U.S. Government Lagging on Digitization of Immigration Forms

In this digital age, one would think immigration forms would be online and the data generated by them easily accessible by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and law enforcement officials.  The U.S. government has been working on digitizing forms in order to streamline the application process, but as of this writing, only one form has been completed.  The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services was supposed to complete this project in 2013, but, with the delay, it is now expected to take an additional four years.  The cost of this project is now estimated to be approximately $3.1 billion.

Due to difficulty for immigrants to navigate and find specific forms on the website, INS sought to improve and streamline the process by putting resources into a digital format.  Currently, forms other than the I-90 are left in the dinosaur-age by only being available in a paper format.  It is not only difficult for applicants to find the right form, but extremely challenging for them to determine their eligibility for non-immigrant visas, immigrant visas, and extensions.  Therefore, it is important to consult with an immigration attorney who can help guide you through the process.

In this modern age of technology, it is surprising that the U.S.’ immigration forms are still paper based.  A skilled immigration attorney can help you maneuver through various paper applications and track their progress.  If you are seeking help on immigration matters, call the experienced attorneys at Bretz & Coven, LLP at (212) 267-2555.