DHS Seeks Public Input to Identify Barriers that Limit or Prevent Access to Immigration Benefits and Services

WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking comment from the public on how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can reduce barriers that prevent both U.S. and foreign citizens from obtaining access to the full assortment of legally available immigration services and benefits.

DHS published a Request for Public Input in the Federal Register seeking the public's input on barriers to USCIS benefits and services, including but not limited to adjustment of status, naturalization, H-1B nonimmigrant status, refugee status, asylum, and parole. A central goal of the Request for Public Input is to promote equity, above all by reducing administrative burdens, undue complexity, unnecessary confusion, and processing and waiting times. The department requests feedback about any regulations or processes that disproportionally burden disadvantaged, vulnerable, or marginalized communities.

This effort will help identify process improvements for USCIS to operate more efficiently and effectively, and to improve its administration of the nation's immigration benefits, a core pillar in the agency's mission. These improvements have the potential to provide major benefits to individuals; state, local, tribal, and territorial governments; small business and startups; educational institutions of all kinds; and nonprofits.

This announcement is a part of the Department's commitment to fulfill the promise of President Biden's Feb. 2, 2021, Executive Order 14012, "Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans," which directs responsible Federal agencies to identify strategies that promote inclusion and identify barriers that impede access to immigration benefits.

The public may submit comments, identified by docket number USCIS-2021-0004, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Please follow the instructions for submitting comments. All written comments are requested on or before May 19. Comments submitted in a manner other than the one listed in the Federal Register, including e-mails or letters sent to DHS or USCIS officials, may not be reviewed.

Feedback from this initiative will be used to refine and strengthen strategic plans, consider reforms, and execute reports pursuant to President Biden's Executive Order 14012. Changes and or process improvements, based on this feedback, will be at the sole discretion of DHS.