On March 29, 2019, the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) will end self-scheduled appointments to meet with an immigration officer. These appointments, known as InfoPass appointments, will now be scheduled by USCIS pursuant to the agency’s Information Service Modernization Program.
The Information Services Modernization Program requires applicants seeking information or assistance with their cases to use USCIS online resources to check case statuses through the USCIS Contact Center. Applicants may use the online live chat tool known as “Emma” to access information and may submit online requests for information.
Emergency services and other services that can only be provided in person will be addressed through a tier of Information Specialists available by phone. Emergency advanced parole, extension stamps for conditional residents and court approved asylee petitions, will now require contacting USCIS by phone. Information Specialists will escalate any emergency calls for immediate scheduling of an InfoPass appointment at the Philadelphia Field Office. USCIS has assured practitioners and applicants an expected response for emergency requests to be less than twenty-four hours.
The recent Information Modernization Program changes have been positive overall. The USCIS website is more streamline and user-friendly than in the past. Applicants are now able to log-in quickly and learn basic information about a case. And, the process provides an option for applicants who lack access to the internet—namely the call center.
If you need assistance with your immigration case, please contact Green & Spiegel, LLC directly at (215) 395-8959.
