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Dear [Representative or Senator]: [ADD ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION HERE] I am writing to encourage you to support the resumption of I-140 Premium Processing Service by U.S. Citizenship and Services (USCIS). The I-140 Premium Processing Service allows aliens filing employment-based immigration petitions to pay an extra $1,000 fee to have their applications processed within 15 calendar days. This service was suspended in July 2007, based on an anticipated surge in immigration petitions, and has not since been resumed. The I-140 Premium Processing Service used to be available to certain categories of employment-based immigration petitions. Most notably, it was available for EB-1(a), aliens with extraordinary ability; EB-1(b), outstanding professors and researchers; and EB-2, aliens with advanced degrees or exceptional ability. Aliens filing petitions in these categories represent the best and the brightest in their professions, and thus contribute substantially to the U.S. economy. Considering the slow economic growth we have seen recently, I believe it is crucial for our economic health that we retain these exceptional aliens in our country. The Premium Processing Service facilitates a more convenient and less time-consuming process for these highly skilled individuals. Furthermore, the Premium Processing Service is advantageous for many aliens on an individual level. Aliens who file green-card applications can receive authorization to work in the United States while they wait for their results. The Premium Processing Service gets them the results of their immigration petitions faster, making it easier for them to file green-card applications and obtain employment authorization. Given the current strict H-1B quota, which has prevented many aliens from obtaining H-1B visas, this option would be particularly attractive for many aliens who had hoped to work under H-1B visas. The Premium Processing Service also demonstrates the effort of USCIS to help immigrants. USCIS has been dedicated to improving its efficiency and quality of service. For example, USCIS recently announced that they will shorten the delays in the green-card application process caused by FBI background checks. As a federal agency, USCIS also stands to improve the image of the American government in the eyes of new immigrants by resuming the Premium Processing Service. Finally, the resumption of the Premium Processing Service would be financially beneficial to the U.S. government. The fee for the service is $1,000 per petition, and there is little doubt that many aliens would use it if it were available. It has been nine months since USCIS suspended the premium service for I-140 petitions. The suspension was understandable in the summer of 2007, when USCIS received an overwhelming number of immigration petitions. Now, USCIS should have the capacity to resume the Premium Processing Service for I-140 petitions. Therefore, I ask that you encourage USCIS to resume the Premium Processing Service for I-140 petitions. Thank you very much for your time and understanding. Sincerely, [Name}
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