Immigration Tools and Resources | Compendium

Compendium

News for Pennsyslvania Libraries

Immigration Tools and Resources

by | Jan 11, 2015 | Immigration, Professional Development

USCIS & IMLS Webinar

On December 17, 2014 USCIS (US Citizenship & Immigration Services) and IMLS presented a Webinar on the overview of customer service tools and resources for public libraries.  USCIS is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States.

USCIS and IMLS created a partnership in June 2013.  The objective is to support libraries through public information and engagement opportunities and to distribute educational and training resources for immigration and citizenship through key activities:

Provide library personnel with information on USCIS processes and educational resources

Distribute immigration and citizenship materials to public libraries

Partner to combat the unauthorized practice of immigration law

Hold citizenship information sessions and naturalization ceremonies in local libraries

Support outreach efforts related to USCIS’s transition from a paper-based model to a secure online environment using  the E-Verify Program

USCIS Online Tools can be found at www.uscis.gov

This site includes helpful customer service tools such as:

  • A case status tracker
  • An appointment scheduler (InfoPass)
  • Downloadable forms  (All are Free)
  • Filing tips
  • How Do I? customer guides
  • Information on the Toll-Free Customer Service line
  • Educational materials
  • E-Request (Submit a case inquiry)
  • Change of Address

Online tools are also available in Spanish.

USCIS Links to Find Forms/Information

Immigration forms can be found online at www.uscis.gov/forms or they can be ordered free by mail by calling 1-800-870-3676.

If someone has a pending application with USCIS and they want to check the status of their case, they can log in using their application receipt number at https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do .

Individuals may apply for a green card (permanent residence) through family members, a job offer or employment, refugee or asylum status.  Information on permanent residence can be found at www.uscis.gov/greencard .

To apply for Naturalization, individuals will need to fill out Form N-400, Application and Naturalization and meet all eligibility requirements.  Information can be found at www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learners/apply-citizenship .

There are many free resources (in English and several other languages) to help immigrants prepare for the naturalization test.  All are free and can be found at http://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learners/study-test .

Many community organizations and social service providers offer English and citizenship classes.   To find local classes and information: www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learners/find-help-your-community.

USCIS Resources for Libraries

An information page for libraries includes helpful resources and upcoming webinars.  This page is available at www.uscis.gov/citizenship/organizations/libraries .

To receive emails about USCIS webinars and other messages relating to the USCIS and IMLS partnership, access the mail www.uscis.gov webpage and select “Get Email Updates’ in upper left hand corner.  Then under the Outreach category, select “Updates from USCIS-IMLS’.

For information about creating a Citizenship Corner in your library: http://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/organizations/libraries/citizenship-corners .

To register for your library to receive a free copy of the ‘Civics and Citizenship Toolkit’: http://www.citizenshiptoolkit.gpo.gov/Registration/ .

How libraries can become involved?

Visit the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center’s library page under the Organizations ab at www.uscis.gov/citizenship

Subscribe to the IMLS newsletter (Primary Resource) at www.imls.gov/signup.aspx

Visit the USCIS-IMLS partnership page at  http://www.imls.gov/about/serving_new_americans.aspx

Register for the USCIS free email alert service at www.uscis.gov/citizenship and click on ‘Email Updates’

Contact your local USCIS Community Relations Officer for further information and opportunities available for libraries 

Executive Action

On November 24, 2014, the President announced a series of executive actions that will address illegal immigration at the border, ensure that our enforcement and removal policies continue to prioritize threats to our national security, public safety and border security, and to expand the use of deferred action for certain individuals who came to the US as children.  Immigrants interested in learning more about the various initiatives and programs announced should visit http://www.uscis.gov/immigrationaction .

USCIS will NOT accept applications for initiatives related to the President’s announcement until early to mid-2015.  Until then people who may want to apply under these programs should be careful of immigration scams.  Visit www.uscis.gov/avoidscams to learn more and to find authorized legal service providers.

For more information on finding legal assistance see www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams/find-legal-services .

To see and share the archived slides from this Webinar with your patrons, please go to http://www.imls.gov/resources/webinars.aspx