India Post News Service

NEW YORK: After 55 months of public service as the Department of Homeland Security's first Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman, Prakash Khatri recently informed Secretary Chertoff of his intention to resign effective March 1.

Khatri said in a statement that he felt privileged to have served in this position and commended the Congress for creating this important, independent office to assist individuals and employers with their difficulties with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Announcing Khatri's resignation, Secretary Chertoff stated: "…As the nation's first [CIS] Ombudsman, Prakash devoted his energy and talent to streamlining the process by which we provide important immigration services and benefits to individuals and employers ranging from citizenship, lawful permanent residency, employment authorization, adoptions, asylum and refugee status, and foreign student authorization.

Since his appointment in July 2003, the department has relied on Prakash's executive leadership and vision as he produced more than 70 formal recommendations and numerous informal recommendations to improve the nation's immigration benefits process. I thank Prakash for his advice and sound analysis on numerous immigration reform initiatives and wish him well in the future." Khatri said after his resignation that he would return to the private sector.

"I depart with the knowledge that under the leadership of Secretaries Chertoff and Ridge as well as advice and suggestions from community leaders, lawyers, and thousands of USCIS employees, we produced a wide range of recommendations impacting customer service, operational efficiency and national security for USCIS as mandated by the Homeland Security Act of 2002." Khatri further added: "We leave behind four annual reports to Congress and seventy three (73) formal recommendations on improving USCIS operations that I delivered to the Department and Congress during my tenure.

There are several that continue to merit focused attention, including: (1) pre-application security checks; (2) up-front processing of applications; (3) creation of a trust fund to enable USCIS to borrow money to implement much needed efficient processes without the negative consequences of short-term financial deficiencies; (4) risk-based solution to the FBI name check crisis; and (5) accurate and transparent reporting of USCIS statistics and processing times."

"As a naturalized citizen, an immigration attorney, and one who cherishes the freedom and liberty of our great Nation, I leave with a deep appreciation for the phenomenal work that the men and women of the Department - and in particular, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services - perform each day in providing benefits while protecting our Nation," he said. "Again, I am honored to have had this wonderful opportunity to serve with them, and I am proud to have contributed to the furtherance of homeland security."