USCIS has revised its requirement that the FBI name check clearance be obtained before any immigration benefits applications can be approved, regardless of the processing times for such clearance. According to Michael Aytes, Associate Director, Domestic Operations, USCIS, dated February 4, 2008, “Where the application is otherwise approvable and the FBI name check request has been pending for more than 180 days, the adjudicator shall approve the 1-485,1-601,1-687, or 1-698 and proceed with card issuance. The FBI has committed to providing FBI name check results within this timeframe.” However, the FBI fingerprint check, IBIS check and FBI name check must still be completed in order for Form N-400 (naturalization) to be approved.
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