Washington, DC, requested from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) statistics concerning L·IB petitions for the California Service Center and Vermont Service Center for fiscal years 2012 and 2013. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000886)


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III. FOIA Releases

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IV. Lawsuits

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Cheeks, Jessica

From: Sent: To:

Cheeks, Jessica Wednesday, December 04, 2013 11:11 AM Alfonso, Angelica M; Atkinson, Ronald A; Austin, Deon T; Bellisime, Tracy A; Bentley, Christopher S; Bird, Rose M; Caraballo, Felix R; Cioppa, Thomas M; Contaldi, Kerry T; Cornell, Cynthia M; Correa, Soraya; Duggan, Amber R; Eggleston, Jill A; Garner, David C; Greenwood, Tembra A; Gregory, Peter D; Holzer, James; 'Jacobs, Gilbert L'; Jones, Rendell L; Kendall, Sarah M; Knepper, Tom M; Langlois, Joseph E; Legomsky, Stephen H; Mccament, James W; Meckley, Tammy M; Melero, Mariela; Monica, Donald J; Neufeld, Donald W; Parisi, Thomas M; Raines, Jacob A; Rhew, Perry J; Roles, Rebecca J; Ross, Tiffany I; Schuley, Phillip H; Schwartz, Mark A; Scialabba, Lori L; Sloan, Terry G; Stanley, Kathleen M; Umoru, Victoria E; USCIS Exec Sec; Welsh, Brian J; Zaragoza, Conrad J; Baugher, Jeffery T; Andoh, Roger D

Subject: USCIS Weekly Report November 21- December 4, 2013 Attachments: COW2013000925 Request.pdf; COW2013000941 Request.pdf; COW2013000944

Request.pdf; COW2013000946 Request.pdf


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II. FOIA requests (b)(6)

1. Media Requesters -. .

• On November 16, 2013, James Meek, a journalist with ABC News in Washington, DC, requested from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to the following individuals: (1) [Case Number USCIS COW2013000925); and (2l I

I i(Case Number USCIS COW2013000941)

• On November 25, 2013, Jordana Gustafson, a reporter with Oregon Public Broadcasting in Portland, Oregon, requested from the I ! S rnj,ship and Immigration Services (USCIS) immigration documents pertaining tol (Case Number USCIS COW2013000946)

(b)(6) • On November 27, 2013, Eliot Brown, a reporter with the Wall Street Journal in New York, New York,

requested from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) EB-5 application documents pertaining.to Related Cos. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000944)

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5. Requests for Congressional Correspondence

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III. FO IA Releases

• On November 25, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Marinka Peschmann, a freelance journalist in Ontario, Canada, 61 pages of records consisting of e-mails and documents pertaining to Gulf Coast Funds Management from January 1, 2009 to the present. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 4 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000573) Click here to view

• On November 25, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Kenric Ward, a journalist with Watchdog.org in Alexandria Virginia, 45 pages of records consisting of e-mail correspondence and documents pertaining to Green Tech Automotive and Gulf Coast Funds Management. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 4, 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000270) Click here to view

• On November 29, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Jill Replogle, a journalist with KPBS in San Diego, California, 61 pages of records consisting of e-mails and a copy of the draft testimony prepared by Joseph Langlois for the Subcommittee on National Security of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemption 5. (Case Number USCIS NRC2013097522) Click here to view

• On December 4, 2013, the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Joel Millman, a reporter with The Wall Street Journal in Portland, Oregon, 3 pages of records and an Excel workbook consisting of data pertaining to the total number of asylum applications granted by category and nationality between fiscal year 2001 through 2013. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000740) Click here to view

• On December 4, 2013, the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Daniel Gilligan, an individual in Raleigh, North Carolina, 15 pages of records consisting of correspondence pertaining to Congressman Mark Schauer. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000936) Click here to view

IV. Lawsuits

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Cheeks, Jessica

From: Cheeks, Jessica Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2013 7:11 AM To: Alfonso, Angelica M; Atkinson, Ronald A; Austin, Deon T; Bellisime, Tracy A; Bentley,

Christopher S; Bird, Rose M; Caraballo, Felix R; Cioppa, Thomas M; Contaldi, Kerry T; Cornell, Cynthia M; Correa, Soraya; Duggan, Amber R; Eggleston, Jill A; Garner, David C; Greenwood, Tembra A; Gregory, Peter D; Holzer, James; 'Jacobs, Gilbert L'; Jones, Rendell L; Kendall, Sarah M; Knepper, Tom M; Langlois, Joseph E; 'Legomsky, Stephen H'; Mccament, James W; Meckley, Tammy M; Melero, Mariela; Monica, Donald J; Neufeld, Donald W; Parisi, Thomas M; Raines, Jacob A; Rhew, Perry J; Roles, Rebecca J; Ross, Tiffany I; Schuley, Phillip H; Schwartz, Mark A; Scialabba, Lori L; Sloan, Terry G; Stanley, Kathleen M; Umoru, Victoria E; USCIS Exec Sec; Welsh, Brian J; Zaragoza, Conrad J; Baugher, Jeffery T

Subject: l,JSCIS Weekly Report December 5- 11, 2013


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II. FOIA requests


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5. Requests for Congressional Correspondence

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III. FO IA Releases

• On December 6, 2013, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Jack Gillum, a reporter with the Associated Press in Washington, DC, 57 pages of records consisting of e-mails sent to or from USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas in which any of the following phrases are in the message: Rodham, Simone Williams, Molasky Group, or Alexandra Haskell. Portions of the

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release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 4 and 6. (('.:~se Nuinber US~IS COW2013000574.) Click here to view

• On December 10, 2013, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service~ (USCIS)released to DaVid laconangelo, a journalist with the Latin Times in Brooklyn,, New York, one page·of records consisting of statistics pertaining to T visas. These records were released in full:. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000861.) Click here to view · · ·~ '

(b)(6)~

• On .December 11, 2013; the United States.Citize~ship and Immigra~on S~ice~ (USCIS) re~eased to James Meek, an investigative producer with ABC News in Washington. DC, seven pages of records consisting of Alien File documents pertaining tol IPortiqns of the release are . withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemption 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000941.) Click here to view

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• On December 12, 2013, the United States Citizenship and hiunigration Services (USCIS) released to Brendan Fischer, a researcher with The Center for Media and Democracy in Madison, ·Wisconsin, 1881 pages

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of records consisting of emails, charts and memoranda pertaining to SA VE program monitoring; ·. · compliance and review; Portions of the release are withheld purSUfil?,t t<;> FdIA Exemptions 3, 4, 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000501.) Click here to view i

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• On December 12, 2013, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Servic~s (USCIS) released to M.ichelle Cohen, Elec~ion Counsel with Project Vote in Washington, DC, 100 pages ofrecords • consisting of memoranda: .and other documents p~aining to use of the System~tic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SA VE) system for elections, r~gistration of voters, arid maintenance of voter registration

. lists. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant t~ FOIA Exemption 5. (Cas~ Number USCIS · COW2013000898.) Click here to view · · : ·

• On December 12, 2013 the U.nited States Citizenship and Immigration Service~ (USCIS) released to Robert Deasy, Director.ofLiiiison and Irtfonnatiori with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in Washington, DC, 1643 pages of records consisting of emails and documents pertaining to USCIS standard operating procedures and policies on :the adjudication of Form I-601A. Portions' of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 5, 6, and 7(E). (Case Number USCIS COW2013000628.) Click here to View: ·· ' · , ·

Lawsuits

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Cheeks, Jessica

From: Sent: To:

Cheeks, Jessica Wednesday, December 18, 2013 4:31 PM Alfonso, Angelica M; Atkinson, Ronald A; Austin, Deon T; Bellisime, Tracy A; Bentley, Christopher S; Bird, Rose M; Caraballo, Felix R; Cioppa, Thomas M; Contaldi, Kerry T; Cornell, Cynthia M; Correa, Soraya; Duggan, Amber R; Eggleston, Jill A; Garner, David C; Greenwood, Tembra A; Gregory, Peter D; Holzer, James; 'Jacobs, Gilbert L'; Jones, Rendell L; Kendall, Sarah M; Knepper, Tom M; Langlois: Joseph E; 'Legomsky, Stephen H'; Mccament, James W; Meckley, Tammy M; Melero, Mariela; Monica, Donald J; Neufeld, Donald W; Parisi, Thomas M; Raines, Jacob A; Rhew, Perry J; Roles, Rebecca J; Ross, Tiffany I; Schuley, Phillip H; Schwartz, Mark A; Scialabba, Lori L; Sloan, Terry G; Stanley, Kathleen M; Umoru, Victoria E; USCIS Exec Sec; Welsh, Brian J; Zaragoza, Conrad J; Baugher, Jeffery T; Andoh, Roger D

Subject: USCIS Weekly Report December 12-18, 2013 COW2013000967 Request.pdf Attachments:


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II. FOIA requests


• On December 11, 2013, Michael Volpe, a freelance reporter with DailyCaller.com in Washington, DC, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) the number ofLl visas approved for Client Network Services Incorporated (CNSI) for the past five years. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000967)

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3. Organizations -

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III. FO IA Releases

• On December 12, 2013, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Brendan Fischer, a researcher with The Center for Media and Democracy in Madison, Wisconsin, 1881 pages

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of records consisting of emails, charts and memoranda pertaining to SA VE program monitoring, compliance and review. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 3, 4, 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000501.) Click here to view

• On December 12, 2013, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Michelle Cohen, Election Counsel with Project Vote in Washington, DC, 100 pages of records consisting of memoranda and other documents pertaining to use of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SA VE) system for elections, registration of voters, and maintenance of voter registration lists. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemption 5. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000898.) Click here to view

• On December 12, 2013 the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Robert Deasy, Director of Liaison and Information with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in Washington, DC, 1643 pages of records consisting of emails and documents pertaining to USCIS standard operating procedures and policies on the adjudication of Form I-601A. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 5, 6, and 7(E). (Case Number USCIS COW2013000628.) Click here to view

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

2

14

Cheeks, Jessica

From: Sent: To:

Cheeks, Jessica Thursday, January 02, 2014 10:34 AM Alfonso, Angelica M; Atkinson, Ronald A; Austin, Deon T; Bellisime, Tracy A; Bentley, Christopher S; Bird, Rose M; Caraballo, Felix R; Cioppa, Thomas M; Contaldi, Kerry T; Cornell, Cynthia M; Correa, Soraya; Duggan, Amber R; Eggleston, Jill A; Garner, David C; Greenwood, Tembra A; Gregory, Peter D; Holzer, James; 'Jacobs, Gilbert L'; Jones, Rendell L; Kendall, Sarah M; Knepper, Tom M; Langlois, Joseph E; 'Legomsky, Stephen H'; Mccament, James W; Meckley, Tammy M; Melero, Mariela; Monica, Donald J; Neufeld, Donald W; Parisi, Thomas M; Raines, Jacob A; Rhew, Perry J; Roles, Rebecca J; Ross, Tiffany I; Schuley, Phillip H; Schwartz, Mark A; Scialabba, Lori L; Sloan, Terry G; Stanley, Kathleen M; Umoru, Victoria E; USOS Exec Sec; Welsh, Brian J; Zaragoza, Conrad J; Baugher, Jeffery T; Andoh, Roger D

Subject: USOS Weekly Report December 19-31, 2013 Attachments: COW2013000991 Request.pdf; COW2013001009 Request.pdf; COW2013000976

Request.pdf


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• On November 26, 2013, Rich Lord, a staff writer with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) budgets and other documents pertaining to the compensation of confidential informants, whistleblowers and other cooperative non-employees. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000976.)

• On December 13, 2013, Joe Tanfani, a reporter with the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune in Washington, DC, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) correspondence between USCIS and all members of Congress concerning the EB5 program from January l, 2010 through the present. (Case USCIS COW2013000991.)

• On December 23, 2013, Robert Delaware, a representative with MuckRock News in Boston, Massachusetts, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) documents pertaining to Lana Peters (deceased), the daughter of Josef Stalin. (Case Number USCIS COW2013001009.)

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations -

• NIA

4. Multiple Items Requested -1

15

• NIA


• NIA

III. FO IA Releases

• NIA

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

2

16

Cheeks, Jessica

From: Sent: To: Subject: Attachments:

Cheeks, Jessica Wednesday, January 15, 2014 11:58 AM Andoh, Roger D USOS Weekly Report January 9 - 15, 2014 COW2014000012.pdf


• NIA·

II. FOIA requests


• On December 31, 2013, Dan Levine, a Legal Correspondent with Reuters News in San Francisco, California, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to petitions for U Nonimmigrant status (1-918 form), including the geographic location where each form originated since 2009. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000012.)

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations -

• NIA


• NIA


• NIA

III. FOIA Releases

• NIA

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

1

17

Cheeks, Jessica

From: .sent: To: Subject: Attachments:

Cheeks, Jessica Wednesday, January 22, 2014 2:01 PM Andoh, Roger D USCIS Weekly Report January 16 - 22, 2014 COW2014000037 Request.pdf; COW2014000036 Request.pdf


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• On January 9, 2014, Matt Smith, a journalist with The Center for Investigative Reporting in Emeryville, California, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) information pertaining to the Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program (ASWP). (Case Number USCIS COW2014000037.)

• On January 11, 2014, Laura Wides-Munoz, a journalist with The Associated Press in Miami, Florida, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to Petitions for Hl-B Visas (Form 1-129) from the last five available years. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000036.)

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations -

• NIA


• NIA

5. Requests for Congressional Correspondence-

• NIA

III. FOIA Releases

• NIA

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

1

18

Cheeks, Jessica

From: Sent: To: Subjed: Attachments:

Cheeks, Jessica . Wednesday, January 29, 2014 10:45 AM

· Andoh; Roger D USOS Weekly Report January 23 - 29, 2014 COW2014000063 Request.pdf


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• On January 23, 2014, Jesus Escudero, a reporter with the El Comercio de Gijon in Asturias, Spain, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to Hl-8 Visas for Spanish nonitllmigrant temporary workers for Fiscal Years 2008 through 2013. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000063.)

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations -

• NIA


• NIA

5. Requests for Congressional:Correspondence-

• NIA (b)(6)

III. FOIA Releases I

• On January 24, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services CTJSCIS) released to Jordana Gustafson, a reporter with Oregon Public f'°""'°Wag in Portland, fJregon, 137 pages of . records consisting of Alien File material pertaining t _ l Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 6 and 7. (Case Number USCIS COW2p13000946.) Click here ~~~ I

I . I

• On January 24, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services qJSCIS)released to Antonio Revilla, Co-Director with American Immigration Lawyers Association in Miami, Florida, three pages of records consisting of statistics pertaining to "S'' immigrant and ~onimmigrant

1

i9 _____ ___._ ___ -- ---- -~--

Cheeks, Jessica


Cheeks, Jessica Thursday, February 06, 2014 10:29 AM Andoh, Roger D USCIS Weekly Report January 30 - February 5, 2014 COW2014000075 Request.pdf


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• On January 24, 2014, Joel Millman, a reporter with The Wall Street Journal in Portland, Oregon, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to Petitions for Alien Relatives (Form 1·130) for Fiscal Years 2003 through 2014. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000075.)

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations -

• NIA


• NIA


• NIA

III. FOIA Releases

• NIA

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

20

Cheeks, Jessica

From: Cheeks, Jessica Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 11:14 AM

Andoh, Roger D To: Subject USOS Weekly Report February 6 - 12, 2014


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• NIA

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations -

• NIA


• NIA


• NIA

III. FOIA Releases

• On February 7, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Robert Deasy, a director with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in Washington, DC, one page of records consisting of statistical data pertaining to L-1 B petitions for the California Service Center and Vermont Service Center for fiscal years 2012 through 2013. These records were released in full. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000886.) Click here to view

• On February 11, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Robert Deasy, a director with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in Washington, DC, 117 pages of records consisting of e-mails and other documents pertaining to the June 3, 2013 memorandum from the Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) Directorate on Revised H-IB Anti-Fraud Operational Guidance. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 3, 5, and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000896.) Click here to view

1

21

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

2

22

Cheeks, Jessica


Andoh, Roger D To: Subjed: USCIS Weekly Report February 13 - 19, 2014


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• NIA

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations -

• NIA


• NIA


• NIA

III. FOIA Releases

• On February 18, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Jessica Schieder, a fiscal policy associate with the Center for Effective Government in Washington, DC, 85 pages of records consisting of e-mails and other documents pertaining to ( 1) the impact of sequestration for fiscal year 2013; (2) anticipated impact of sequestration and/or other deeper potential cuts for fiscal year 2014; and (3) fiscal year 2013 operating plans that detail sequestration's impact and subsequent use of reprogramming authority to mitigate impact. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000735.) Click here to view

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

1

23

Cheeks, Jessica


Andoh, Roger D To: Subject: USCIS Weekly Report February 20-26, 2014

NRC2014015654 Request.pdf Attachments:


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• On January 23, 2014, Tarmo Vahter, a journalist with Besti Ajalehed in Estonia, Europe, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to Henrik Visnapuu (deceased). (Case Number USCIS NRC2014015654.)

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations -

• NIA


• NIA


• NIA

III. FO IA Releases

• On February 26, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Robert Deasy, a director with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in Washington, DC, 641 pages of records consisting of e-mails and memos pertaining to the December 6, 2012 DHS Office of the General Counsel (OGC) opinion concerning the application and interpretation of false claim to United States citizenship as a ground of inadmissibility under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) §212(a)(6)(C)(ii). Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000865.) Click here to view

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

1

24

Cheeks, Jessica

From: Cheeks, Jessica Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 2:11 PM

Andoh, Roger D To: Subject: USCIS Weekly Report February 27 - March 5, 2014 Attachments: COW2014000125 Request.pdf; COW2014000138 Request.pdf; COW2014000139



• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• On January 8, 2014, Robert Deasy, a director with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in Washington, DC, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) copies of all template letters used to deny L-1 B nonimmigrant petitions by the California Service Center during fiscal years 2006-2014. (Case Nwnber USCIS COW2014000138.)

• On February 18, 2014, Trina Realmuto, a researcher with the National Immigration Project of the National' Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG) in Boston, Massachusetts, and Sarah Mehta, a researcher with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in New York, New York, requested from the United States Citizenship and .Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to reinstatement of prior orders of removal from 2008 through 2013. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000125.)

• On February 20, 2014, Paul Lewis, a writer with The Guardian in Washington, DC, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) correspondence between eleven named United States lawmakers and USCIS from January 1, 2009 through February 14, 2014. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000139.)

• On February 26, 2014, Scott Dance, a reporter with The Baltimore Sun, in Baltimore Maryland, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to approval notices for Hl-B visas for employment in the state of Maryland in 2013. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000145.)

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations -

• NIA


• NIA


1

25

• NIA

ill. FOIA Releases

• NIA

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

2

26

.. s

Cheeks, Jessica

From: Sent:· · To:

Subject: Attachments:

... I .• ' '"

; :: ~. -

Andoh, Roger D , Wednesday, March 12, 2014 1:20 PM Alfonso, Angelica M; Andoh, Roger D;Atkinson, Ronald A; 1ustin, Deon T; Bellisime, Tracy A; Bentley, Christopher S; Bird, Rose M; Caraballo, Felix R; Carpenter, Dea D; Cheeks, Jessica; Cioppa, Thomas M; Contaldi, Kerry T;'Cornell, Cynthia M; Correa, Soraya; .o'uggan, 'Amber R; Eggleston, Jill A; Garner, David :C; Greemiyood, Tembra A; Gregory, ·Peter D; Holt, Cynthia L; Holzer, Ji;lmes; Jaynes, Thomas A; Jones, Rendell L; Kendall, Sarah M; Knepper, Tom M; Langiois, Joseph E; Mccament, James W; Meckley, Tammy M; Melero, Mariela; Monica, Donald J; Neufeld, Donald W; Pari~i, Thomas M; Rhew, Perry J; Roles, Rebecca J; Ross, Tiffany I; Schuley, Phillip:H; Schwartz; Mark A; Scialabba, Lori L;

·Sloan, Terry G; Stanley, Kathleen M; Stimac, Melissa L; Umoru, Victoria E; USOS Exec Sec; Welsh, Brian J; Zaragoza, Conrad J · · I

FW: USOS Weekly Report March 6 - 12, 2014 COW2014000160 Request.pdf

,.

I. Efficiency and Transpa~ency -

• NIA

II. FOIA requests


' < ' ! .

• On March 6,.20l4, Lau.ra W•des-Munoz, a reporter with the Assor;iated Press in Miami, Florida, requested from the Uriit~d States Citizenship and Immigration s·ervices (USCIS) records pertaining to Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) fovestigations ofH-:lB non-immigrant approved petitions from 2011 through 2014. (Ca.Se Nuinber uscis COW2014000160.) I ' ' ' '

' -

· 2. Individuals -

... • NIA ~· 5~-t~

3. Organizations-

• NIA

4. Multiple Items Requested

• NIA

5. Requests ~or Congressional ·correspondence -

• NIA

III. · FOIAReleases 1

·.'.i:o rif/ 27

Cheeks, Jessica

From: Andoh, Roger D Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2014 11:47 AM To: Alfonso, Angelica M; Andoh, Roger D; Atkinson, Ronald A; Austin, Deon T; Bellisime,

Tracy A; Bentley, Christopher S; Bird, Rose M; Caraballo, Felix R; Carpenter, Dea D; Cheeks, Jessica; Cioppa, Thomas M; Contaldi, Kerry T; Cornell, Cynthia M; Correa, Soraya; Duggan, Amber R; Eggleston, Jill A; Garner, David C; Greenwood, Tembra A; Gregory, Peter D; Holt, Cynthia L; Holzer, James; Jaynes, Thomas A; Jones, Rendell L; Kendall, Sarah M; Knepper, Tom M; Langlois, Joseph E; Mccament, James W; Meckley, Tammy M; Melero, Mariela; Monica, Donald J; Neufeld, Donald W; Parisi, Thomas M; Rhew, Perry J; Roles, Rebecca J; Ross, Tiffany I; Schuley, Phillip H; Schwartz, Mark A; Scialabba, Lori L; Sloan, Terry G; Stanley, Kathleen M; Stimac, Melissa L; Umoru, Victoria E; USCIS Exec Sec; Welsh, Brian J; Zaragoza, Conrad J

Subject: RE: USCIS Weekly Report March 13 - 19, 2014 Attachments: COW2014000170 Request.pdf; COW2014000171 Request.pdf; COW2014000186

Request.pdf


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• On March 3, 2014, Jonathan Raz, a staff editor with Cardozo Law Review in New York, New York, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to the following information: (1) policies and procedures related to the termination of asylum; and (2) notices of intent to terminate asylum. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000186.)

• March 5, 2014, Emily Parkhurst, a reporter with the Puget Sound Business Journal in Seattle, WA, requested from the United States Citizenship and Im.migration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to USCIS L-1 compliance site visits at businesses located in the state of Washington from January 1, 2013 through the present. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000171.)

• On March 11, 2014, Vriti Jain, a representative with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) in Washington, DC, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records of correspondence pertaining to Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) regarding EB-5 visas. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000170.)

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations -

• NIA

1

28


• NIA


• NIA

III. FO IA Releases

• NIA

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

2

29

Cheeks, Jessica

From: Cheeks, Jessica Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 10:02 AM

Andoh, Roger D To: Subjed: USOS Weekly Report March 20 - 26, 2014



• On February 4, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a revised Fonn N-400, Application for Naturalization, providing USCIS with additional tools to make important eligibility detenninations, present customers with clearer instructions, and incorporate technology that improves efficiency and accuracy for both USCIS and our customers. Although the fonn is now revised, the eligibility requirements for naturalization have not changed. For infonnation on the requirements, see A Guide to Naturalization.

II. FOIA requests

1. . Media Requesters -

• On March 12, 2014, Marty Jones, an editor with Fortune Magazine in New York, New York, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) a copy of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) memo from March, 2002 by Senior Special Agent Elizabeth M. Goyer concerning problems with theEB-5 program. (CaseNurnberUSCIS COW2014000187.)

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations -

• NIA


• NIA


• NIA

Ill. FOIA Releases

• On March 20, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Luke Rosiak, a reporter with The Washington Examiner in Washington, DC, 23 pages of records consisting ofletters of correspondence from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the following members of Congress: (1) Representative Michael Mccaul (R-TX); (2) Representative Candice Miller (R-MI); (3) Representative Peter King (R-NY); (4) Representative Patrick Meehan (R-PA); (5)

1

30

Representative Susan Brooks (R-IN); (6) Representative Jeffrey Duncan (R-SC); and (7) Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC). Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000159.) Click here to view

• On March 21, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Paul Lewis, a correspondent with The Guardian in Washington, DC, 42 pages ofrecords consisting of correspondence between USCIS and the following members of Congress: (1) Representative Joe Garcia (D-FL); (2) Representative Ed Royce (R-CA); (3) Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL); (4) Representative Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV); (5) Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY); (6) Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL); (7) Representative Debbie Wassennan Schultz (D-FL); (8) Representative Connie Mack (R-FL); (9) Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO); and (10) Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ). Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000139.) Click here to view

IV. Lawsuits

• In the matter of American Immigration Council v. USCIS, ( CA-11-1971 D .D. C. ), plaintiff filed a Freedom of lnfonnation Act request seeking documents related to USCIS policy and procedures re: the role of private counsel for aliens in USC IS interviews and other interactions with USCIS. Plaintiffs filed suit on November 8, 2011, claiming failure of USCIS to timely respond to the AIC's FOIA request.

• In the matter of Heartland Alliance National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) v DHS, ICE, USCIS (12-04825) plaintiff filed a Freedom oflnfonnation Act request seeking records related to USCIS's exercise ofprosecutorial discretion, e.g. issuance ofNTA's, DACA and parole determinations. Plaintiff filed suit on Sept. 12, 2012, claiming injunctive action for a dilatory FOIA response.

• In the matter of Heartland Alliance National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) v. DHS, USCIS (et al. 1: 12-cv-09692) plaintiff filed a Freedom of Infonnation Act reques~ seeking records related to the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) use of a statutory bar to asylees, codified at 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)(vi)(Ill), INA§ 212(a)(3)(B)(vi)(III). Plaintiff filed suit on December 5, 2012, claiming injunctive action for a dilatory FOIA response and challenging the USCIS detennination to deny a fee waiver and media representative status.

2

31

Cheeks, Jessica

From: Andoh, Roger D Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2014 11:06 AM To: Alfonso, Angelica M; Andoh, Roger D; Atkinson, Ronald A; Austin, Deon T; Bellisime,

Tracy A; Bentley, Christopher S; Bird, Rose M; Caraballo, Felix R; Carpenter, Dea D; Cheeks, Jessica; Cioppa, Thomas M; Contaldi, K~rry T; Cornell, Cynthia M; Correa, Soraya; Duggan, Amber R; Eggleston, Jill A; Garner, David C; Greenwood, Tembra A; Gregory, Peter D; Holt, Cynthia L; Holzer, James; Jaynes, Thomas A; Jones, Rendell L; Kendall, Sarah M; Knepper, Tom M; Langlois, Joseph E; Mccament, James W; Meckley, Tammy M; Melero, Mariela; Monica, Donald J; Neufeld, Donald W; Parisi, Thomas M; Rhew, Perry J; Roles, Rebecca J; Ross, Tiffany I; Schuley, Phillip H; Schwartz, Mark A; Scialabba, Lori L; Sloan, Terry G; Stanley, Kathleen M; Stimac, Melissa L; Umoru, Victoria E; USCIS Exec Sec; Welsh, Brian J; Zaragoza, Conrad J

Subject: RE: USCIS Weekly Report March 27 - April 2,.2014


• On March 14, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received the final H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before April I, 2014. USCIS received a sufficient number ofH-2B petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap for the first half of fiscal year 2014.

II. FOIA requests


• NIA

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations-

• NIA


• NIA


• NIA

III. FO IA Releases

1

32

IV.

• On April 2, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Martha Mendoza, a reporter with the lb$ociated Press in Santa Cruz, California, 29 p~ges of records consisting . of e-mails and reports pertaining to the following information: (1) aggregate aii.nual totals of cyber or online vulnerabilities that have been reported; on what systems, and how many of those were tracked; (2) d@nial of.service attacks by date and site of attack; (3) aggregate amiualstotals of online breaches and on which systems; ( 4), details of all online breaches, including name of attacker if available; ( 5) . aggregate annual total of how many social security numbers have been lost through breaches; (6) aggregate annual total of how many employees passwords have been coin promised; (7) aggregate annual total of how many computers have had to be replacep:due to infection; (8) aggregate annual total· of how many times the agency ord~red·the replacement of infected prograinm~ble logic controllers; (9) all copies of all warnings about existing threats sent to employees; (10) annual itotal cyber security · budget; (11) current aild past contracts.awarded for cyber.security; (12) commtinications with Google, Apple, Facebook, and Twitter bout cyber security and hacking; (13 j copies of closed investigations into cyber attacks; and (14) documents related to purchase of remote acce~s softw~e, IMSI catchers or silent text technology. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemption 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013001005.) Click here to view . . .. .i . . •

Lawsuits (b)(6)

. (b)(6)

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" 33

Cheeks, Jessica

From: Sent: To:

Subject:

Cheeks, Jessica Wednesday, January 08, 2014 10:03 AM Alfonso, Angelica M; Atkinson, Ronald A; Austin, Deon T; Bellisime, Tracy A; Bentley, Christopher S; Bird, Rose M; Caraballo, Felix R; Cioppa, Thomas M; Contaldi, Kerry T; Cornell, Cynthia M; Correa, Soraya; Duggan, Amber R; Eggleston, Jill A; Garner, David C; Greenwood, Tembra A; Gregory, Peter D; Holzer, James; 'Jacobs, Gilbert L'; Jones, Rendell L; Kendall, Sarah M; Knepper, Tom M; Langlois, Joseph E; 'Legomsky, Stephen H'; Mccament, James W; Meckley, Tammy M; Melero, Mariela; Monica, Donald J; Neufeld, Donald W; Parisi, Thomas M; Raines, Jacob A; Rhew, Perry J; Roles, Rebecca J; Ross, Tiffany I; Schuley, Phillip H; Schwartz, Mark A; Scialabba, Lori L; Sloan, Terry G; Stanley, Kathleen M; Umoru, Victoria E; USCIS Exec Sec; Welsh, Brian J; Zaragoza, Conrad J; Baugher, Jeffery T; Andoh, Roger D USOS Weekly Report January 2 - 8, 2014


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• NIA

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations -

• NIA


• NIA


• NIA

III. FO IA Releases

• NIA

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

1

34

Umoru, Victoria E


Cheeks, Jessica Wednesday, January 15, 2014 11:58 AM Andoh, Roger D USOS Weekly Report January 9 - 15, 2014 COW2014000012.pdf


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• On December 31, 2013, Dan Levine, a Legal Correspondent with Reuters News in San Francisco, California, · requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to petitions

for U Nonimmigrant status (1-918 form), including the geographic location where each form originated since 2009. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000012.)

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations -

• NIA


• NIA


• NIA

III. FO IA Releases

• NIA

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

1

35

Umoru, Victoria E

From: Cheeks, Jessica Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 2:01 PM

Andoh, Roger D To: Subject: USOS Weekly Report January 16 - 22, 2014 Attachments: COW2014000037 Request.pdf; COW2014000036 Request.pdf


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• On January 9, 2014, Matt Smith, a journalist with The Center for Investigative Reporting in Emeryville, California, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) information pertaining to the Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program (ASVVP). (Case Number USCIS COW201400003 7.)

• On January 11, 2014, Laura Wides-Munoz, a journalist with The Associated Press in Miami, Florida, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to Petitions for Hl-B Visas (Form 1-129) from the last five available years. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000036.)

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations-

• NIA


• NIA


• NIA

III. FOIA Releases

• NIA

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

1

36

Umoru, Victoria E

From: Cheeks, Jessica Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2014 10:45 AM

A~doh, Roger o . To: Subject: . 'USOSWeekly Report January 23- 29,.2014


I.

"'

Efficiency and. Transparency ·~

• NIA " .' ~

II. FOIA requests

1. Media Requesters-.

1.

I I

i I

. I I

i

I

. . ; • On January 23, 2014, Jesus Escudero,. a reporter with the El Comercio de Gijon in Asturias, Spain,

requested from the United S~tes Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to Hl:-B Visas for Spruush nonimmigraht temporary workers for Fiscal Years 2008 through 2013. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000063.) . . .

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations-

• NIA

4. Multiple Items Requestetl - ' . ' . ,,

• NIA

5. Requests for Congressional Co.Tesponde11,~e -

• NIA . (b)(6)

I j,

I.

1.

. I

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I

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Ilt FOIA Releases ! '

• On January 24,. 2014, the United.States Citizenship and lmniigration Services (US¢IS) released to . Jordana Gustafson, a reporter with Oregon Public Broadcastin in Portland, Oregon, 137 pages of

records consisting of Alien File material pertaining to Portions ofthe release are· withheld pursuantto'FOIA Exe~ptions 6 and 7. (Case S COW2013,000946.) Click here to view · " · : . ·

I . .. . . I .

• OnJ~uary 24, 2014,. the Unit~d States Citizens.hip and Immigraiion Services (liSt:IS) released to Antonio Revilla, Co-Directotwith American,. Immigration Lawyers .Associatio~ in Miami, Florida, three pages of records consisting of statistics pertaining to "S" immigrant and nonimmigrant

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I.

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applications since 2007. These records were released in full. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000655.) Click here to view

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

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38

Umoru, Victoria E

From: Sent: To: Subject: Attachments:

Cheeks, Jessica Thursday, February 06, 2014 10:29 AM Andoh, Roger D USOS Weekly Report January 30 - February 5, 2014 COW2014000075 Request.pdf


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• On January 24, 2014, Joel Millman,. a reporter with The Wall Street Journal in Portland, Oregon, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to Petitions for Alien Relatives (Form 1-130) for Fiscal Years 2003 through 2014. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000075.)

2. Individuals -

• NIA

3. Organizations -

• NIA


• NIA


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III. FOIA Releases

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IV. Lawsuits

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39

I -1

Umoru, Victoria E I

I

From: Cheeks, Jessica · Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 11:14 AM To:

, . I Andoh, Roger D

Subjed: USOS Weekly Report February 6 -12, 2014,


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• NIA

2. Individuals-

• NIA

3. Organizations -

• NIA '.'

4. Multiple Items Requested· - ·

• NIA

5. Requests for Congr~ssionalCorr~spondence-

• NIA

.III. FOIA Releases

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·, :

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, I

• On February 7, 2014: the United States Citizenship and hrunigratlori'Services :(USCIS) released to Robert Deasy, a drrector with the American Immigration LawyersAssociation (AILA) in Washington, DC, or>:e page of records consisting of statistical data p¢rtaining to L:- ~ B petitions for the· California Service Center and Vermont Service Center for fiscal years 2012 through 2013. These records were released in full. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000886.) Click here to view

~ , ,, , , I ' ,

:

· • On February 11, 2014, the United.States Citiz~nship andbrunigration Services (USCIS) r~leased to Robert Deasy, a director with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in Washington, pc, 11,7 pages of.records consisting of e-tii~Is and other:documents pertaining to the June

· 3, 2013 memorandum from the.Fraud Detecti~n and National Se~Uiify (FDNS) Drrectorate on Revised .. . . . ". . I·

H-lB Anti-Fraud Operational Gujdance. Portions of the release are withhel4 pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 3, 5, and 6. (Case Number U~CIS COW20i3000896.) Click here to view

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40

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

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41

Umoru, Victoria E

From: Cheeks, Jessica Sent To:

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 10:57 AM Andoh, Roger D

Subjed: USOS Weekly Report February 13 - 19, 2014


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• NIA

2. Individuals -

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3. Organizations-

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III. FOIA Releases

• On February 18, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Jessica Schieder, a fiscal policy associate with the Center for Effective Government in Washington, DC, 85 pages of records consisting of e-mails and other documents pertaining to ( 1) the impact of sequestration for fiscal year 2013; (2) anticipated impact of sequestration and/or other deeper potential cuts for fiscal year 2014; and (3) fiscal year 2013 operating plans that detail sequestration's impact and subsequent use of reprogramming authority to mitigate impact. Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000735.) Click here to view

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

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42

Umoru, Victoria E


Andoh, Roger D To:

Subject: USOS Weekly Report February 20-26, 2014 NRC2014015654 Request.pdf Attachments:


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• On January 23, 2014, Tarn10 Vahter, a journalist with Eesti Ajalehed in Estonia, Europe, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to Henrik Visnapuu (deceased). (Case Number USCIS NRC2014015654.)

2. Individuals-

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3. Organizations-

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III. FOIA Releases

• On February 26, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Robert Deasy, a director with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in Washington, DC, 641 pages of records consisting of e-mails and memos pertaining to the December 6, 2012 DHS Office of the General Counsel (OGC) opinion concerning the application and interpretation of false claim to United States citizenship as a ground of inadmissibility under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) §212(a)(6)(C)(ii). Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013000865.) Click here to view

IV. Lawsuits

• NIA

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43

Umoru, Victoria E

From: Cheeks, Jessica Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 2:11 PM

Andoh, Roger 0 To: Subject: USOS Weekly Report February 27 - March S, 2014 Attachments: COW2014000125 Request.pdf; COW2014000138 Request.pdf; COW2014000139



• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• On January 8, 2014, Robert Deasy, a director with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in Washington, DC, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) copies of all template letters used to deny L-IB nonimmigrant petitions by the California Service Center during fiscal years 2006-2014. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000138.)

• On February 18, 2014, Trina Realmuto, a researcher with the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG) in Boston, Massachusetts, and Sarah Mehta, a researcher with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in New York, New York, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to reinstatement of prior orders of removal from 2008 through 2013. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000125.)

• On February 20, 2014, Paul Lewis, a writer with The Guardian in Washington, DC, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) correspondence between eleven named United States lawmakers and USCIS from January I, 2009 through February 14, 2014. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000139.)

• On February 26, 2014, Scott Dance, a reporter with The Baltimore Sun, in Baltimore Maryland, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to approval notices for Hl-B visas for employment in the state of Maryland in 2013. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000145.)

2. Individuals -

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3. Organizations -

• NIA


• NIA


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44

• NIA

III. FOIA Releases

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IV. Lawsuits

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45

Umoru, Victoria E

From: Sent: To:

Subject: Attachments:

Andoh, Roger D Wednesday, March 12, 2014 1:20 PM Alfonso, Angelica M; Andoh, Roger D; Atkinson, Ronald A; Austin, Deon T; Bellisime, Tracy A; Bentley, Christopher S; Bird, Rose M; Caraballo, Felix R; Carpenter, Dea D; Cheeks, Jessica; Cioppa, Thomas M; Contaldi, Kerry T; Cornell, Cynthia M; Correa, Soraya; Duggan, Amber R; Eggleston, Jill A; Garner, David C; Greenwood, Tembra A; Gregory, Peter D; Holt, Cynthia L; Holzer, James; Jaynes, Thomas A; Jones, Rendell L; Kendall, Sarah M; Knepper, Tom M; Langlois, Joseph E; Mccament, James W; Meckley, Tammy M; Melero, Mariela; Monica, Donald J; Neufeld, Donald W; Parisi, Thomas M; Rhew, Perry J; Roles, Rebecca J; Ross, Tiffany I; Schuley, Phillip H; Schwartz, Mark A; Scialabba, Lori L; Sloan, Terry G; Stanley, Kathleen M; Stimac, Melissa L; Umoru, Victoria E; USOS Exec Sec; Welsh, Brian J; Zaragoza, Conrad J FW: USOS Weekly Report March 6 - 12, 2014 COW2014000160 Request.pdf


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• On March 6, 2014, Laura Wides-Munoz, a reporter with the Associated Press in Miami, Florida, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) investigations ofH-lB non-immigrant approved petitions from 2011through2014. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000160.)

2. Individuals-

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3. Organizations-

• NIA


• NIA


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III. FOIA Release~ 1

46

• NIA

IV. Lawsuits

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47

Umoru, Victoria E

From: Sent: To:

Andoh, Roger D Wednesday, March 19, 2014 11:47 AM Alfonso, Angelica M; Andoh, Roger D; Atkinson, Ronald A; Austin, Deon T; Bellisime, Tracy A; Bentley, Christopher S; Bird, Rose M; Caraballo, Felix R; Carpenter, Dea D; Cheeks, Jessica; Cioppa, Thomas M; Contaldi, Kerry T; Cornell, Cynthia M; Correa, Soraya; Duggan, Amber R; Eggleston, Jill A; Garner, David C; Greenwood, Tembra A; Gregory, Peter D; Holt, Cynthia L; Holzer, James; Jaynes, Thomas A; Jones, Rendell L; Kendall, Sarah M; Knepper, Tom M; Langlois, Joseph E; Mccament, James W; Meckley, Tammy M; Melero, Mariela; Monica, Donald J; Neufeld, Donald W; Parisi, Thomas M; Rhew, Perry J; Roles, Rebecca J; Ross, Tiffany I; Schuley, Phillip H; Schwartz, Mark A; Scialabba, Lori L; Sloan, Terry G; Stanley, Kathleen M; Stimac, Melissa L; Umoru, Victoria E; USOS Exec Sec; Welsh, Brian J; Zaragoza, Conrad J

Subject: RE: USOS Weekly Report March 13 - 19, 2014 Attachments: COW2014000170 Request.pdf; COW2014000171 Request.pdf; COW2014000186

Request.pdf


• NIA

II. FOIA requests


• On March 3, 2014, Jonathan Raz, a staff editor with Cardow Law Review in New York, New York, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to the following information: (1) policies and procedures related to the termination of asylum; and (2) notices of intent to terminate asylum. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000186.)

• March 5, 2014, Emily Parkhurst, a reporter with the Puget Sound Business Journal in Seattle, WA, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records pertaining to USCIS L-1 compliance site visits at businesses located in the state of Washington from January l, 2013 through the present. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000171.)

• On March 11, 2014, Vriti Jain, a representative with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) in Washington, DC, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records of correspondence pertaining to Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) regarding EB-5 visas. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000170.)

2. Individuals -

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3. Organizations -

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48


• NIA


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III. FOIA Releases

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IV. Lawsuits

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2

49

Umoru, Victoria E

From: Sent: To:

Andoh,RogerD Wednesday, April 02, 2014 11:06 AM

. · Alfo.nso, Angelica M; Andoh, Roger D; Atkinson, Ronald A; Austin, Deon T; Bellisime, . . . . Tracy A; Bentley, Christopher S; Bird, Rose M; Caraballo,. ~elix R; Carpenter, Dea· D;

.. Cheeks, Jessica; Cioppa, Thomas M; Contaldi, Kerry T; Cornell, Cynthia M; Correa, Soraya; Duggan, Amber R; Eggleston, Jill A; Garner; David C; Greenwood, Tembra A; Gregory,

.Peter D; Holt, Cynthial; Holzer, James; Jaynes, Thomas A; Jo'nes; Rendell L; Kendall, Sarah M; Knepper, Tom M;.Langlois, Joseph E; Mccament, James W; Meckley, Tammy M; Melero, Mariela; Monie.a, Donald J; Neufeld, Donald W; Parisi, Thomas M; Rhew, Perry J; .

· Roles, Rebecca J; Ross, Tiffany I; Schuley, Phillip H; Schwart.i, Ma,rk A; Scialabba, Lori L; Sloan, Terry G; Stanley, Kathleen M; Stimac, Melissa L; Umoru, Victoria E; USOS Exec Sec; Welsh,. Brian J; Zaragoza, Conrad J

Subject: . RE: USOS Weekly Report March 27 - April 2, 2014


• On March 14, 2014, the United States CitiZeri~hip and Immigration Services (USCIS) received the final H-2B worker petitions requesting an emplo'yment start date before April 1, 2014. USCIS received a sufficient number of H-2B petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap for! the first half of fiscal year 2014. · ·

II. FOIA requests

1. Media Requesters ~ · .

• NIA

2. lndividu~ls -

• NIA.

3. Organizations-

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4 .. Multiple Items Requested ...:: .\

• NIA.

5. Requests for CongressionalCorrespondence-

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III. FOIA Releases

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IV.

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• On April 2, 2014; the United States Citizenship and Immigration.Services (USCIS) released to Martha Mendoza, a reporter. with-the A~so'ciated Press in Santa· Cruz, California, 29 page~ of records consisting of e-mails and reports pertaining to the following infonnation: (1) 'aggregate ann~l totals of cyber or online vulnerabilities that have been reported; on what systems, 'and, how inany of.those were tracked; (2) denial of service attacks by date and site of attack; (3) aggregate annuals totals~ of online breaches · · and on which systems; (4) details of all online breaches, including name of attacker if available; (5) aggregate annual total of how many·social security numbers have.been lost through breaches; (Q) aggregate annual total of how many employees passwords have been compromised; (7) ~ggregate annual total of how many computers have had to be replaced due to infection; (8) ~ggregate annual total of how many times the agency ordered the replacement of infected pr9gralnmable log~c controllers; (9) all copies of all warnings about existing ~eats sent to employees; (10) annual total cyber security budget; (11) current and past contract~ awarded for cyber security; (12) communications with Google, Apple, Facebook,.and Twitter bout cyber security and hacking; (13) copies of closed investigations into cyber attacks; and (14) documents related to pilrchase of remote access soft,ware, IMSI catchers or silent text technology. Portions of the relea8e are.withheld pursuant to FOJA Exemption 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2013091005~) Click her~to view . · . , . ·;

Lawsuits

'.·

• . In the matter of Jing Hu v. l/SCIS (3:13-cv-30198-MAP), plaintiff filed a Freedom of lnfonnation Act request on June 20, 2013, seeking records related to the· following infonnation: (l) all.records refate4 to the person ofrl Oparticularly including records created by the United.States Citizenship.and Immigration Services (USC~

(b)(S) officd land. any.other e; and (2) all records that we_re maintained by any USCIS employee, including but not limited t that relate to communications between USCIS and the followin eo le: a . I Agent); (c}I i<ICE Spec. ial A~ent!· ;],.--..

; . e ttorney); (f)I " l<\ttorney); and (g)i f (b)(?)(c . uit on ovem er 22, 2013, claiming constructive denial. On Maren 3 , 2 I , OScIS

released its first supplemental release cons~sting of 430 pages of e-mails, screen prints, and memoranda .

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51

. I

l

Umoru, Victoria E

From: Cheeks, Jessica 1.

Sent: . . To:

. Wednesday, Ma.rch' 26, 2014 10:02 AM. Andoh, Roger D

I

I

Subject: . USOS Weekly Report March 20 - 26, 2014 . Attachments: COW2Q14000187 Request.pdf

.·)

I.

III.

.. , Efficiency·a~d Transparency - .

• On February 4, 2014, the United States Citizenship arid Immigration Services (USCIS) released a revised Form N-400, J\pplication for Naturalization, providing USCIS with additional tools to make important eligibility·determinations,.prese~t customers With clearer instructions, ~d incorporate technology that improves efficiency and accuracy for·both USCIS and our customers. Although the form is now revised, ·t4e eligibility reqclremerttsfor natur:alization have not changed. For information on the requirements, see A Guide to Naturalization. · '

II. FOIA requests

1. Media Requester~ -

• On March 12, 2014, Marty Jones, an editor with Fortune Magazin~ in New York, New,York, requested from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Servic~s (USqS) a copy ofthe Immigration .an9 Naturalization Service (INS) memo from March, 2002 by Senior Special Agent Elizabeth M. Goyer concerning problems with the EB-S program .. (Case Nuinber USCIS CQW2014000187.) .

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2. Individuals -

• NIA

3 . Organizations -

• . NIA .

!., 4. Multiple Items Requested - / .

• NIA .. ,

5. Requests for Congressional Corr:espondence-· . . . ' "' . .

• NIA.

· FOIA Releases

• . On March 20, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Luke Rosiak, a report~r with The WllShington EXaminer in Washington, DC~ 23 pages' of records consisting of lett~rs of correspondence from the Departnient of Homeland· Security (DHS) to the following me.mbers of Congress: (1) Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX); (2) Representative Candice Miller (R-MI); (3) Representative Peter King (R-NY); (4) Representative Patrick Meehab (R-PA); (5) ..

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52

Representative Susan Brooks (R-IN); (6) Representative Jeffrey Duncan (R-SC); and (7) Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC). Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000159.) Click here to view

• On March 21, 2014, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released to Paul Lewis, a correspondent with The Guardian in Washington, DC, 42 pages of records consisting of correspondence between USCIS and the following members of Congress: (1) Representative Joe Garcia (D-FL); (2) Representative Ed Royce (R-CA); (3) Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL); (4) Representative Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV); (5) Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY); (6) Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL); (7) Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL); (8) Representative Connie Mack (R-FL); (9) Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO); and (10) Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ). Portions of the release are withheld pursuant to FOIA Exemptions 5 and 6. (Case Number USCIS COW2014000139.) Click here to view

IV. Lawsuits .

• In the matter of American Immigration Council v. USCIS, (CA-1 l-1971 D.D.C.), plaintiff filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking documents related to USCIS policy and procedures re: the role of private counsel for aliens in USCIS interviews and other interactions with USCIS. Plaintiffs filed suit on November 8, 2011, claiming failure ofUSCIS to timely respond to the AIC's FOIA request.

• In the matter of Heartland Alliance National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) v DHS, ICE, USCIS (12-04825) plaintiff filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking records related to USCIS's exercise of prosecutorial discretion, e.g. issuance of NT A's, DACA and parole determinations. Plaintiff filed suit on Sept. 12, 2012, claiming injunctive action for a dilatory FOIA response.

• In the matter of Heartla'}d Alliance National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) v. DHS, USCIS (et al. 1: 12-cv-09692) plaintiff filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking records related to the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) use of a statutory bar to asylees, codified at 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)(vi)(III), INA§ 212(a)(3)(B)(vi)(Ill). Plaintiff filed suit on December 5, 2012, claiming injunctive action for a dilatory FOIA response and challenging the USCIS determination to deny a fee waiver and media representative status.

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description of document: us citizenship and immigration

Documents