"The four document processing centers are operated under a $325 million contract with JHM Research and Development of Maryland, which in turn subcontracts the operations to two other companies. "

I never realized that the I.N.S. subcontracted this work with private companies. But that answers how a 24-year-old was given that responsibility. To keep costs down you hire a lot of inexpensive labor.

SF author David Weber (Honor Harrington) had a couple of years' worth of trouble with the INS, trying to adopt a couple of Cambodian orphans. There was an incredible amount of bureaucratic screw-up involved, and even with the aid of his congressman it took a couple of years for the permission to come through. See http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dimension/8938/ for details. In the mean while, Angelina Jolie waltzes in, throws some money around, and takes one home with her without a hassle.

Bingo.

Going back to that recent ugly argument we had on these boards, I think this backs up my assertation that the problems with the INS have more to do with underfunding and buffoonery than racism or Evil.

working at the ins is probably not the most desired job in the world so they take what they can get.

what makes me ill is how fucked up the ins is. shredding documents to reduce workload, giving student visas to some of the 9/11 highjackers months after the attacks. everyone i've met that have immigrated to the u.s. has told me horror stories of their experience with trying to deal with the ins. it makes the dmv look like a holiday in the sun.

The manager, Dawn Randall is female, not male as described, and only 24 years old! How does someone that young get to work in management already?