August 31, 2004

People who spend hours waiting in immigration lines to replace their green cards or get a work permit may be getting a break.

The agency previously known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) is rolling out a new program in which applicants can make appointments online for a variety of services.

The Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) has been operating InfoPass for several weeks but will publicly unveil the program in Seattle on Monday. Similar unveilings are planned for Yakima and Spokane later in the week.

"Some people take off an entire day standing in line. This will be much handier for people, no doubt about it," said Sharon Rummery, agency spokeswoman.

Rummery said CIS has eight applications that people can file online rather than in person. The agency also has a customer-service telephone line that's available in English and Spanish — 800-375-5283.

"We're looking to serve the customer better, to make it easier for them to deal with us," she said.

More than half of the 260 people a day who visit the citizenship and immigration bureau offices in downtown Seattle have general questions about immigration issues — about the kinds of forms to fill out or whether they qualify for one type of visa or another, Rummery said.

The next-largest group shows up to replace lost or expired green cards, while others have employment-related matters or are checking the status of their cases.

Instead of waiting in line to be helped, they now can make appointments two weeks in advance and show up at the designated time. The online service is available in 12 languages.

Seattle immigration attorney Steve Miller said reports have been positive from other cities where the program is operating. The Web site is infopass.uscis.gov/

Source - http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/