Chapter 2 - Web-Based Information
A. Website
The USCIS website (uscis.gov) provides the public with access to current information about USCIS’ work, as well as current news releases, alerts, and other updates.
The USCIS website provides the following:
- Timely and accurate information on immigration and citizenship services and benefits offered by USCIS;
- Easy access to forms, form instructions, agency guidance, and other information required to successfully submit applications and petitions;
- The latest news and policy updates, including progress in support of Executive Orders;
- Information on outreach events and efforts; and
- Information on ways to contact USCIS.[1]
USCIS designed the website to accommodate easy navigation to highly trafficked pages directly from the home page, as well as a logical structure and search capability for easy access to all other pages.
In addition to uscis.gov, USCIS also hosts sub-sites, including:
- myUSCIS – Allows stakeholders to explore immigration options, create an online USCIS account, locate a physician to complete medical exams, practice the civics test, and complete other tasks online
- USCIS Tools and Resources – Online tools and resources to check case status online, ask questions about a case, and calculate fees
- Enterprise Change of Address – Self-service change of address tool available through a USCIS online account[2]
- Citizenship Resource Center – Hosts information and resources designed to assist prospective citizens
- USCIS Policy Manual – The agency’s centralized online repository for USCIS’ immigration policies[3]
- My Appointment – Online form for benefit requestors or their authorized representatives to request an in-person appointment at their local field office.
USCIS makes every effort to provide complete and accurate information on its website. USCIS does its best to update information and correct errors brought to its attention as soon as possible. Both the English language and Spanish language pages are updated at the same time, as appropriate.
B. Social Media
Social media is an informal means of communication that also connects benefit requestors and other interested parties with core information and services on the USCIS website. In this way, social media complements the USCIS website and increases USCIS’ ability to communicate with the public.
USCIS’ social media presence includes:
- Twitter (Main and for E-Verify) – for concise information and news, usually accompanied by links back to uscis.gov
- Facebook – for information and news, usually accompanied by links back to uscis.gov
- YouTube – for videos
- Instagram – for photos and informational graphics
The USCIS Office of Public Affairs (OPA) manages all USCIS social media accounts, working with various USCIS leadership and other offices to develop content. USCIS’ posts are visible to anyone with internet access.
USCIS generally uses social media to make information and services widely available to the general public, to promote transparency and accountability, and to help those seeking information or services from USCIS. USCIS posts information only after it has been appropriately approved and vetted by OPA. Only USCIS employees acting in their official capacity are authorized to post to USCIS social media sites.
Comments on USCIS’ social media channels are visible to the public. To protect their privacy, commenters should not include full names, phone numbers, email addresses, Social Security numbers, case numbers, or any other private information in comments.
USCIS does not moderate user comments on its channels before posting, but reserves the right to remove any materials that pose a security risk or otherwise violate the USCIS social media policy. Any opinions expressed in comments, except as specifically noted, are those of the individual commenters and do not reflect any agency policy, endorsement, or action. USCIS does not collect or retain comments in its records.
Use of each social media site is governed by that site’s privacy policy.[4]
Footnotes
[^ 1] See the Contact Us page on USCIS’ website.
[^ 2] See the How to Change Your Address webpage. See Chapter 10, Changes of Address, Section A, Updating Address Online [1 USCIS-PM A.10(A)].
[^ 3] The USCIS Policy Manual will ultimately replace the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM), the USCIS Immigration Policy Memoranda site, and other policy repositories.
[^ 4] See the USCIS website for information on Social Media Policy.