Joe, do you know if they will transfer the closed cases (such as N-400) to this person-centric new database? If so, do you think it will speed up the N-565 process time? Currently, replacing lost or damaged certificates takes unreasonably long time. If the individual's e-record can be accessed immediately and the new certificate can be ordered electronically in a similar fashion, I wonder how the USCIS will justify long processing times in the future.
Probably not. Data migration can be tricky on a small scale and they would be dealing with HUGE volumes. USCIS gets around six million petitions and applications per year these days and they (and past incarnations) have been around a LONG LONG time. They have billions of records....
As for the N-565s, they will be adjudicated faster for a variety of reasons. They are switching to Lockbox filing, dedicated contract clerks with very limited functions will not be bogged down with having to think about the case in front of them. They will do data entry, order the file and send it to an adjudicator. As long as the form is signed and the check clears, the cases will progress much faster.
They are starting the electronic environment with case types at the beginning of the immigration odyssey. They are staring with nonimmigrant cases. Consider what is e-filed now. These things will likely migrate.
SEE:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=9059d9808bcbd010VgnVCM100000d1f1d6a1RCRD
Forms Currently Available for E-Filing
The forms below are currently available for e-filing, with some restrictions. For more on restrictions, see the "Instructions" links to the right.
I-90 - Application to Replace Permanent Residence Card
I-131 - Application for Travel Document
I-140 - Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
I-539 - Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
I-765 - Application for Employment Authorization (Please note that the option to file Form I-765 electronically for the eligibility category [c][3]
has been disabled. The option to file Form I-765 for the eligibility codes [c][3][ii] and [c][3][iii] remains in effect.)
I-821 - Application for Temporary Protected Status (This form will be available for e-Filing only if a TPS country is designated for re-registration purposes per the Federal Register Notice. For the latest information on TPS, please visit the Temporary Protected Status page.)
Years ago, I called this the "Big Brother" System, comparing it to the George Orwell concept in the book 1984. (Trivia: It was written in 1948, he just transposed the last two numbers.)