Lawsuits Seeking Immigration Reform Cite Ombuds Report

In June 2006, U.S. Customs and Immigration Services Ombudsman reported to Congress that more than 82,000 immigration cases had been pending longer than a year as the FBI reviewed the applications. The report said the immigration agency's policy of waiting to conduct security reviews until after immigrants have applied for legal residency "may increase the risk to national security by prolonging the time a potential criminal or terrorist remains in the country." (CIS Ombuds Report.) The ombuds report is now bolstering federal lawsuits filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and other organizations. (San Francisco Chronicle.)