McJimbo

I just read Folinskya's post about possible increases to costs for
processing immigration forms through INS. This whole process could be
improved so easily, and the backlog cleared!



I've done quite alot of thinking about, and I would like to float the
following idea and see what people say.



Why doesn't the U.S. put a large amount of the immigration application
form process online and make most of the process electronic?



I work in e-recruitment, sinces its introduction in the late 90's its
revolutionised the way the industry works, freeing up considerable
amounts of time.



When someone applys to a job online and fills in an application, and
submits there resume as an attachment they can be delt with much faster
and more efficiently.



Alot of what we call pre-screening can be done on their job application
for instance: age, education grades, work experience, whether the
candidate requires a work permit and whether all the questions have been
answered correctly.



This pre-screen saves employers 1000's of hours during the course of a
year, and ensures 99% of the time that the right people get through and
the wrong ones don't.



The U.S. should adopt a similar approach to their immigration system.
Not only would it help to streamline the system and filter people alot
more effectively, but it would also ensure more legible forms as all
text would be entered electronically and could be viewed easily without
trying to figure out someones handwriting.



Costs could be saved across the board, email could be used as opposed to
snail mail....... I mean isn't this the way everything is going? The
future! So why not put the immigration form process online.



There are other pluses, for instance you could check an applicant's
details versus Police (State, FBI, CIA) databases, much faster than
finger prints...



Now I realise there would still have to be some parts that require a
traditional approach, for instance validating a police or birth
certificate. But surely a large part of the process could be completed
online to help speed things up?



Obviously a paper based system would still have to be offered for those
who aren't computer savvy, or have access to a internet connection.



I just think theres a more streamlined way of doing things, and its
obvious the current system isn't effective enough!

Andy Platt

Of course all of these ideas have been proposed, evaluated and some are
being implemented. Do not underestimate the scope of this. Anyone who has
worked in government IT contracts knows just how major they are!

Bottom line: This should be done, probably will be done but don't hold your
breath!

Andy.

Folinskyinla

Originally posted by mcjimbo

    > I just read Folinskya's post about possible increases to costs for
    > processing immigration forms through INS. This whole process could be
    > improved so easily, and the backlog cleared!


    > I've done quite alot of thinking about, and I would like to float the
    > following idea and see what people say.


    > Why doesn't the U.S. put a large amount of the immigration application
    > form process online and make most of the process electronic?


    > I work in e-recruitment, sinces its introduction in the late 90's its
    > revolutionised the way the industry works, freeing up considerable
    > amounts of time.


    > When someone applys to a job online and fills in an application, and
    > submits there resume as an attachment they can be delt with much
    > faster and more efficiently.


    > Alot of what we call pre-screening can be done on their job
    > application for instance: age, education grades, work experience,
    > whether the candidate requires a work permit and whether all the
    > questions have been answered correctly.


    > This pre-screen saves employers 1000's of hours during the course of a
    > year, and ensures 99% of the time that the right people get through
    > and the wrong ones don't.


    > The U.S. should adopt a similar approach to their immigration system.
    > Not only would it help to streamline the system and filter people alot
    > more effectively, but it would also ensure more legible forms as all
    > text would be entered electronically and could be viewed easily
    > without trying to figure out someones handwriting.


    > Costs could be saved across the board, email could be used as opposed
    > to snail mail....... I mean isn't this the way everything is going?
    > The future! So why not put the immigration form process online.


    > There are other pluses, for instance you could check an applicant's
    > details for securiuty versus Police (State, FBI, CIA) databases, much
    > faster than finger prints...


    > Now I realise there would still have to be some parts of the process
    > that require a traditional approach, for instance validating a police
    > or birth certificate. But surely a large part of the process could be
    > completed online to help speed things up?


    > Obviously a paper based system would still have to be offered for
    > those who aren't computer savvy, or have access to a internet
    > connection.


    > I just think theres a more streamlined way of doing things, and its
    > obvious the current system isn't effective enough!



Hi:



USCIS actually has this in the works for the naturalization end of the
shop. Also, last May, they put the I-765 and I-90 application forms on
line for e-filing. The reason for those two particular forms were that
they constituted a MAJORITY of the CIS filings. I assume they were also
pretty "ministerial" in adjudication.



Its happening. Its just taking time.



Also, although this experience is now old, I remember the 1987-8 245A
"Legalization." Congress gave INS six months to set up a massive
program which then had a 1 year application window. Also, there was a
mandated POV towards approval. What amazed me was that the thing
actually worked!



It was a subtle difference, but the government looked at each
application from the viewpoint of "is this application approvabe?"
rather than "is there a reason this application should be denied?"



[There were some glitches which caused a FEW eligible people to be cut
off from filing. This lead to litigation to allow "late" filings. INS
acknowledged THEIR errors, but steadfastly resisted "late" filings --
and the fall-out from that continues to this day. But that is a
different issue].



[Another BTW, the 1986 legislation was to be a two-pronged approach --
"amnesty" coupled with employer sanctions. INS fell down on the second
prong, IMHO].

Buendia

Can you e-file the I-765 (EAD application)? I haven't seen that anyone
in this NG has done that...

c

Hi! I'm actor Troy McClure. You may remember me from such threads as
'Re: Revolutionise the immigration system, make it online!' and
'Buendia: tasty but deadly.'

    >Can you e-file the I-765 (EAD application)? I haven't seen that anyone
    >in this NG has done that...

I did, and many others have too. Worked like a charm. 83 days from
e-filing until the EAD arrived in my mailbox.

Cheers,

Marco

McJimbo

I realise the complexitys of working on IT government contracts, as i've
done a few myself.



There are pitfalls with any system whether it be online or offline, but
I think the pluses of an online far outweigh's the negatives.



I remember when the UK government put tax returns online. The whole site
was yanked down within a week of being released due to security issues.
Users were getting other people's details in there application forms.



But the system is now backup and working and no doubt saving 10,000's of
men hours.



Plus they always give incentives to using online systems, for instance
pay your bill online and save £5 a month or whatever. This sort of
approach generally gets people to adopt the system alot quicker. But in
the case of U.S. immigration i'm sure everyone would jump on the band
wagon if they knew that filling a form out online would ensure a quicker
application process.



Well thats just my 2 cents

Folinskyinla

Originally posted by mcjimbo

    > I realise the complexitys of working on IT government contracts, as
    > i've done a few myself.


    > There are pitfalls with any system whether it be online or offline,
    > but I think the pluses of an online far outweigh's the negatives.


    > I remember when the UK government put tax returns online. The whole
    > site was yanked down within a week of being released due to security
    > issues. Users were getting other people's details in there
    > application forms.


    > But the system is now backup and working and no doubt saving 10,000's
    > of men hours.


    > Plus they always give incentives to using online systems, for instance
    > pay your bill online and save £5 a month or whatever. This sort of
    > approach generally gets people to adopt the system alot quicker. But
    > in the case of U.S. immigration i'm sure everyone would jump on the
    > band wagon if they knew that filling a form out online would ensure a
    > quicker application process.


    > Well thats just my 2 cents





Hi:



My other experience with on-line filings and payments is with the
State of California. However, both DMV and the California State Bar
impose a SURCHARGE of several dollars as opposed to a 39 cent stamp to
use snail mail.



If it is so efficient and saves the government money, why does the
woefully cash strapped State of California discourage it? Maybe someone
should mention it to Arnold.

Jeffreyhy

Mr. F,



I've noticed this in the private sector also. I can pay my gas and
telephone bills on-line by EFT for no additional cost. But my electric
and cable TV companies impose a $4+ 'convenience' surcharge.



Perhaps these surcharges are imposed to cover the costs of installing
and operating a parallel electronic operation, which may not necessarily
save much of the manual system costs if the manual system must be
retained in full or in part.



Or perhaps these surcharges just provide an opportuity for an additional
revenue stream that is too lucrative to pass up.



Regards, JEff



Originally posted by Folinskyinla

    > Hi:


    > My other experience with on-line filings and payments is with the
    > State of California. However, both DMV and the California State Bar
    > impose a SURCHARGE of several dollars as opposed to a 39 cent stamp to
    > use snail mail.


If it is so efficient and saves the government money, why does the
woefully cash strapped State of California discourage it? Maybe someone
should mention it to Arnold.

Jeffreyhy

mcj,



What goes along with an employment application other than a resume?



Contrast that with the documentation that must accompany an I-130 or an
I-129f - especially from those petitioners who do not feel comfortable
submitting a petition package of fewer than 200 pages.



Come to think of it, maybe e-filing would work well if it could
eliminate those heavy-weight petitions....



Regards, JEff



Originally posted by mcjimbo

    > I just read Folinskyinla's post about possible increases to costs for
    > processing immigration forms through INS. This whole process could be
    > improved so easily, and the backlog cleared!


    > I've done quite alot of thinking about, and I would like to float the
    > following idea and see what people say.


    > Why doesn't the U.S. put a large amount of the immigration application
    > form process online and make most of the process electronic?


    > I work in e-recruitment, sinces its introduction in the late 90's its
    > revolutionised the way the industry works, freeing up considerable
    > amounts of time.


    > When someone applys to a job online and fills in an application, and
    > submits there resume as an attachment they can be delt with much
    > faster and more efficiently.


    > Alot of what we call pre-screening can be done on their job
    > application for instance: age, education grades, work experience,
    > whether the candidate requires a work permit and whether all the
    > questions have been answered correctly.


    > This pre-screen saves employers 1000's of hours during the course of a
    > year, and ensures 99% of the time that the right people get through
    > and the wrong ones don't.


    > The U.S. should adopt a similar approach to their immigration system.
    > Not only would it help to streamline the system and filter people alot
    > more effectively, but it would also ensure more legible forms as all
    > text would be entered electronically and could be viewed easily
    > without trying to figure out someones handwriting.


    > Costs could be saved across the board, email could be used as opposed
    > to snail mail....... I mean isn't this the way everything is going?
    > The future! So why not put the immigration form process online.


    > There are other pluses, for instance you could check an applicant's
    > details for securiuty versus Police (State, FBI, CIA) databases, much
    > faster than finger prints... There are so many pluses to this type of
    > system, I could spend a day listing them all.


    > Now I realise there would still have to be some parts of the process
    > that require a traditional approach, for instance validating a police
    > or birth certificate. But surely a large part of the process could be
    > completed online to help speed things up?


    > Obviously a paper based system would still have to be offered for
    > those who aren't computer savvy, or have access to a internet
    > connection.


    > I just think theres a more streamlined/efficient way of doing things,
    > and its obvious the current system isn't effective enough! Not to
    > mention this type of e-immigration system would greatly reduce the
    > stress endured by all of us going through the process by implementing
    > some sort of tracking system as your application progresses through
    > different stages of the process.


I realise we can check our status online at the moment, but the current
online check is designed to mask the inefficiency of the outdated system
behind it!.

Andrew Defaria

Folinskyinla wrote:

    > My other experience with on-line filings and payments is with the
    > State of California. However, both DMV and the California State Bar
    > impose a SURCHARGE of several dollars as opposed to a 39 cent stamp to
    > use snail mail.
    > If it is so efficient and saves the government money, why does the
    > woefully cash strapped State of California discourage it? Maybe
    > someone should mention it to Arnold.

I have been filing my taxes online for several years now, both state
(California) and federal. I don't recall a surcharge as of late. I
believe they had one for the first few years. Perhaps that was to recoup
investments in infrastructure. I also don't recall anywhere where
California discourages electronic filing.