1/15/2008

The USCIS Vermont Service Center (VSC) changed its procedures for requesting expedited action. The end of the fax system and its replacement with the need to call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) was reported. The VSC has now provided the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) with more details regarding the new procedure:

• The NCSC accepts expedite requests, under the procedures discussed in our earlier article. The NCSC decides if the requests meet the limited expedite criteria and, if so, electronically sends these requests to the VSC.

• Once the VSC receives a request, the final decision is made as to whether expedited treatment is appropriate. The NCSC will accept any request that meets at least one of the published criterion. The decision-making process and individuals involved in that process at VSC have not changed.

• Decisions on expedite requests will be made within eight to ten business days. The final decision will be communicated either via eMail or regular mail. 

• The VSC will strive to initiate requests within five business days for additional information in support of the expedite requests. This will be done by telephone, eMail or regular letter. Therefore, persons making expedite requests should provide all contact information. If more documentation is needed by the VSC, it can be submitted via fax, eMail, or regular mail.