On 20 March 2008, USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez issued a statement in the Department of Homeland Security Leadership Journal regarding the New York Times Opinion piece "Citizenship, Thwarted." Director Gonzalez stated that: "I feel compelled to set the record straight for 17,000 employees who work late nights and weekends to welcome lawful immigrants into our society. I will not stand idly by as the New York Times insults the dedicated and professional services they provide." According to Director Gonzalez, "USCIS received more than 600,000 applications for citizenship in June and July of 2007 - a 350 percent increase from the same time the year before." All applications received during June and July 2007 have been opened, issued receipt notices, and entered into the processing queue. Director Gonzalez also emphasized the increased efforts by USCIS to process the Applications and stated that nearly 750,000 applications have already been processed in record time.

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