Oct 18, 2024
Over the past few decades, the U.S. federal government has invested in technology to improve the immigration process. Despite these efforts, the journey towards modernization has faced many challenges.
In 2005, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) started a project to digitize the nation’s immigration system and move away from the old, paper-based process of mailing forms to service centers and offices. Named ELIS in honor of Ellis Island, this project aimed to modernize how immigration records and applications are managed. With an initial budget of $500 million and a missed goal of completion by 2013, the project has already cost $1 billion.
USCIS has since introduced an electronic system for the H-1B cap-lottery registration, which received over 483,927 registrations in 2023. However, 19 years later, only 19 out of 90+ forms are available online.
So, why undertake the complex task of digitizing the immigration process in the first place?
Digitizing the immigration process offers both USCIS and immigration lawyers a few major benefits. First, as an agency that relies on fees from applications and services, moving to digital solutions can help improve USCIS’s financial stability and make processing more efficient. Second, a digital system could greatly reduce the backlog of over one million cases in the immigration court system, making operations smoother and case management more effective.
Lastly, an online system for filing immigration forms saves time and helps immigration lawyers stay organized and follow regulations, allowing them to provide better service to their clients.
Fortunately, the federal government has several tech tools to support the immigration process. In this article, we’ll look at three important portals—MyUSCIS, FLAG, and CBPOne—and highlight their main features, along with how to get tech support for each one.
Three key platforms are essential to different parts of the immigration process: MyUSCIS from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FLAG from the Department of Labor (DOL), and CBPOne from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Each of these portals has a specific purpose, making them valuable tools for applicants, legal professionals, and other stakeholders. Let’s explore what each platform offers.
MyUSCIS is an online portal from USCIS. It was designed to make immigration services more accessible by allowing users to manage their entire process online. Through MyUSCIS, you can apply for benefits, track your case status, get personalized advice, and find detailed information about the immigration process. The portal is designed to be straightforward, so you don't need any advanced technical skills to use it.
The Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) is an important online platform from the Department of Labor (DOL) designed to handle labor certification applications. It is essential for employers submitting applications like the ETA-9035 for H-1B visas or the ETA-9089 for PERM labor certifications. FLAG simplifies the filing process by allowing users to track the status of their applications and view DOL decisions in real-time. For employers and legal professionals dealing with labor regulations in the immigration process, FLAG is a valuable tool for maintaining compliance and ensuring efficiency.
CBPOne is a mobile app created by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to simplify access to various CBP services. It serves as a one-stop portal where users can schedule appointments at ports of entry, manage their I-94 Arrival/Departure Records, and help asylum seekers navigate the application process for protection at the border.
These three online portals are examples of how the federal government is working to digitize the immigration process. USCIS still relies heavily on paper-based procedures. Moving entirely to a digital system could help save resources and increase revenue for the agency, which could also help reduce the large case backlogs that have been a problem for years.
These portals are essential for the immigration process, but it’s also important for law firms to have their own technology to manage cases and communicate with clients. If you’re a smaller or new firm, getting a case management tool should be a priority to keep your practice running smoothly and stay competitive in today’s digital world.
As a dedicated immigration case management, immigration forms management, and CRM platform tailored to the diverse needs of immigration law firms of all sizes and practice areas, Docketwise gives attorneys the tools they need to deliver best-in-class services.
If you’re new to Docketwise and would like to try and see if it’s a good fit for your firm, schedule a demo on our website today.
And check-out the official Docketwise podcast, "Immigration Uncovered," and don't forget to subscribe to "Immigration Insights," a quick five-minute newsletter that keeps thousands of immigration lawyers informed and up-to-date!
