The Washington Post reported that “The FBI system for checking the names of immigration applicants suffers from ‘serious deficiencies’ that have produced overwhelming backlogs and questions about the reliability of the information, an internal audit has found. The bureau’s name checks have fallen victim to ‘outdated and inefficient technology’ as well as inadequately trained employees, according to a report issued yesterday by the Justice Department inspector general.”
The relatively recent news related to the backlog in background checks is that USCIS will now approve adjustment of status cases (Form I-485) pending for at least six months even if the background checks have not cleared. If negative information is discovered after the approval, then USCIS can take action. USCIS needs to extend this policy to naturalization and asylum cases as well.