1. (a) Authority of the Attorney General The Attorney General shall take such measures as may be necessary to—

   1. (1) reduce the backlog in the processing of immigration benefit applications, with the objective of the total elimination of the backlog 1 year after November 25, 2002;
   2. (2) make such other improvements in the processing of immigration benefit applications as may be necessary to ensure that a backlog does not develop after such date; and
   3. (3) make such improvements in infrastructure as may be necessary to effectively provide immigration services.

2. (b) Authorization of appropriations

   1. (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Justice from time to time such sums as may be necessary for the Attorney General to carry out subsection (a).
   2. (2) Designation of account in treasury Amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) may be referred to as the “Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements Account”.
   3. (3) Availability of funds Amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) are authorized to remain available until expended.
   4. (4) Limitation on expenditures None of the funds appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) may be expended until the report described in section 1574(a) of this title has been submitted to Congress.

(Pub. L. 106–313, title II, § 204, Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1263; Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 458, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2201.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2002—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted “1 year after November 25, 2002;” for “not later than one year after October 17, 2000;”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective 60 days after Nov. 25, 2002, see section 4 of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as an Effective Date note under section 101 of Title 6, Domestic Security.

Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions

For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under section 1551 of this title.