ssified, in accordance
with chapter 51 of title 5, United States Code,
as a GS-14 or above, shall--
(i) gain some experience in all the
major functions performed by such
bureau; and
(ii) work in at least one field
office and one service center of such
bureau.
(B) Report.--Not later than 2 years after
the effective date specified in section 455,
the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress
on the implementation of such program.
(5) Pilot initiatives for backlog elimination.--The
Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration
Services is authorized to implement innovative pilot
initiatives to eliminate any remaining backlog in the
processing of immigration benefit applications, and to
prevent any backlog in the processing of such
applications from recurring, in accordance with section
204(a) of the Immigration Services and Infrastructure
Improvements Act of 2000 (8 U.S.C. 1573(a)). Such
initiatives may include measures such as increasing
personnel, transferring personnel to focus on areas
with the largest potential for backlog, and
streamlining paperwork.
(b) Transfer of Functions From Commissioner.--In accordance
with title XV (relating to transition provisions), there are
transferred from the Commissioner of Immigration and
Naturalization to the Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and
Immigration Services the following functions, and all
personnel, infrastructure, and funding provided to the
Commissioner in support of such functions immediately before
the effective date specified in section 455:
(1) Adjudications of immigrant visa petitions.
(2) Adjudications of naturalization petitions.
(3) Adjudications of asylum and refugee
applications.
(4) Adjudications performed at service centers.
(5) All other adjudications performed by the
Immigration and Naturalization Service immediately
before the effective date specified in section 455.
(c) Chief of Policy and Strategy.--
(1) In general.--There shall be a position of Chief
of Policy and Strat