Letter to Dan Tangherlini, Administrator of the United States General Services Administration, and Lori Scialabba, Acting Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - USCIS Field Office Location

Letter

Dear Administrator Tangherlini and Acting Director Scialabba:

We write to you with ongoing concerns about the planned relocation of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) District Office in Bloomington, Minnesota. With important questions still outstanding, we urge you to halt the current plans for relocation and to explore alternative locations that include adequate public transportation options.

It is essential that the USCIS field office has public transportation that runs frequently and regularly throughout the normal operation of business hours of this facility. In a meeting held on May 1 with USCIS and General Services Administration (GSA) staff, local stakeholders conveyed significant concerns about the plan for relocation and how it would impact those who rely on USCIS' services. The proposed location is not accessible by public transportation, which would pose a significant barrier for the immigrants and refugees who must visit the USCIS field office in person.

Following the stakeholder meeting earlier this month, we request your response to the following outstanding questions:

· In light of GSA's error during the leasing process, has GSA subsequently conducted a comprehensive review to identify alternative locations that include adequate public transportation options?

· Would combining the offices that U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) is vacating with USCIS' current offices be sufficient to meet the space requirements specified by USCIS?

· What are the costs associated with terminating the lease for the building located at 9360 Ensign Avenue? Please provide a minimum and maximum estimate.

· Would another federal agency be able to utilize the 9360 Ensign Avenue location?

We request this information by Friday, June 13. Thank you for your consideration.