Fiscal Year 2000 Performance Report and
Fiscal Year 2002 Performance Plan

STRATEGIC GOAL FOUR:
Fairly and Effectively Administer the Immigration and Naturalization Laws of the United States

Department of Justice Seal


The DOJ components with primary responsibility for implementing Strategic Goal Four are the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). The Civil Division and the United States Attorneys’ Offices are also key players. INS’ primary mission is to administer and enforce the nation’s immigration laws. INS activities include: determining the admissibility of persons seeking to enter the U.S. through an inspections process, and facilitating entry; processing and granting immigration-related benefits; patrolling the borders; deterring and investigating illegal employment and providing information to employers and benefit providers to prevent illicit employment or benefit receipt; and disrupting and dismantling organizations engaging in document and benefit fraud and alien smuggling. In addition, INS apprehends, detains, and removes aliens present in the U.S. without lawful status and/or those who have violated U.S. criminal laws. As individual aliens engaging in criminal activity and organizations facilitating illegal immigration are often associated with other criminal activity, INS plays a critical role in enforcing U.S. criminal laws. INS cooperates with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in activities such as drug smuggling, terrorism, and other criminal acts. INS’ contributions to DOJ’s broader criminal law enforcement activities are reflected in Strategic Goal One (Keep America Safe by Enforcing Federal Criminal Laws).

EOIR’s mission is to provide separate and independent fora for the objective, unbiased adjudication of disputes between INS and aliens or other individuals regarding immigration status, removal, or the availability of relief under the law. In the conduct of this mission, EOIR and its components; (the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Immigration Courts, and Administrative Law Judges; seek to render fair and proper decisions in a timely and efficient manner. The Civil Division and the United States Attorneys Offices defend the decisions of INS and EOIR. By defending policies and administrative decisions, the Civil Division strengthens immigration enforcement activities.

MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES

The Department has reported eight material weaknesses in this area:

Delivery Bonds - INS has been experiencing difficulty in collecting fees owed from breached bonds since 1990.

Monitoring of Alien Overstays - Nonimmigrant overstays comprise a significant percentage of the illegal alien population in the United States, but INS has insufficient systems to compile information on the overstay population and lacks an enforcement policy that specifically targets the overstay population.

Organizational and Management Issues - In 1997 the General Accounting Office (GAO) found that the INS needed to take steps to resolve management problems, including establishing roles and responsibilities, clarifying lines of communication, and disseminating organizational policies and guidelines.

Management of Automation Programs - INS has experienced continuing and longstanding difficulty in providing timely and consistent information about its information technology resources and activities.

Efforts to Identify and Remove Criminal Aliens - A 1997 GAO report on the INS’ Institutional Removal Program (IRP) noted that the INS: (1) failed to identify many deportable criminal aliens, including aggravated felons, and failed to initiate IRP proceedings for them before they were released from prison; (2) did not complete the IRP by the time of prison release for the majority of criminal aliens it did identify; and (3) did not realize intended enhancements to the IRP.

Management of Property - The INS needs to improve accountability of property highly vulnerable to waste, loss, unauthorized use, or misappropriation. With regard to weapons, INS has not routinely reported the status of weapons, and, as a result, has numerous lost or missing weapons.

Alien Smuggling - Between FY 1997 and FY 1999 the number of apprehended aliens smuggled into the U.S. increased nearly 80 percent. INS predicts that the smuggling will continue to increase and that alien smuggling organizations will become more sophisticated, organized, and complex. INS lacks inter-program coordination, an agency-wide automated case tracking and management system, and performance measures to assess the effectiveness of the strategy, all of which affect INS’ ability to address this issue.

INS Financial Management (material non-conformance) - A material nonconformance is continuing to be reported in regard to the INS' need to implement policies and procedures to ensure that all transactions were recorded in accordance with federal accounting standards. Solutions are replacement of the financial system and adherence to federal accounting standards. While INS adherence to accounting standards has improved during FY 2000, much still needs to be accomplished.

DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) December 2000 list of the ten most serious management challenges facing the DOJ includes three of the above issues: Removal of Criminal Aliens; Information Systems Planning and Implementation (which focuses primarily on INS information systems and links closely to the material weakness, management of automation programs (the non-INS aspects of this issue are discussed in STRATEGIC GOAL SEVEN: Ensure Excellence, Accountability and Integrity in the Management and Conduct of Department of Justice Programs); and Financial Statements and Systems (which includes references to INS’ financial systems (the non-INS aspects of this issue are discussed in STRATEGIC GOAL SEVEN: Ensure Excellence, Accountability and Integrity in the Management and Conduct of Department of Justice Programs)).

In addition to the above issues, the OIG cited INS Border Strategy as one of the top ten management challenges for DOJ in this strategic goal. The INS Border Patrol faces significant enforcement challenges along the southwest border and the northern border to stem the tide of illegal aliens, drugs, and terrorists.

Performance measures related to these material weaknesses and management challenges are noted.

PROGRAM EVALUATIONS

Joint Evaluations

The INS will continue several major program evaluations into FY 2001 and FY 2002 that involve coordination with other agencies. In cooperation with a consortium of agencies and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), INS is contributing to a yearly follow-up to the New Immigrant Survey, which tracks the status and employment activity of aliens entering the United States in FY 2000 for a 5-year period based on categories of entry. INS will also continue the evaluation of the impact of the Welfare Reform Act with HHS and the application of the affidavit of support provisions of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.

Employment Verification

Formal multi-year program evaluations of the Employment Verification Pilots began in FY 1999. By FY 2001, the first of the series of reports of the evaluations including statistics and interpretation of the impact of the pilot in providing alien status verification services for employers will be provided to decision makers and the general public.

INS Information Technology (IT)

As part of its activities, the INS Information Technology Investment Review Board will continue to review and assess all operations and maintenance spending, all investment spending for IT, and life-cycle costs for FY 2001 and FY 2002. In FY 1999, INS established Portfolio Managers for areas of IT activity (i.e., senior staff from the program operations components of the agency), and established a new Strategic Information and Technology branch within the mission/customer components of the agency. This provides more focused customer-based evaluation of the INS IT needs as a basis for decision making. The analysis and evaluation activities through the IT-IRB Executive Steering Committee process and through the Strategic Information and Technology branch will be refined in FY 2001. Initial activity in FY 1999 and FY 2000 will be strengthened in FY 2001 to use special reviews of systems performance and costs, and in the use of Independent Verification and Validation contracts to intensively evaluate particular systems or projects. Independent Verification and Validation studies are currently underway for the Computer Linked Application Information System 4.0 (CLAIMS4) system supporting INS’ benefits processing.

Beginning in FY 2000, all existing IT systems and projects are subject to a major life cycle management review as a basis to make decisions. In FY 2001, procedures will be in place to ensure that in-process evaluations are conducted on systems and projects to ensure that certain criteria are met before a system will be allowed to move into the next phase in the life cycle. All in-process evaluations will be conducted by an independent group to ensure that systems comply with the revised Systems Development Life Cycle requirements.

Border Control

INS continuously evaluates the effectiveness of its border control strategies, particularly for the southwest border, and quarterly evaluates progress through the Commissioner's Performance Management Reviews. In addition, several special studies have been initiated and are ongoing to evaluate border enforcement effectiveness. These include a study in FY 2000 and FY 2001 to determine the optimal staffing, resource, equipment and technology needed to effectively control the Southwest Border. This study will encompass Service-wide needs in the Border Patrol and other related programs such as the Detention and Removal Program, Inspections, and Management and Infrastructure requirements.

Other studies related to the effectiveness of INS enforcement activities at the border are anticipated in FY 2001. They include follow-on analysis and reporting regarding the independent assessment of the effectiveness of the operations in the San Diego and McAllen Sectors and follow-up to the recommendations and action plans in the 1999 GAO report on the Status of the Southwest Border Strategy. Study findings will be available when all results are synthesized and an overall analysis is performed.

IDENT-IAFIS

FY 2000 through FY 2001, INS will continue its evaluation in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to advance the Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT) – Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) (IDENT-IAFIS) integration. The study will examine the operational requirements for fingerprinting aliens apprehended at the border. This initiative will increase the capacity for timely identification of aliens with a criminal history and allow INS to take appropriate actions to arrest, detain, and formally remove these individuals. This study will involve the use of cost models and the INS Deployment Planning System and will involve simulations and modeling as part of the analysis.

Inspections

An evaluation of the recent deployment of the Remote Video Inspections Systems began in FY 2000 and will carry forward into FY 2001. The INS-U.S. Customs Border Coordination Initiative will be ongoing throughout FY 2001. In FY 2001, INS and Customs will jointly address the optimum staffing levels for their enforcement and facilitation goals. In addition, an assessment of the use of automated technologies to segment and facilitate low-risk travelers at ports began in FY 2000 to provide alternatives for formulating activities in FY 2001 and beyond.

Benefits Processing

Formal INS Program Assessments of Naturalization applications casework focused on verifying the compliance level of INS field office operations with the new Naturalization Quality Procedures. This was accomplished through outside audits controlled by the Department, and through internal audits contracted by INS. INS internal audits are continuing in FY 2001.

Removals

Program Assessments for removals programs are designed to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of particular strategies or approaches. Internal Program Assessments and workload analysis have been conducted in the past on the Institutional Removal Program (IRP). The General Accounting Office (GAO) conducted a series of assessments of INS’ ability to initiate and complete removal proceedings through IRP and of INS management of IRP. INS anticipates ongoing internal and GAO monitoring and reports on IRP in FY 2001. The impact of internal transfers of functions between INS’ Investigations program and the Detention and Removal program for selected Federal and State IRP sites expected to occur in FY 2001, in the support of the IRP program, will be the subject of an FY 2001 evaluation.

Quick Response Teams (QRT)

INS plans to evaluate its QRT operations in FY 2001. INS is examining staffing, locations, and results of teams established and implemented in FY 2000 and anticipates new FY 2001 program adjustments and new staff. The QRT operations implemented in FY 1999, focused on establishing interior INS office locations to apprehend and remove illegal and criminal aliens detected by state and local law enforcement authorities in the course of their enforcement operations. INS is continuing to train local law enforcement agencies working with the communities that are affected by QRT sites.

INS Detention

During FY 2000-2001, the INS Detention Program will use a detention projection model in an ongoing basis to assess the impact of program changes and resource and policy decisions. In addition, in FY 2001, INS plans to develop projects to use alternatives to detention based on an evaluation completed in FY 2000 on the results of the Appearance Assistance Program demonstration project. The evaluation addressed the impact of Appearance Assistance Program on improving aliens’ appearance at hearings and compliance with immigration judge final orders as a means to reduce use of detention space for appropriate categories of aliens.

Interior Enforcement

Interior Enforcement program assessments have been conducted and are expected to continue through FY 2001. In addition to its own efforts, INS anticipates ongoing GAO monitoring and evaluation, as mandated by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, taking place in order to report on the Attorney General’s progress in deterring illegal entry into the United States. GAO has recently reviewed the INS anti-smuggling program and the work-site enforcement programs. INS expects continued monitoring, evaluation and reporting to occur for these two programs.

NS Internal Management

In the management arena, INS conducted several internal program evaluations as the basis of improving these operations and support for requirements across all programs. In FY 2000, INS completed an administrative staffing study, facilities study, and study of training alternatives. A vehicle and facility impact study and feedback began in FY 2000 and is continuing into FY 2001.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4.1: IMMIGRATION INFORMATION SERVICES
Provide accurate, easy to use, readily accessible and up to date information which meets the needs of internal and external customers.

Annual Goal 4.1: Increase information availability and accuracy.

STRATEGIES
  • Determine the informational needs of customers and ensure these needs are addressed through design, development, and deployment of programs and systems.
  • Define data quality standards and build quality mechanisms directly into data collections and reporting processes to ensure reliability of data reported.
  • Create informational materials that are written or voiced in plain and understandable language, are easy to use, and meet the needs of customers.
  • Continue to enhance and expand use of communications and information technology to make this information easily and readily accessible to customers.
  • Coordinate and develop partnerships with other agencies and organizations on data requirements, effective collection and reporting, and expand the electronic exchange of data with mission partners, including federal, state, and local agencies as well as private sector organizations.
  • Provide employers and benefit providers with the information, assistance, and tools needed to allow them to comply with the laws while safeguarding the civil and privacy rights of citizens and aliens alike.
  • Create a culture in which everyone values performance and demographic information, effectively uses data to make decisions, identify opportunities for improvement, and recognize successes.

In the course of administering the Immigration and Nationality Act, the INS provides a significant amount of information to benefit applicants, other governmental agencies, employers, communities, Congress, and the public. INS will strengthen its commitment to increase the availability of reliable information and statistics and to increase the avenues of access to this information. In FY 2002, INS will focus on expanding capabilities to provide informational materials and customer feedback in a timely and easily accessible manner. INS will continue data quality initiatives to assess the quality of selected information sources each year. INS will develop action plans and re-engineer parts of mission-direct and administrative support systems that are critical to supporting the availability of accurate and consistent information.

In accordance with presidential and DOJ directives, INS will continue to expand on the electronic information repository through added information published on the INS Internet Website. Since 1999, INS has extensively revamped and significantly enhanced both the content and usefulness of the Website. A tremendous growth in the visibility and use of the site resulted. INS will maintain the accuracy and timeliness of the content of this information to promote better understanding of INS' mission and core processes by the general public, INS customers, clientele and stakeholders, as well as fostering interagency sharing of information.

Another critical aspect of the expanded communication of information is addressing the Freedom of Information/Privacy Act mandates. Backlog reduction continues to be the principal goal of the program. INS will employ a variety of techniques to manage the surge in requests and reduce the response time for its customers. INS is advancing national case management systems and solutions to streamline assignment, review and respond to requests for information. INS will reduce the workload by establishing alternative means of addressing requests for particular types of information, e.g., genealogy and case discovery.

MEANS - Annual Goal 4.1

Dollars/FTE

Appropriation

FY 2000
Obligated

FY 2001
Enacted

FY 2002
Requested

$ mil

FTE

$ mil

FTE

$ mil

FTE

Citizenship and Benefits and Program Dir.

101

736

67

862

71

862

Immigration User Fees

2

27

3

28

3

28

Immigration Examination Fees

91

846

164

1093

173

1243

TOTAL

194

1609

234

1983

247

2133

Skills

INS requires computer specialists skilled in database design, systems applications and software design, design and deployment of hardware and telecommunications, as well as problem solving, project design and management, and analytical and program management skills. "Help Desk" assistance, particularly in the field environment, is critical as the new ENFORCE, CLAIMS and biometric systems are being deployed. This includes Internet web managers, web content managers, technical layout and development, policy analysts and advisors and coordinators with the IRM Webmaster technical unit.

Information Technology

INS relies upon ENFORCE, CLAIMS, biometric applications and other mission-direct application systems as well as supporting hardware and telecommunications platforms. In addition, INS uses the Correspondence Control Automated Tracking system to manage the Freedom of Information/Privacy Act responses.

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT - Annual Goal 4.1

4.1A Provide Accurate and Readily Accessible Information

Background/ Program Objectives:

INS will continue to expand use of communications and information technology to make information easily and readily accessible to external and internal customers. INS will provide employers and benefit providers with the information, assistance, and tools needed to allow them to comply with the laws while safeguarding the civil and privacy rights of citizens and aliens alike. As processes and policies are put in place for improved management of information technology (also discussed under 4.6C), informational needs of customers will be identified and addressed through design, development, and deployment of programs and systems. In addition, data quality mechanisms will be built directly into data collection and reporting processes to ensure reliability of data reported.

Data Collection and Storage: INS utilizes the Performance Analysis System (PAS) to capture information on total apprehensions. Transaction counts from the IDENT and ENFORCE automated systems activity are used to identify the number of individual apprehendees receiving subject-case processing and biometrics enrollment/ comparison through these systems. For Deployment of ENFORCE/IDENT software and any related equipment, contractor records are maintained.

Data Validation and Verification: The assigned manager under the INS Annual Performance Management will review submitted data and reports relative to use rates on a quarterly basis.

Data Limitations: Current issues regarding types of cases to exclude from the counts are being reviewed to improve accuracy of performance measurement at this time.

FY 2000 Actual Performance:

Performance Measure: % of Sites with ENFORCE /IDENT Installed – Discontinued Measure

Target: 74% Actual: 71%

Performance Measure: % of Utilization at Sites Where Deployed – Discontinued Measure

Target: IDENT: 88% ENFORCE: 85%

Actual: IDENT: 89% ENFORCE: 87%

Discussion: ENFORCE (booking module) deployment met its requirement of 40 deployments in a manner other than what was planned. The target was for 40 deployments to QRT sites for supporting interior enforcement. Six QRT sites received deployments and the remaining were not addressed in FY 2000 due to the congressionally imposed moratorium on IDENT deployments and the lack of funding for Enforce training. The Border Patrol provided funding and used its own staff to deploy ENFORCE to 37 sites. At this point in time, only 29 site deployments remain to complete initial ENFORCE deployments for Border Patrol operations. No deployment took place for IDENT, either stand-alone or in conjunction with ENFORCE, due to the congressionally imposed moratorium on IDENT deployments pending resolution of issues regarding integration of IDENT with FBI’s Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). A program office with representatives from FBI and INS has been established to oversee the IDENT-IAFIS studies mandated by Congress

Public Benefit: Full deployment of ENFORCE is important for effective interior operations and for providing a complete data set to reflect overall operations. Complete data sets are, in turn, important to providing the information needed to manage the strategy and promote its accomplishment.

FY 2001 Performance Plan Evaluation: Not Applicable. This measure has been discontinued due to the Congressionally imposed moratorium on IDENT deployments.

Data Collection and Storage: Information is derived from management reports and review of the INS Internet.

Data Validation and Verification: Regular review, control and maintenance of the INS Internet is conducted by the responsible INS program personnel and IRM staff.

Data Limitations: The percentage of online forms available does not eliminate the possibility that customers will continue to make non-electronic form requests or file forms manually. The number of applications developed for filing online initially will not reflect nationwide implementation.

Performance Measure: % of Public Use Forms Available Online

Target: 85% (57) Actual: 85% (57)

Performance Measure: Applications That Can be Filed Online

Target: Not projected – new measure Actual: Not counted – new measure

Discussion: At the end of FY 2000, 57 public use forms were available online. INS has committed to making all 67 of its public use forms available and "fillable" online. These forms cover the full range of forms for naturalization and benefits. Making these available online is the first step to allowing applications to be filed electronically. INS is commited to make online filing available for multiple applications in FY 2002.

FY 2001 Performance Plan Evaluation: Based on FY 2000 performance we expect to meet the corresponding FY 2001 targets.

Strategies and Initiatives to Achieve the FY 2002 Goal:

In FY 2002, INS will provide a structured Internet environment to ensure a reliable, easy-to-use means of gathering information for external customers. INS will enhance its Internet base by continuing to provide useful, current information about INS services, offices and functions, policy and plans, regulations and statistics and reports. INS will ensure a responsive platform and information framework that facilitates quick, remote access for wider audiences and for an increased use of the Internet for access to INS forms. In FY 2002, INS will continue to implement the Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA) and take steps toward the future of "e-Gov" through plans to continue high standards of information and e-mail communications. This effort will tie information with other government websites. INS will begin providing services such as electronic filing and fillable forms on the Internet by FY 2002. The first application that can be filed online will be implemented in FY 2002.

INS will emphasize data quality to improve the timeliness and quality of critical data required for service operations and planning. Initiatives will address re-engineering of central data management workload and work-hours data, identifying data integrity improvement needs, implementing data standards and improvement activities, and support the production of official statistics and reports.

Crosscutting Activities:

INS will continue coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on IDENT/IAFIS systems integration to improve the timeliness and accuracy of criminal identification, ensuring that thousands of persons entering the U.S., both legally and illegally, can be promptly checked for the existence of criminal records maintained by the FBI. INS will coordinate with Joint Automated Booking System (JABS) users, such as the U.S. Marshals Service, to deploy the system to INS locations. INS enforcement systems will interface with JABS, thereby ensuring rapid and positive identification of offenders and eliminating redundancy in the booking process.

INS partners with the U.S. Customs Service and DEA to establish formal liaison and develop joint performance objectives.

4.1B Improve the Timeliness and Accuracy of Alien Status Verification Services

Data Collection and Storage: The response time data focuses on services provided through automated submission and verification requests and system based counts are provided. For the number of employers currently enrolled in the employment status verification pilots, the Pilot Tracking System maintains individualized data on each employer enrolled.

Data Validation and Verification: The initial automated request (primary verification) for status verification is responded to almost immediately based on information contained in INS= Alien Status Verification Index (ASVI) database. The response time for each case is automatically calculated and averaged by the system at any given reporting point. Requests where primary verification did not provide a definitive answer often results in a request for further review of INS records (secondary verification). Based on automated transaction requests for secondary verification against the ASVI database, an automated record of the date-in and date-of-response for each request is maintained in the Status of Verification System (SVS). An average response time for secondary request responses for a set of cases over a period of time is computed by the system. In those cases where secondary requests are submitted to INS via the manual G-845 form, the INS status Verifier inputs the date-in and date-of-response for each case into the SVS, and an average response time is computed, as cited above. For data on employers enrolled in the employment verification pilots, only a formal request for removal from the pilot by the employer allows adjustment of the database maintaining the enrollment numbers.

Data Limitations: Data is complete and accurate given the automated basis for capture and reporting.

Background/ Program Objectives:

INS will continue to improve alien employment verification by expanding the availability, timeliness, and effectiveness of voluntary verification services. INS will conduct the three verification pilots mandated by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 allowing employers who have voluntarily enrolled to make inquiries of INS by means of electronic media or telephone to seek confirmation of the identity and employment eligibility of new employees. This service will assist employers with compliance with the law and reduce the possibility of unknowingly employing an unauthorized worker.

FY 2000 Actual Performance:

Performance Measure: Average Response Time for Status Verification (Days)

Target: Gov’t Customers(benefits): 3
Actual : 3

Target: Employers: 1
Actual : 1

Discussion: INS conducts primary checks and manual paper based secondary verifications of alien status for participating benefit- issuing agencies, except those agencies presently testing an automated secondary process: the Department of Labor, the Social Security Administration in New York and New Jersey, and the California Employment Development Department. The manual paper-based secondary verification can take 10-14 days to receive a response.

Public Benefit: This program is an information sharing initiative designed to aid employers and agencies in determining an applicant’s/recipient’s immigration status, and thereby ensure that only entitled applicants/recipients receive federal, state, or local benefits.

FY 2001 Performance Plan Evaluation: Based on FY 2000 performance, we expect to improve upon the corresponding FY 2001 target, reducing the response time for government customers to two days.

Performance Measure: Employers Participating in Verification Pilot Program – Discontinued Measure

Target: 5,500 Actual : 5,500

Discussion: The program increased the number of employers participating in the employment verification pilot program through information dissemination and employer seminars. Additional sites were identified and counted by employers who were verifying employment for multiple sites.

Public Benefit: Discussed above.

FY 2001 Performance Plan Evaluation: Based on FY 2000 performance, we expect to achieve the corresponding FY 2001 goal relating to providing information services. However, as enrollment is a voluntary program and not reflective of INS efforts this indicator will be discontinued as a measure of performance.

Strategies and Initiatives to Achieve the FY 2002 Goal:

In FY 2002, INS will continue to maintain support levels for the status verification information needs of federal, state, and local government customers. Incremental addition of the number of employers served in status verification will occur through voluntary enrollments, and the response times for employer-related status verification gained in FY 2000 will be maintained. The standards for timely processing of verification inquiries will be maintained despite anticipated increases in workload from benefit providers and employers.

Crosscutting Activities:

In providing alien status verification services to employers under the new pilot programs authorized by Congress, INS is working closely with the Social Security Administration (SSA) on two of the three prototype approaches. Additionally, INS provides information on alien status to SSA under a longstanding agreement to assist SSA in processing benefit applications under their legislation.

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STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4.2: IMMIGRATION BENEFITS SERVICES
Deliver services to the public in a professional and courteous manner and ensure that correct immigration benefit decisions are made in a timely and consistent fashion.

Annual Goal 4.2: Ensure that immigration benefit services are timely, fair, and consistent..

STRATEGIES
  • Establish quality assurance, timeliness and customer service standards for all immigration benefits applications processing, and ensure that mechanisms are in place to meet these standards.
  • Maintain fair and timely refugee and asylum case processing that denies meritless claims quickly without discouraging legitimate seekers of refuge.
  • Complete reengineering of the naturalization process, redesign processes for immigrant and non-immigrant applications processing and institute documented standard operating procedures nationwide.
  • Introduce electronic filing for applications processing.
  • Create a culture of customer service as an integral permanent component of INS benefits application processing.

In FY 2002, INS will improve application adjudications processing and related services to ensure they are timely, consistent, fair, and of high quality, with continued emphasis on ensuring the integrity of decisions made on applications for immigration benefits. At the local level, INS will continue to increase community consultations to anticipate or identify potential operational obstacles.

Major service enhancements will also continue, including improvements in automated systems supporting benefit application processing, fingerprint processing, telephone-based and internet-based information services, fulfilling forms requests for INS customers, and online filing of multiple applications.

CLAIMS processing capability will continue to be developed for all new Naturalization case processing and to cover additional applications types and forms. The INS will identify appropriate benefit applications for online filing. In FY 2002, Immigration Benefits Re-engineering activities will focus on the next identified set of INS application types (e.g., I-485 - Adjustment of Status, I-130 - Alien Removal Petition, I-751 - Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence).

During FY 2001, Congress enacted and INS established a Premium Service for Business Case, with an appropriate fee to meet the needs of INS' business clientele who require higher levels of applications service for specific cases (e.g., H-1B - Alien in Specialty Occupation Visa). Authority for premium processsing was granted by Congress and signed by the President as part of the FY 2001 appropriation bill. The anticipated revenues from such fees will focus on the premium service, expand anti-fraud activity, and support capital investments. In FY 2002, INS will maintain the quality standards and processing times for the Premium Business Cases while increasing activity.

MEANS - Annual Goal 4.2

Dollars/FTE

Appropriation

FY 2000
Obligated

FY 2001
Enacted

FY 2002
Requested

$ mil

FTE

$ mil

FTE

$ mil

FTE

Citizenship and Benefits and Program Dir.

98

119

54

38

99

376

Immigration Examination Fees

513

4703

788

5447

857

6440

H-1B Fees

1

0

14

35

16

71

TOTAL

612

4822

856

5520

972

6887

Skills

INS requires Adjudication Officers/Examiners, Immigration Information Officers, Status Verifiers, Examinations Assistants, clerks and temporary INS staff, Quality Assurance specialists, and significant levels of contractor support.

Information Technology

CLAIMS 4 software, used in the processing of Naturalization casework, will be fully deployed to all of the field office sites in FY 2001. Enhanced software versions will be developed and deployed to address Adjustment of Status and other application casework. At INS Service Centers, the current aging CLAIMS 3 automated support will be upgraded. Continued automated enhancements are being made to the applicant fingerprint capture and follow-on FBI print-screening process associated with applications adjudication. IT enhancements for the National Customer Service Center's (NCSC's) phone and Internet information operations; for Forms Centers application requests; and for the National Records Center (which are all critical to INS' benefit applications process), will continue. At the National Records Center (NRC), the RAFACS system (Receipt and Alien-File Accountability and Control System), which allows for timely transfer and tracking of alien-file (A-file) records associated with applications processing, was replaced by the National Files Tracking System (NFTS).

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT - Annual Goal 4.2

4.2A Ensure Immigration Benefit Services are Timely, Fair, and Consistent

Data Collection and Storage: Data collected using a mix of automated counts and manual case counts. Some data are collected locally under manual counts and reported monthly through the automated PAS database, and some counts are provided from various automated systems supporting casework (e.g. CLAIMS4, CLAIMS3, and the Redesigned Naturalization Casework System).

Data Validation and Verification: INS instituted monthly data reconciliation and review activities to maximize the integrity of the data reported. Data on the quality of case work is currently compiled by Quality Assurance Analysts and independent contractor(s) conducting quality reviews.

Data Limitations: In FY 2001, N-400 Naturalization case capability will be fully deployed under CLAIMS4, with additional case types (AOS) to be immediately addressed in follow-on efforts. This will allow all data for these cases to be fully automated and case-based, providing for timely and accurate data.

Background/ Program Objectives:

The INS will increase performance in application casework processing while meeting completion goals for FY 2002. As a result of continual improvements in the processing mechanisms as well as staff performance and realignment, the INS will provide efficient service as well as timely adjudication of applications to its customers. INS will achieve a six to nine month processing time for naturalization applications in FY 2002, realign resources and increase staff efficiencies for other application processes. In FY 2002, INS will maintain a 99% level of compliance with Naturalization Quality Procedures and will establish a baseline level of compliance with the Adjustment of Status (AOS) quality standard.

FY 2000 Actual Performance:

Performance Measure: Average Case Processing Time

Target: Naturalization: 6 Actual: 8

Target: Adjustment of Status: 24 Actual: 17

Performance Measure: Level of Compliance with Quality Standards

Target: Naturalization: 99% Actual: 99.4%

Discussion: In FY 2000, INS missed its target. However, during peak periods at the end of the year, INS met the six month processing time by shifting resources to increase production. In December 1999, District Offices submitted detailed production plans to ensure increased productivity during the FY. Representatives from various INS components met to review receipts and workload distribution and affirm the annual goals. Continuation Review Teams conducted site visits to meet with field representatives from district and sub-offices, review local case continuations and make recommendations to reduce the continuation rate and processing time for completing continued cases. The Director of Production Management Division traveled to districts and Service Centers to meet with field managers to review production plans and expectations.

Public Benefit: INS will continue reengineering efforts, resulting in delivering services to the public that are timely, consistent, fair, and of high quality.

FY 2001 Performance Plan Evaluation: Based on FY 2000 performance, we expect to achieve the corresponding FY 2001 targets.

Data Collection and Storage: Data collected using a mix of automated counts and manual case counts. Some data are collected locally under manual counts and reported monthly through the automated PAS database, and some counts are provided from various automated systems supporting casework (e.g. CLAIMS4, CLAIMS3, and the Redesigned Naturalization Casework System).

Data Validation and Verification: INS instituted monthly data reconciliation and review activities to maximize the integrity of the data reported. Data on the quality of case work is currently compiled by Quality Assurance Analysts and independent contractor(s) conducting quality reviews.

Data Limitations: In FY 2001, N-400 Naturalization case capability will be fully deployed under CLAIMS4, with additional case types (AOS) to be immediately addressed in follow-on efforts. This will allow all data for these cases to be fully automated and case-based, providing for timely and accurate data.

Performance Measure: Number of Cases Completed (Adjudicated) (millions)

Target: Naturalization:1.3 million Actual: 1.3

Target: Adjustment of Status: .5 million Actual: .6

Discussion: While both targets were met or exceeded, naturalization receipts level have been lower than projected, while adjustment of status caseload has grown.

Public Benefit: Discussed above.

FY 2001 Performance Plan Evaluation: Based on current projections, the FY 2001 target for Naturalizations and the Adjustment of Status cases will be 800,000. INS has revised estimates of receipts and projections and will shift Naturalization case staff resources to Adjustment of Status (AOS) cases as the Naturalization backlog decreases. INS will decrease processing times to 11-14 months.

Strategies and Initiatives to Achieve the FY 2002 Goal:

In FY 2002, INS will increase its performance in addressing applications case work while maintaining processing times in Naturalization and Adjustment of Status case work, including the Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act workload. INS will maintain current processing time for new asylum casework, completing 75% of all referrals within 60 days.

In Naturalization, FY 2002 efforts will include completion goals for other naturalization applications such as Applications for Certificates of Citizenship and Applications for Replacement Certificates. At the same time, improvements to the Adjustment of Status process will be underway, particularly to standardize procedures, decrease backlogs and reduce completion time frames. Production efficiencies will be further defined to hold processing times for Naturalization and Adjustment of Status applications to a minimum. INS will maintain the quality level for ensuring the integrity of those cases at 99 percent based on compliance with the Naturalization Quality Procedures, and maintain the time frames for processing related fingerprint work, as increased workload is addressed. A baseline for Adjustment of Status quality standards will be established in FY 2002.

Crosscutting Activities:

INS coordinates with the FBI for fingerprint screening. INS coordinates with the Department of State and Department of Labor in the Data-share initiative to electronically share traveler visa and application information to improve the issuance process and improve identification of fraudulent visas.

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STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4.3: BORDER ENFORCEMENT
Secure the ports of entry, land borders and coasts of the United States against unlawful entry.

Annual Goal 4.3: Effectively control the border and deter illegal immigration at the source.

STRATEGIES
  • Prevent and deter illegal entry by phased implementation of a comprehensive border enforcement strategy that concentrates resources to control corridors of illegal entry.
  • Pursue border safety initiatives that create a safe border environment.
  • Strengthen the capabilities of host and transit countries to combat illegal migrations and prevent and deter illegal immigration at the source.
  • Enhance and maintain an effective intelligence capability through coordination with other agencies and integration of INS worldwide intelligence resources.

In FY 2002, INS will continue with the Border Management and Control strategies, which include Port Enforcement, and Deterrence and Apprehension. Port Enforcement efforts target not only more sophisticated methods of illegal immigration and alien smuggling, but also implement the expedited removal authority granted under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.

Efforts in Deterrence and Apprehension target unlawful border crossers who seek to enter between POEs. The INS National Border Control Concept is to achieve control of the border at and between POEs. Additional Border Patrol resources (personnel and technology) are needed in FY 2002 to maintain and extend control along the border. INS will also use Community Relations resources to forge effective relationships and engage in cooperative activities with national, state, and local government as well as non-government entities to defuse tensions and provide forums for discussion and feedback on INS laws, policy and practices.

Additional impacts on operational effectiveness and deterrence levels within identified zones and corridors can be achieved by the continued systematic deployment of agent staffing, technology and other resources that directly support enforcement operations. Moreover, INS will continue developing an intelligence infrastructure with the goal of supporting all enforcement efforts, and creating seamless border coverage that integrates border and interior enforcement efforts. INS also will intercept and repatriate mala fide travelers and offshore migrants en route to the United States.

MEANS - Annual Goal 4.3

Dollars/FTE

Appropriation

FY 2000
Obligated

FY 2001
Enacted

FY 2002
Requested

$ mil

FTE

$ mil

FTE

$ mil

FTE

Enforcement and Border Affairs

1741

13370

1146

11148

1272

11648

Enforcement Fines

2

0

6

0

6

0

TOTAL

1743

13370

1152

11148

1278

11648

Skills

Border Patrol agents, Immigration Inspectors, and Intelligence Officers must have interpersonal skills, problem solving abilities, composure, skill in the use of firearms, operate a variety of motor vehicles, and be fluent in Spanish.

Information Technology

The Interagency Border Inspection System is a major tool used to inspect travelers. Photophone equipment, allows transmission of photographic images between the INS Forensic Document Lab and POEs. The ENFORCE system is to be integrated with ENFORCE/EID. Automated ENFORCE subject-case processing software is used where deployed. In addition, significant efforts are underway to integrate live-scan biometrics functionality with the FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Information System (IAFIS). A geographical information system and Technology refresh, a hardware-software-telecommunications platform upgrade may be enhanced in FY 2001. The Border enforcement effort between the Ports-of-Entry also utilizes the Integrated Surveillance Intelligence System which uses cameras, monitors, and sensors.

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT - Annual Goal 4.3

4.3A Effectively Control the Border (Management Challenge)

Background/ Program Objectives:

At the Ports-of-Entry

As the number of passengers continues to increase at the POEs, INS will revisit the inspections process and establish innovative approaches to accomplish the mission. INS will expand use of Passenger Analysis Units at air POEs that will analyze flight information form the Advance Passenger Information System, passenger reservation system, open-source information and law enforcement databases to identify high-risk travelers before they arrive in the United States. The Passenger Analysis Unit will also develop post-secondary intermediate and long-range operations that detect evolving trends in smuggling, visa and Visa Waiver program scams and other types of fraud. INS will also continue to expand the automated National Crime Information Center Interstate Identification Index criminal history record queries of Advance Passenger Information data to the Miami International Airport and the Los Angeles airport. This approach was used very successfully at the John F. Kennedy and Newark International Airports to intercept criminal aliens. Also, as more Border Patrol agents and resources are applied to targeted areas along the border, the POEs will experience an increase in mala fide travelers.

Along the Border

Since its inception in 1994, the Border Patrol’s National Strategic Plan has been the basis for a multi-year, phased approach to the deployment of new resources along the Southwest border, initially concentrating on areas of greatest illegal entry. The strategic plan was developed as a systematic four-phased approach to strengthen control of the border with a national focus of "prevention through deterrence" as a means to restrict illegal traffic and encourage legal entry. Deterrence is defined as raising the risk of apprehension so high that it is futile to attempt entry. The four-phased approach will build-up resources along the entire Southwest border as well as the northern border and coastal areas of the United States.

The highest priority is the Southwest border and those areas with the highest concentration of illegal entry. The strategy focuses resources on specific sectors (further defined by corridors) in priority order. Phase I includes San Diego (2 corridors) and El Paso (3 corridors). Phase II covers Tucson (3 corridors) and McAllen (3 corridors). Phase III concentrates on Del Rio (2 Corridors) and Laredo (3 Corridors), and the remainder of the Southwest border. Phase IV includes the Northern Border and Coastal areas as well as new areas of activity. Currently, we are in Phase II and have achieved optimum deterrence in the principal corridors where traditional illegal activity has occurred in San Diego and El Paso, and are attempting to maintain that level while focusing on the Tucson corridors. The primary indicator of successful deterrence is the significant reduction and leveling off of attempted entry. Optimum deterrence is defined as the level at which applying more Border Patrol agents and resources would not yield a significant gain in arrests/deterrence. This is a critical point in our strategy, as it would make little sense to try to reach essentially zero illegal entry attempts in one location while there are literally thousands of such attempts in another. Through sufficient staffing in recent years we have been able to profile and predict the trend pattern to reaching optimum deterrence. It takes several years of staffing up until a peak is reached in staffing levels and arrests, followed by a reduction in illegal entry attempts (deterrence), culminating in a leveling off of both resources and arrests (optimum deterrence). Another important factor to note is that it can take up to 6-8 years to reach optimum deterrence.

Although we look to an eventual reduction in arrests as a primary indicator of illegal entry attempts (and therefore deterrence), other critical indicators include: decrease in border related crime, decrease in recidivism, shifting of illegal activity to non-traditional points of entry and through non-traditional methods, increase in smuggling fees, increase in property values and commercial and public development along the border, etc. Each of these factors (and others) is part of a comprehensive analysis conducted for each area. The effectiveness of the Border Patrol’s National Strategic Plan is evidenced by the significant changes in illegal entry attempts in the San Diego, California; El Paso and Brownsville, Texas; and Nogales, Arizona border areas. The ultimate impact is the increase in quality of life in these areas.

FY 2000 Actual Performance:

Performance Measure: High Priority Border Corridors Demonstrating Optimum Deterrence

Target: Not projected – new measure Actual: 6 corridors

Discussion: During FY 2000, INS continued to refine the border control operational effectiveness measure, in particular by using "corridors" rather than zones, with each sector identifying the corridors within their area of operation. FY 2000 resulted in 6 corridors achieving optimum deterrence. The Phase I Sectors, San Diego and El Paso, maintained optimum deterrence in two corridors each, while the Phase II Sectors, Tucson and McAllen, maintained optimum deterrence in one corridor each. INS continued to deploy resources, personnel, equipment, and technology in anticipation of further improvement.

Public Benefit: INS efforts along the Southwest border will reduce illegal migration into the United States and ultimately improve the quality of life in these areas.

FY 2001 Performance Plan Evaluation: Based on program performance in FY 2000, we expect to meet our FY 2001 target.

High Priority Border Corridors Demonstrating Optimum Deterrence [INS]d

Phase 1 # of Corridors FY94* FY95* FY96* FY97* FY98* FY99* FY00 FY01 FY02 FY03 FY04
San Diego
2
0
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
El Paso
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
                         
Phase II                        
Tucson
3
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
McAllen
3
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
                         
Phase III**                        
Laredo
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Del Rio
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
El Centro
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
                         
Yuma
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Marfa
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Assumptions: Projected corridor effectiveness depicted in FY 01 through FY 04 is dependant upon sufficient allocation of resources. Optimum deterrence on the border will not increase in proportion to marginal increases in resources.

*Note: Corridor effectiveness shown above for FY 94 through FY 99 is estimated, due to the lack of available data for corridors during that period.
**Note: Although Phase III is not expected to begin until after FY 04, the anticipated affected Sectors are currently developing local operational plans in accordance with the National Border Patrol Strategy.

Data Definitions: The operational effectiveness measure used for Border Patrol operations between ports-of-entry (POEs), i.e., the level of operational effectiveness within identified corridors (of the Southwest border) is defined as apprehensions plus turn backs (the attempt was thwarted), divided by attempts. Attempts are compiled by adding apprehensions plus evadees plus turn backs. In the past, the number of successful illegal entries (evadees) was largely unknown. With our technology today, evadees and turn backs are estimated by Border Patrol agents using information from video cameras, infrared scopes (ground and airborne), helicopter patrols, sensor hits, tracks, etc. Operational effectiveness is further analyzed by evaluating: increase in traffic outside of targeted zones/corridors, decrease in number of attempted illegal entries, decrease in the number of violent acts against law enforcement, and utilization of "non-traditional" entry routes. Through our management of operational effectiveness we will gain deterrence in targeted corridors within identified sectors.

Data Collection and Storage: Data for the measure is compiled by zones (the smallest geographical area of focus). It is then aggregated at the Sector level into Sector corridors. The following are types of data collected: activity (arrests, evadees, turn backs), narcotics seizures (number, type, weight), personnel (permanent, detailed in or out), technology (lighting, cameras, barriers, sensors, vehicles), narrative reports (trends, Incidents, factors affecting entry), and additional monthly statistics (IDENT/ENFORCE usage, crime rates). Ninety percent of all data is mined from ENFORCE. Two percent comes from sector-level automated databases that are part of BPETS (G-259, G-481, and VETS). Eight percent comes from manual collection (tally sheets used by Border Patrol Agents to record number of turn backs, evadees, tunnel entries, etc.)

Data Validation and Verification: On a monthly basis, summarized nationwide reporting occurs through INS' centralized, automated Performance Analysis System (PAS) database. Monthly reviews and editing of apprehension numbers reported in PAS is conducted not only at the Sector level, but also by the centralized INS Statistics Division, which maintains the PAS database. Increasingly, review and editing involves using systems counts from ENFORCE/IDENT.

Data Limitations: Currently, a process to standardize all such recording and reporting of data is being implemented across all Border Patrol Sectors to ensure consistency and validity. The collection of this data is currently an intensive manual process. The use of the INS Intranet to extract existing data from automated systems such as ENFORCE and ICAD along with auxiliary data not yet automated is being tested at limited pilot sites. The national implementation of such operational data will be used to access and analyze operational effectiveness.

Strategies and Initiatives to Achieve the FY 2002 Goal:

We will continue to implement the Border Patrol National Strategic Plan to improve control of targeted areas on the border by preventing illegal entries through deterrence. While attempting to maintain our current level of effectiveness in San Diego and El Paso, we will continue Phase II efforts in Tucson and McAllen. Our basic strategy is to apply increased levels of Border Patrol resources staff, technology and other resources (increasing the level of operational effectiveness) in the busiest areas until the risk of apprehension is high enough to be an effective deterrent, thus creating acceptable area-wide control. The INS will continue border safety initiatives by tracking and recording deaths and rescues, binational mapping, targeting smugglers, integrating the Border Safety Initiative into all aspects of Operations, and increasing awareness through public outreach.

While optimum deterrence takes many years, internally INS will conduct an assessment of areas where we are maintaining or extending control to analyze our operational effectiveness. Operational effectiveness is defined as apprehensions plus turn backs (the attempt was thwarted), divided by attempts. Attempts are compiled by adding apprehensions plus evadees plus turn backs. In the past, the number of successful illegal entries (evadees) was largely unknown. With our technology today, evadees and turn backs are estimated by Border Patrol agents using information from video cameras, infrared scopes (ground and airborne), helicopter patrols, sensor hits, tracks, etc. Optimum deterrence is further analyzed by evaluating: increase in traffic outside of targeted corridors, decrease in number of attempted illegal entries, decrease in the number of violent acts against law enforcement, and utilization of "non-traditional" entry routes. Through our management of operational effectiveness we will gain deterrence in targeted corridors within identified sectors.

Crosscutting Activities:

The INS coordinates with other federal, state, local, and international law enforcement agencies where operational initiatives are crosscutting. This includes memoranda of understanding (MOU) with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), particularly with respect to a delegation of legal authority to enforce drug laws under Title 21. A similar MOU is in place with the United States Customs Service where cross-designated authority is provided to both INS and Customs officers to enforce their respective laws. INS, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and the FBI, often coordinate at the INS Sector and District Office levels.

The INS also is involved with a number of federal, state, and local joint-agency task forces with missions such as anti-terrorism, drug interdiction, disruption of alien smuggling, detection of fraud, and other illegal activities. On the international front, the INS coordinates its border enforcement efforts with land neighbors to the north and south engaged in such special programs as Operation Alliance with Mexico, and Project Northstar with Canada.

4.3B Deter Illegal Immigration at the Source

Background/ Program Objectives:

The INS enforcement activity overseas is dedicated to halting illegal immigration at the source in order to safeguard our borders. By intercepting mala fide (undocumented) travelers, disrupting organized alien smuggling operations and prosecuting known alien smugglers overseas, the INS sends a clear message to potential illegal migrants that such activity is not acceptable or achievable. Strong enforcement actions overseas strengthen the legal immigrations process and saves the INS costly processing, detention, and removal of aliens who may gain access illegally to the United States.

Data Collection and Storage: Data are compiled daily on the G-23.34 Workload summary submitted by INS offices in respective foreign countries and reported to the District Office level. The District Office forwards that data to the Office of International Affairs and to the Performance Analysis System (PAS) database.

Data Validation and Verification: On a monthly basis, overseas district offices report a summary of the number of interceptions to the Office of International Affairs. The same information is provided to the INS PAS.

Data Limitations: As PAS captures aggregate workload data, the data cannot be reconstructed from individual files.

FY 2000 Actual Performance:

Performance Measure: Interception of Mala Fide and Offshore Travelers en route to the United States

Target: 8,283 Actual: 19,007

Performance Measure: Offshore Prosecutions Assisted by INS Aided by Fraudulent Document Detection

Target: 107 Actual: 514

Discussion: In FY 2000, the Overseas Districts accounted for the interception of 19,007 mala fide, or undocumented, migrants en route to the United States. These intercepts were accomplished as a result of INS officers working closely with their host country government agencies, diplomatic missions and consular posts abroad, other U.S. government agencies, airline industry officials, local law enforcement, and immigration entities to provide advice, training and assistance and accomplish anti-smuggling deterrence operations. This included training in recognizing migrant trafficking scenarios, detecting fraudulent documents, and facilitating the efficient boarding of bona fide travelers. As a result of the assistance provided by INS overseas, host countries initiated prosecution and abatement efforts in 514 cases. Improved and thorough reporting of these activities by the INS overseas District offices resulted in a more accurate account of these activities than has been available in the past, and INS significantly exceeding its targets.

Public Benefit: Through overseas efforts, the level of illegal migration into the United States decreased.

FY 2001 Performance Plan Evaluation: Based on program performance in FY 2000, INS projects that it will continue at the current level, exceeding the FY 2001 corresponding targets.

Strategies and Initiatives to Achieve the FY 2002 Goal:

In FY 2002, DOJ will continue to strengthen INS' capability to apprehend and deter persons attempting illegal entry by hampering the efforts of alien smugglers and drug carriers. The Operation Global Reach initiative was designed to expand INS presence overseas in transit and migrant producing countries. This effort has resulted in the development of intelligence supporting enforcement operations aimed at detecting mala fide travelers, fraudulent document purveyors and alien smuggling organizations.

Crosscutting Activities:

INS agents in offices worldwide work closely with the Department of State, DEA, the United States Customs Service (USCS), FBI, and foreign governments, in order to exchange information with their foreign immigration counterparts and to better identify and disrupt organized alien smuggling activities.

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STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4.4: BORDER FACILITATION
Facilitate lawful travel and commerce across the borders of the United States.

Annual Goal 4.4: Facilitate port of entry traffic.

STRATEGIES
  • Promote the expeditious movement of travelers by conducting critical enforcement functions prior to the primary inspection process.
  • Maximize the use of techniques and technologies that promote and expedite lawful entry and exit, including cooperative strategies with local authorities, the travel industry and foreign governments.
  • Continue to develop, improve and integrate alternative inspection processes.
  • Work cooperatively with other federal agencies at ports-of-entry to create a secure and seamless federal inspection process.
  • Establish travel service standards and ensure mechanisms are in place to meet those standards.

The rapid and continued growth of passenger and vehicular traffic has placed greater demands on the inspections process. In order to meet INS' objective of facilitating the movement of travelers and commerce without compromising its enforcement mission, INS has continued to work with the other federal inspection services to obtain and utilize all available information prior to passengers arriving at United States borders. In FY 2002, INS will strive to improve upon the traveler processing times at ports-of-entry (POE) that were achieved in FY 2001. With significant increases in passenger traffic anticipated, additional inspection program resources, as well as continued development and utilization of automation and technologies, will be needed to meet the expected workload.

MEANS - Annual Goal 4.4

Dollars/FTE

Appropriation

FY 2000
Obligated

FY 2001
Enacted

FY 2002
Requested

$ mil

FTE

$ mil

FTE

$ mil

FTE

Enforcement and Border Affairs

169

1701

198

1741

204

1777

Immigration User Fee

283

3108

307

3356

395

3702

Land Border Inspection Fee

1

16

2

26

2

26

TOTAL

453

4825

507

5123

601

5505

Skills

Immigration Inspectors must have interpersonal skills, problem solving abilities, composure, skill in the use of firearms, operate a variety of motor vehicles, and be fluent in Spanish.

Information Technology

INS uses automation and technologies to facilitate processing time performance, such as dedicated commuter lanes and accelerated passenger lanes. The Performance Analysis System (PAS) and system-generated counts are used to report data on the use of automation and technologies to facilitate traveler inspections on a monthly basis.

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT - Annual Goal 4.4

4.4A Facilitate Port-of-Entry Traffic

Background/ Program Objectives:

The INS and the U.S. Customs Service (USCS) agreed that mutual cooperation in policy and operational matters enhances the facilitation and enforcement objectives of each agency. To this end, INS will continue to coordinate and integrate efforts with USCS and the other federal inspection services to facilitate the inspection of bonafide travelers.

On June 15, 2000, the Immigration and Naturalization Service Data Management Improvement Act of 2000 was enacted. This Act amends Section 110 of the Illegal Immigrations Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and requires the development of an integrated entry and exit data system using available data to record alien arrivals and departures in an electronic format, without establishing additional document requirements.

Data Collection and Storage: Data are reported monthly using the Performance Analysis System (PAS) and system generated counts to identify the numbers of travelers participating. INS collects data in the PAS workload and resource tracking system.

Data Validation and Verification: PAS verification is conducted by the Statistics Office of the Office of Policy and Planning. The statistics are corroborated through submission audits; edits, data validation and logic checks, and contact with field offices for missing information.

Data Limitations: PAS records are complete with 95 percent of field office records entered within the first 8 working days of the reporting month.

FY 2000 Actual Performance:

Performance Measure: % of Travelers Inspected with INSPASS – Discontinued Measure

Target: .70 % Actual: .57%

Discussion: In FY 2000, the Visa Waiver Pilot Program expired with no permanent program in place for six months. This six month gap had a significant effect on INSPASS usage as the Visa Waiver Pilot Program applicants could not use the system during this time. Public Benefit: Discussed below.

FY 2001 Performance Plan Evaluation: Although the INSPASS program will continue there are no plans at this time for expansion, therefore this indicator will no longer be included in the Departmental Performance Plan.

Performance Measure: New title: % of Travelers Inspected by Automated Dedicated Commuter Lanes (DCLs) Former title: % of Travelers Inspected with SENTRI

Target: 2.75% Actual: 4.10%

Discussion: This measure reflects the percent of vehicle traffic inspected by Automated Dedicated Commuter Lanes (DCLs) at land border ports equipped with automated DCLs. Automated DCL enrollment and usage has continued to increase. At ports equipped with Automated DCLs, 4.1% of the vehicles were inspected by the automated systems, which exceeded the annual target of 2.75%. (SENTRI is an Automated DCL system utilizing state-of-the-art automation and security. The system uses electronic transponders attached to the traveler’s vehicle as well as an enrollment identification card as its verification process).

Public Benefit: Discussed below.

Data Collection and Storage: Given the variance in land POEs, wait time data for each port is collected manually based on unique circumstances and reported through INS regional offices.

Data Validation and Verification: This data is collected locally and validated daily. Processes were implemented at the local level for affected communities and users to review results to ensure third party validation of these unique measurements requirements.

Data Limitations: Land border POEs utilize one of three approved methodologies to calculate wait times, hence variance in data may occur among the land POEs.

FY 2001 Performance Plan Evaluation: Based on program performance in FY 2000 and the opening of the San Ysidro, California, SENTRI site, the percentage of vehicles inspected by automated technologies is expected to increase in FY 2001 to 4.9%.

Performance Measure: % of Total Commercial Flights to Clear Primary Inspection with 30 Minutes

Target: 72 % Actual: 77%

Discussion: INS exceeded the annual target. However, select high traffic airports reported delays in processing times during peak travel periods. A significant increase in the volume of air traffic contributed to delayed processing times at air POEs this fiscal year.

FY 2001 Performance Plan Evaluation: Based on program performance in FY 2000, we expect to achieve the corresponding FY 2001 target of 72%. This target is less than our current performance due to projected increases in travelers seeking entry into the U.S. and additional airport terminals due to open in FY 2001, which will be staffed below optimum levels.

Public Benefit: Discussed below.

Performance Measure: % of Land Border Wait Times 20 Minutes or Less

Target: 80 % Actual: 80%

Discussion: INS met its FY 2000 target. Although some high traffic land border ports experienced significant delays during the third and fourth quarters, the majority of the wait times at land POEs were within the 20 minute standard. We continue to track high traffic ports and their peak wait times.

FY 2001 Performance Plan Evaluation: Based on program performance in FY 2000, we expect to achieve the corresponding FY 2001 target.

Public Benefit: As a result of INS efforts to facilitate lawful travel and commerce across the borders into the United States, travelers spent less time waiting at ports of entry.

Strategies and Initiatives to Achieve the FY 2002 Goal:

During FY 2002, INS, in cooperation with other agencies, will continue meeting the congressionally mandated 45-minute processing time at air POEs, and continue its commitment to attain a 30-minute processing time.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service Data Management Improvement Act requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and Commerce, to establish a joint task force. The task force will be composed of the Attorney General (or designee) and 16 members including private sector representatives of affected industries and representatives from federal, state, and local agencies. The task force will determine the most appropriate method of implementing an electronic entry and exit data system. INS established the Arrival Departure Information System (to create a centralized database to store arrival and departure data electronically for all non-U.S. citizens.

Crosscutting Activities:

At land POEs, INS collects data on processing times in cooperation with the U.S. Customs Service (USCS). Pursuant to a 1979 Memorandum of Understanding, INS and the USCS agreed to staff land POE vehicle lanes on an equal basis. At air POEs, USCS and INS receive passenger data from the Advance Passenger Information System, which allows the agencies to perform enforcement checks and identify high-risk passengers before they arrive in the U.S.

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STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4.5: INTERIOR ENFORCEMENT
Preserve the integrity of the legal immigration system and promote public safety and national security by deterring illegal immigrations, combating immigration-related crimes and removing individuals, especially criminals, who are unlawfully present in the United States.

Annual Goal 4.5: Increase the number of alien removals and disrupt and dismantle alien smuggling and trafficking organizations.

STRATEGIES
  • Identify and expeditiously remove criminal aliens and develop approaches to minimize recidivism.
  • Disrupt and dismantle alien smuggling and trafficking organizations.
  • Support global and border enforcement efforts to intercept illegal immigrations-related activities before they occur.
  • Respond to community reports and complaints about the negative consequences of illegal immigrations and build partnerships to help address these concerns.
  • Minimize immigration benefit fraud and other documents abuse.
  • Block and remove employer's access to undocumented worker, and help reduce worker exploitations.

The INS adopted an Interior Enforcement Strategy (IES) which coordinates resources and increases inter-governmental cooperation and community consultations. This strategy calls for increased cross-component and cross-regional planning and action, concentrating on critical common targets: the prompt removal of high-priority categories of illegal aliens, the deterrence of unauthorized migration, and the minimum harm to the public and national security by aliens.

In FY 2002, INS will continue to remove aliens receiving final orders of deportation by focusing on high-priority cases as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of the Institutional Removal Program, which includes institutional hearings and county jail programs. INS will also increase the use of alternative, non-hearing removals. The flow of illegal aliens and increasing number of criminal alien inmates and referrals from law enforcement entities will require INS to increase bed space and transportation to support interior and border removals. INS will target its efforts to include the use of the National Crime Information Center to identify criminals and recidivists and will develop additional agreements with foreign governments, Bureau of Prisons and U.S. Marshals Service to facilitate removal, repatriation, and information sharing.

Another major component of the FY 2002 performance plan is to aggressively pursue complex, large-scale, international investigations to prevent, identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal organizations that facilitate illegal migration. FY 2002 activities center on the National Anti-Smuggling Strategy and related fraud and illegal employment violations. INS will target anti-smuggling enforcement activity in specific corridors. Anti-smuggling strategies will be coordinated with FBI border, and overseas initiatives. INS will maximize the use of its intelligence resources and related technology to focus its investigative and enforcement resources in areas that will achieve highest impact. Efforts will be made to expand INS' geographic reach and inter-component cooperation. In conjunction with smuggling cases, INS will pursue operations against major benefit and document fraud conspiracies. INS will deter the presence of illegal aliens and support the integrity of the legal immigration process by focusing on criminal investigations of those employers who intentionally violate immigration laws or engage in smuggling or immigration-related fraud. Asset forfeiture violations uncovered as a result of smuggling, fraud, and work-site enforcement cases will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law.

INS will continue its efforts to improve the responsiveness to and coordination with local law enforcement. By the end of FY 2000, INS had deployed 45 Quick Response Teams (QRTs). Over 97% of the 200 funded and originally selected QRT officers were on duty at their assigned locations by the end of the first quarter in FY 2001. INS continues to look at the feasibility and practicality of expanding the number of QRTs during FY 2001. INS will evaluate the interaction of QRTs with other enforcement efforts. Consistent with one of the goals of the QRT initiative, lNS worked closely with communities to resolve local issues and will continue this dialogue on immigration-related matters.

INS initiatives on the national and global levels will benefit from partnerships with other DOJ components to combat terrorism, organized crime, illegal drugs, and violent gangs to reduce the threat of criminal activity committed by foreign nationals.

MEANS - Annual Goal 4.5

Dollars/FTE

Appropriation

FY 2000
Obligated

FY 2001
Enacted

FY 2002
Requested

$ mil

FTE

$ mil

FTE

$ mil

FTE

Enforcement and Border Affairs

314

2776

341

2850

357

2946

Immigration User Fee

9

71

10

73

11

73

Immigration Examinations Fee

11

97

19

121

19

148

TOTAL

334

2944

370

3044

387

3167

Skills

Achievement of this goal requires Deportation Officers; Detention Enforcement Officers; Docket Clerks; IRP Directors; Attorneys; Legal Technicians; Procurement Officers; Special Agents; Investigative Assistants; Immigration Agents; Financial Analysts for asset forfeiture; Intelligence Agents/Officers including intelligence officers with expertise as document/fingerprint examiners; analysts, data input clerks, and other support staff. All Forensic Document Examiners are certified with a masters degree in forensic science. Some have specific areas of expertise (e.g. forensic photography, fingerprints, digital evidence examination).

Information Technology

Systems utilized to collect performance data include the Deportable Aliens Control System (DACS), the Criminal Alien Information System (CAIS), Performance Analysis System (PAS), LYNX work-site enforcement case tracking system, and Orion LEADS intelligence system. Ultimately, the data will be captured in ENFORCE. The verification of aliens' lawful status by the Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC) includes interfaces with DACS and other corporate information systems such as the Central Index System (CIS). INS also interfaces with the NCIC to report wanted and deported alien felons.

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT - Annual Goal 4.5

4.5A Increase the Number of Criminal Alien Removals (Management Challenge) and Monitor Alien Overstays (Management Challenge)

Data Collection and Storage: Removals projections are linked to use of detention resources and lengths-of-stay. INS collects removal and detention data in the Deportable Alien Control System (DACS) case tracking system. Data is input to DACS daily from physical Alien-files, primarily by INS Deportation Program staff, and to a lesser extent, inspectors and agents. DACS is updated throughout the life cycle of the case.

Data Validation and Verification: DACS verification occurs through the headquarters DACS quality team, file reviews, comparison with monthly statistical reports, INSPECT team reviews, and district status reports and call-up lists. The Statistics Office of the Office of Policy and Planning conducts monthly quality reviews of DACS data.

Data Limitations: DACS removals records are complete, with 99 percent of total removals records entered within 6 months of the close of the fiscal year. A small but significant number of detention records (approximately 7 percent of over one hundred thousand records) are incomplete and cannot be used to calculate lengths-of-stay in det