Dear Mr Ehsan,

Re: Legacy Casework Queries

Thank you for your email, received on 05 November 2008. In that email you requested information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 about the work of the UK Border Agency to clear the backlog of asylum cases. I will answer your queries in turn.

1. Recently I found that my case is legacy and team Liverpool2 is dealing with my case. I called them to find out about my case but have not been given any clear answer by them. We are here nearly 5 years and we have a little girl. We are under NASS support (section 4) and as I found most people like my situation received questionnaire to complete it but we have not received.

In some circumstances we send applicants a questionnaire to fill out. The purpose of the questionnaire is to make contact again with those we have lost touch with and in those cases establish the current circumstances so that the right decision can be made on their case. Given the questionnaire's purpose we will not send a questionnaire in all circumstances. For example, if we are in touch with the individual or have been recently and we already have sufficient information to consider the case.

If a questionnaire is not issued, depending on the circumstances, we will either go on to consider the case based on the information given or else contact the individual in a different way, asking to confirm their contact details and if necessary provide specific information, for example photographs.

Cases will be dealt with in accordance with the 4 priorities that have been highlighted below.

We are prioritising cases involving individuals who:

We are on track to clear the backlog of older cases, including any applications for further leave to remain, by summer 2011. As the backlog contains a huge variety of cases, including errors and duplicates, the time taken to conclude a case will vary greatly, depending on its case type.

If you are dissatisfied with this response you may request an independent internal review within 2 months regarding our handling of your request by submitting your complaint to:

Head of Information Access Team

11th Floor, Short Corridor

Lunar House

Wellesley Road

Croydon

CR9 2BY

During the independent review the department's handling of your information request will be reassessed by staffs who were not involved in providing you with this response. Should you remain dissatisfied after this internal review, you will have a right of complaint to the Information Commissioner as established by section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act.

Yours Sincerely

P. Edwards

Case Resolution Directorate