On October 27^th, Leon Rodriguez, Director of the United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS), testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee in the Middle East and North Africa regarding the humanitarian crisis in Syria. According to the immigration attorneys at Berd & Klauss, PLLC in New York, Mr. Rodriguez explained how the government is balancing its responsibility toward helping people seeking asylum with the crucial task of ensuring national security.

Mr. Rodriguez explained the USCIS's role in the refugee resettlement program, as well as the screening safeguards. Safeguards, including the current population of Syrian refugees, are applied to applicants from any nation. This program is administered in partnership with the State Department, which is responsible for the overall administration of the program. This continuously expanding program is now equipped to process applications much more quickly and efficiently.

Despite the increased volume of refugee applications, the USCIS maintains its strict focus on performing thorough background checks for each applicant. In his written testimony, Mr. Rodriguez described the three security checks to which every refugee admitted into the United States is subjected. This includes prescreening, biographic checks, and consultations with law enforcement experts in special cases. When certain situations meet special criteria, they interact with local law enforcement to alert them of potential threats.

If you need legal services in New York, the immigration law specialists at Berd & Klauss, PLLC have the experience and reputation of excellence you need. To learn more about their immigration attorneys and other information, visit their website, or call (212) 461-7152 to schedule a consultation today.