Paul Stern - Blog: Think Immigration

End-of-Year Reflection on the State Department’s FY23 Visa Processing Achievements and What Needs to Be Done Next

Posted by Paul Stern | Dec 5, 2023 | Admissions & Border, Business Immigration, Family Immigration

AILA Senior Policy Associate Paul Stern shares an end-of-year reflection on how the State Department’s visa processing went in Fiscal Year 2023, and lays out the work that remains, including how Congress can help address the delays and backlogs permanently.

Information Overload: A Ride Aboard the USCIS Processing Times Roller Coaster

Posted by Paul Stern | Oct 4, 2023 | Immigration, General, Naturalization & Citizenship

AILA Policy Associate Paul Stern describes the rollercoaster clients and attorneys find themselves on as they try to determine where their application stands given crisis-level delays and backlogs at USCIS.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Digging into the Ombudsman’s Take on the USCIS Backlog

Posted by Paul Stern | Jul 12, 2023 | Asylum & Protection, Business Immigration, Family Immigration

AILA’s Paul Stern digs into the recently released USCIS Ombudsman’s Report which highlights continued backlogs and processing delays, urging readers to take action to help “ensure the agency has the resources needed to chart a course forward where progress is not just a promise, but a reality.”

With More Funding Must Come More Accountability

Posted by Paul Stern | Dec 12, 2022 | Business Immigration, Family Immigration, Immigration Reform, Immigration, General

AILA Policy Associate Paul Stern writes why Congress must provide greater funding and accountability for USCIS to continue addressing its backlogs and processing delays.

“Thank You, Next”: What the State Department Needs to Do Since Travel Bans Are Being Rescinded

Posted by Paul Stern | Sep 30, 2021 | Admissions & Border, Business Immigration, Family Immigration

AILA Policy Associate Paul Stern welcomes the rescission of the regional travel bans that will take effect in November but urges additional changes recommended by AILA because “The Department of State faces an uphill battle to overcome the significant delays and backlog created by the pandemic.”