News

Internet zaps long lines at immigration offices

May 3, 2004

Los Angeles--The tedious hours-long wait outside the downtown Los Angeles federal immigration office to process paperwork has been greatly diminished by a new Internet scheduling system, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Customers seeking information can now use a system called InfoPass to schedule a date and time to meet with an immigration officer, avoiding the need to queue up for hours in the hopes of being seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

Before the system, immigrants would sometimes arrive at 6 p.m. the evening before and camp out until the offices opened at 6.15 a.m. the next day, said Jane Arellano, district director for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Los Angeles. They noted that about 1,300 people would usually be in line by 6 a.m., but due to the overwhelming demand, some customers were turned away.

"It was awful," said Carlos Oyanguren, 65, a native of Peru, who recalled having to wait in line outside the Federal Building on Los Angeles Street as early as 3 in the morning in order to deal with immigration matters in the past. "It was cold."

 Now customers are requested to arrive about 15 minutes before their appointment and can be finished with business within an hour.

No special software is necessary to use the InfoPass system. Immigrants only need a computer with a browser and Internet access. Once they log on to the website at uscis.gov and type in their ZIP Code, users are directed to the appropriate office. The system generates an electronic appointment notice after a time has been selected.

Those without access to the Internet can make appointments at Internet kiosks located at designated immigration offices.

Oyanguren and his wife, Laura, were among several customers who recently turned up to schedule an appointment using one of four Internet kiosks inside a newly spruced-up foyer in the Federal Building. They praised the efficiency of the InfoPass system and lauded the fact that they didn't have to wait for hours just to enter the building.

The story states that immigration attorneys and local community leaders agree and say that their clients' experience with the InfoPass, which is already up and running in Miami and Dallas, has so far been positive.

"It's been a tremendous improvement in efficiency and how people are being treated," said Crystal Williams, senior director of liaison and information for the Washington-based American Immigration and Lawyers Assn. "It's a much nicer experience, not to have to stand in line. This is an innovation that we wholeheartedly endorse."