USCIS Memo Rescinds 180 Day FBI Name Check Policy

 This USCIS memo by Donald Neufeld supersedes the 02/04/08 Aytes memo that had authorized approvals of adjustment of status applications whose FBI name check had been pending for more than 180 days.

Citing "FBI's improved processing and response times," this memo rescinds the prior policy, and as of February 9, 2009, requires adjudicators to obtain HQ authorization before approving I-485s prior to receiving FBI name check results, even if the name check has been pending for more than 180 days.