Dear Editor:
As citizens of the United States, we sometimes find it necessary to deal with some form of governmental bureaucracy. People often complain about issues of efficiency or the lack thereof. However, as Americans, one agency which we will likely never confront is the Department of Immigration. The I.N.S. is an agency of the Department of Homeland Security since the inception of that newly created system of oversight.
I as a citizen would like to think that this agency is one which might operate with efficiency. After hearing about the current experience of an acquaintance, I am not very certain about the ability of the I.N.S. to perform the task in an efficient manner.
An individual I know recently had to change the name on her Permanent Resident Alien Card from her maiden name to her married name. She had never taken the time to do so in the past and now found herself in a situation which she was not able to obtain a new job simply because her name on her Social Security card did not match the name on her alien card. It seems that she had already updated her Social Security card with the married name.
The story of the inefficiency of the I.N.S. only begins at the point at which she filed the correct paperwork to update the information. To begin with, she was required to drive four hours away from her home when she could have traveled less than half the distance. But since the system is established in districts, she was not eligible to go to the closest I.N.S. office. That by itself is a problem which should be addressed.
The main issue comes in the form of a notice from I.NS. in which she was told that the information is being processed and that if the approval is granted, she should receive the new card in 365 to 455 days. How is it possible that it should take the I.N.S. 12 to 15 months to simply change a name on a card? Is this a case of government in action or government inaction? And since she is already a permanent resident she is already approved. The only thing which they have not approved is her marriage, and unless the Department of Homeland Security is taking over the job of God Almighty, the issue of her marriage has also already been approved.
Joe American