On October 30, 2018, USCIS announced plans to expand the InfoPass pilot program, known as the Information Services Modernization Program, to additional USCIS field offices throughout the United States.
The Information Services Modernization Program ends self-scheduling of InfoPass appointments and instead encourages applicants to use USCIS online information resources to view general how-to information and check case statuses through the USCIS Contact Center. Recent improvements to online tools provide applicants the ability to obtain their case status and other immigration information without having to visit a local field office.
The program requires stakeholders to schedule InfoPass appointments by either calling the USCIS Contact Center’s phone number at +1-800-375-5283 or by completing an online form, available at https://my.uscis.gov/help/schedule/.
According to the USCIS announcement in October, the latest rollout will extend to the following locations: the Detroit Field Office and offices within the Los Angeles District on November 13, 2018 and field offices in Newark, the Great Lakes, and San Jose (part of the San Francisco District) implemented within the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. All remaining field offices are expected to follow by the end of fiscal year 2019 (September 30, 2019).
We are beginning to see the effect of this move to the new system. Clients are reporting they are no longer able to schedule InfoPass appointments in those locations where the InfoPass Pilot Program has been implemented. Moreover, we note that other USCIS field offices may already be no longer accepting appointments.
According to USCIS, since it launched this pilot program in March 2018, transitioning from the InfoPass appointment system to the Information Services Modernization Program has improved the delivery of emergency and other services that can only be provided in person and made operations more efficient overall.
