Hotel Owners Sue INS Over Delayed Visas

A group of Michigan hotel owners is suing the Immigration and Naturalization Service, saying more rigorous visa screening since Sept. 11 has kept them from getting the extra summer workers they need.

The group filed its suit in U.S. District Court in Detroit after the average waiting time for the INS to process temporary visa requests rose from a range of 10 to 14 days before Sept. 11 to a current average of 60 to 65 days, making it difficult to meet hiring deadlines.