Grassley Questions Immigration Service's Initiative to Modernize Existing Technology

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley yesterday sent a letter to Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Alejandro Mayorkas requesting an update on the "Transformation" initiative, a project that was intended to modernize and upgrade existing technology.

Grassley's letter cited a news story that reported the project thus far has a $630 million price tag with little progress on completion.  Grassley also wrote to Mayorkas about reports that indicate the upgrades won't be complete until 2022 and at a cost of $2.2 billion.

"It's quite clear that technology upgrades are not a strong suit of the federal government.  Time and time again, this has been a problem for federal agencies," Grassley said.  "These agencies and contractors need to be held accountable for their use of taxpayer money, especially when there's little or nothing to show for it."

Grassley is familiar with cost overruns and missed deadlines with the federal government's attempts at technology upgrades.  For years he's conducted oversight of the long-hampered computer system modernization issues at the FBI and the IRS.

Here is a copy of the text of Grassley's letter to Mayorkas.

February 16, 2011

Via Electronic Transmission

The Honorable Alejandro N. Mayorkas

Director

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

20 Massachusetts Avenue

Washington, DC 20529

Dear Director Mayorkas:

I'm writing to express concern about the failures encountered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) "Transformation" initiative.  This initiative was meant to modernize and upgrade existing technology in order to achieve operational efficiency.

According to one news report, over $630 million has been spent on the Transformation program, and the projected completion has been pushed back by almost a decade.  The Department of Homeland Security originally scheduled this project to be completed in 2013, but reportedly, USCIS will not complete the task until 2022 at a cost of $2.2 billion dollars.  That's a $1.664 billion increase over the original planned cost of $536 million.

I'm concerned that very few improvements have been made since the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported to Congress in 2007 about the Transformation initiative.  The GAO and the Inspector General have noted that "efforts to modernize...have been unfocused, conducted in an ad hoc and decentralized manner, and in certain instances, duplicative."

In order to gain a complete understanding of the problems inhibiting the USCIS Transformation project, please make the appropriate USCIS officials available to brief members of my staff no later than February 28, 2011.  I look forward to your response to the above mentioned request no later than February 22, 2011.  If you have any questions on this matter, please call (202) 224-5225.  All written responses should be sent in electronic format.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley

United States Senator

CHICAGO, Feb. 17, 2011 -- Today, the Chicago Plan Commission approved a major Lakefront Trail project commonly known as the Navy Pier Flyover. The Active Transportation Alliance said the cutting edge bridge design will create safer conditions and provide congestion relief for cyclists, pedestrians and other trail users on the trail near Navy Pier.

"We're so pleased with the Chicago Plan Commission's approval of the Navy Pier Flyover, and we applaud the Chicago Department of Transportation for their hard work creating a project that will improve transportation choices for Chicagoans," says Ron Burke, executive director at the Active Transportation Alliance.

Thousands of Chicagoans use the Lakefront Trail daily for commuting, recreation and accessing neighborhood services. Serving as a critical piece of Chicago's infrastructure and a centerpiece for the Chicago Park District, the trail's peak daily usage reaches up to 30,000 at its busiest points. "The Lakefront Trail is important to Chicago's residents and visitors for transportation, recreation and exercise," says Burke. "It serves as a link between our parks, beaches, neighborhoods, downtown and tourist attractions."

The Navy Pier Flyover project will address a confusing and dangerous stretch of the Lakefront Trail starting just north of Navy Pier south to where the trail is forced onto a tight sidewalk over the Chicago River. Current conditions on the trail include blind corners, narrow right-of-ways and traffic conflicts that severely limit trail traffic and create an often hazardous experience for pedestrians, motor vehicles, bicyclists and other trail users. The Navy Pier Flyover will address those problems, improving trail capacity and making this area safer for all users.

Active Trans has been involved in this project since the initial project meetings 10 years ago. The organization has worked with the city to provide input on the project concept and design, participated in public meetings with our members and worked to resolve concerns from nearby residents about the project.

"The city's thorough process has resulted in a strong project plan worthy of the Chicago Plan Commission's approval today," said Burke. "With funding for two of three phases of the project in place, we look forward to seeing construction start next year, but we will continue to advocate for funding to complete this important project."

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance is North America's largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by nearly 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 40 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

Put on your boots and come discover a unique style of learning! Rivermont Collegiate will host Kindergarten Round-up Thursday, February 24th from 11:30 -1:00pm.  Families are invited to have lunch and conversation with Kindergarten Teacher Cindy Corrigan about what to expect when your student transitions to Kindergarten. This informal setting is the perfect opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the Rivermont philosophy as well as obtain proper immunization and dental forms which are required for every student enrolling in an Iowa Kindergarten program.  Interested families may also browse the Rivermont campus (home to the historic Joseph Bettendorf Mansion) with Cindy Murray, Director of Admissions, who will be on hand for individual discussions.

Rivermont Collegiate provides an academically rigorous yet nurturing environment, where students develop skills and attitudes that provide the foundation for future learning.  Our gifted faculty provides students with the tools and desire to pursue knowledge independently, take intellectual and artistic risks, and enthusiastically meet the challenges of the 21st century.  Rivermont Collegiate is located at 1821 Sunset Drive in Bettendorf, Iowa.  This event is free and open to the public.  Come explore our approach!

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate or Thursday's Kindergarten Round-up, contact Cindy Murray at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org.

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. (February 17, 2011) - Local nonprofit organizations are participating in a unique fundraising opportunity with their local Bergner's, Bon-Ton, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's, Younkers and Parisian stores.  Everyone can take advantage of the saving and at the same time supporting their community by buying a $5 coupon booklet from a participating organization or at the store on Saturday, February 26, 2011. Stores open early at 7 am providing an opportunity for local 501C3 organizations, schools and churches to sell booklets at the store to earn funding needed to support their mission.

Groups selling the booklets keep 100% of the $5 price.  Each booklet contains special savings coupons valid on regular and sale price merchandise on Community Day.  Last February, this event helped non-profits raise nearly $4 million.

Organizations will continue selling booklets through Saturday, February 26.  For a $5 donation, purchasers get a $10 off coupon, valid on an item of $10 or more, a 30% off early bird coupon that is valid until 10 a.m., a 20% off shopping pass to use over and over on almost everything in the store, plus special bonus items.

"We encourage the community to support their local participating groups on Community Day." stated Bud Bergren, president and chief executive officer for The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., "We have made it easy by giving customers shopping discounts including a $10 coupon for every $5 donated.  Our customers and community partners find great value in this fundraising event."

Customers do not need to purchase a booklet to shop on Community Day.  Hundreds of door buster items will be available from 7am-1pm as well as other great offers throughout the store.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. operates 275 stores, including 11 furniture galleries, in 23 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers nameplates and, under the Parisian nameplate, stores in the Detroit, Michigan area. The stores offer a broad assortment of brand-name fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings. The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc is an active and positive participant in the communities that it serves. The Community Day Event is a long standing charitable partnership the Company developed to support and build strong communities.

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