USCIS will Ungroup Naturalization Applications

According to a USCIS notice issued several days ago, , USCIS will no longer group naturalization applications (a systems function known as Group Management) to speed the processing of naturalization cases unless specifically requested by a family.

The Group Management function requires that all applicants in a group successfully complete each processing stage before the group as a whole can move on to the next stage. For example, all members of a group must have their background checks completed before the group can proceed to the interview stage. If one individual in a group of 100 hasn't successfully completed this stage, the remaining 99 cases cannot proceed and their processing will unnecessarily stall.

After a careful study, USCIS learned that the function is adversely affecting its ability to provide timely customer service. USCIS has identified more that 10,000 naturalization cases currently affected by the Group Management function. Effective immediately, USCIS will ungroup, or "decouple," all currently established groups allowing individual cases to proceed through the process independently.

Upon request, group management will remain a customer service option for USCIS family applicants who desire group processing, which will allow the customers to schedule interviews for family members on the same day. Family applicants who wish to choose this option should submit a written request for grouping when their naturalization application is mailed to the Service Center with jurisdiction.

(01/31/2006)

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