During President Obama's first immigration reform meeting back in June, it was declared that the USCIS.gov website would undergo a facelift to make the site more "efficient, transparent and user-friendly." As part of this redesign project, "Case Status Online" is now called "My Case Status." With it, come a few important updates.

For the first time, customers can view the steps associated in processing applications and petitions and get a description of each step. When customers enter a receipt number, they will see at what stage they are in the process.

On the same page, customers can also view USCIS national goals and national averages for different types of petitions and forms, as well as processing times for the office where their case is pending.

Customers may still sign up to receive automatic case status updates. Receiving these updates via e-mail is still an option, but USCIS has also added text message notifications. A U.S. cell phone number is required for the text message notifications and standard messaging rates apply, but this is a fabulous new offering for people on-the-go.

USCIS New Naturalization Test Fully Implemented

Monday, 12 October 2009

The United States and Immigration Service (USCIS) recently reminded the public that effective October 1, 2009 the new naturalization civics test is fully implemented and must be taken by all applicants.

Previously, applicants who filed an N-400 Application for Naturalization prior to October 1, 2008 had a choice of taking the old test or the new naturalization civics exam that was introduced on October 1, 2008.

Naturalization is the pathway to obtaining U.S. citizenship for qualified legal permanent residents (i.e. green card holders) who do not qualify for citizenship based on a familial relationship. To qualify for naturalization generally applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years old and satisfy certain residence and character requirements. In addition, applicants must take fingerprints and pass an English and civics test (i.e. the naturalization test).

According to the USCIS, the new naturalization civics test emphasizes fundamental concepts of American democracy, basic U.S. history, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. USCIS hopes that the test will ensure nationwide uniformity in test administration and that it will effectively assess an applicant’s knowledge of U.S. history and government.

USCIS also announced that the current pass rate for the new naturalization test is 91%, which may give solace to those who will need to take the new test.