FYI -- INFOPASS pilot program
FYI --
http://immigration.about.com/b/a/2004_04_25.htm
By Jaime S. Jordon / Associated Press Writer
DALLAS (AP) -- An online service starting Wednesday will help immigrants work their way through a backlog at the immigration office and dramatically reduce the time it takes to get residency status, officials with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said.
The online program, INFOPASS, will allow customers to schedule appointments with immigration officers. An accompanying pilot program will enable qualified applicants to receive their permanent resident card within 90 days of filing their applications.
"People need to understand they don't need to come here and get in line for our information services anymore," said Jeffrey Sapko, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services program manager.
The Dallas pilot program allows customers filing either a petition for alien relative application or an application for permanent residence or adjustment of status to be processed within 90 days of filing, said Angela Barrows, USCIS district director. Applicants would have to wait far longer under the previous system.
"If our pilot's successful, we can say goodbye to backlog," Barrows said. "No more waiting six months, nine months, a year for your adjustment status. If your package is complete, you'd have your interview the same day."
She said the Dallas agency already has been reducing backlog by about 30 percent a month. By September, the agency expects to have processed all applications made through the regular system through April. The pilot program also can work for some other applicant forms, such as a diversity lottery winner or widower, she said.
They will begin interviewing customers who register through INFOPASS on May 3.
The INFOPASS service is in English, Spanish and Haitian/Creole, because of its Florida roots, Sapko said. INFOPASS already is in use in Miami.
The agency plans to add more languages. Sapko said the agency will be placing kiosk with Internet access in its offices, so customers without Internet access will be able to make the online appointments.
Barrows said the agency is not worried about the new process affecting national security.
"Nothing will be approved without all the security checks," Barrows said. "The interview is on day one. Day two through day 90 is dedicated solely for background checks. If you are a threat to the national security of this country, you do not qualify for residency here."
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On the Net:
www.uscis.gov
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APTV-04-21-04 1454CDT
