The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) submits an Annual Report to Congress by June 30 analyzing key systemic issues encountered by individuals and employers applying for immigration benefits with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The 2021 Annual Report (“The Report”) recounts the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on USCIS’ operations and financial condition and key goals of expanding electronic capabilities, increasing outreach and intra-agency coordination, in order to address challenges and ongoing systemic issues. The focus of this analysis is the role of COVID-19 in compounding the already significant USCIS backlogs, delays, and resultant strained financial situation confirming backlogged cases “at record levels."
A Tax Alert prepared by EY Law LLP, and attached below, provides additional details.
