July 22, 2004 - The USCIS today announced its latest schedule for implementing its "InfoPass" system for making appointments at USCIS District Offices around the United States via the Internet. According to the USCIS Fact Sheet,

"InfoPass is an Internet-based system that enables the public to go online to schedule appointments with immigration information officers at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices. If you have a complex immigration question or need that is best addressed by a trained USCIS officer in person, InfoPass offers a convenient alternative to waiting in line for assistance."

InfoPass is now available for scheduling appointments at the Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas and New York District Offices. The tentative schedule announced by the USCIS for implementation of InfoPass at other district offices is as follows:

August 9th - Buffalo, Newark, Philadelphia
August 16th - Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Portland, ME, New Orleans
August 18th - Chicago, Houston
August 23rd - Cleveland, Detroit, San Juan, Washington D.C.
August 30th, Anchorage, Honolulu, Phoenix, Portland, OR, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle
September 8th - Denver, El Paso, Harlingen, Helena, Kansas City, Omaha, San Antonio, St. Paul

For more information, go to http://infopass.uscis.gov/info_en.php

BAL Comment: USCIS has not indicated that INFOPASS would be available at any USCIS Service Center; therefore, InfoPass appears to be applicable to family based applications or other matters normally handled at a USCIS district office rather than a USCIS Service Center. Accordingly, applicants for employment-based immigration benefits with matters pending at a USCIS Service Center would ordinarily NOT benefit from meeting with an information officer at a USCIS district office. BAL clients may monitor the status of their petitions either online by using BAL's Status Check feature, or by contacting the attorney or legal assistant assigned to their case.

InfoPass Fact Sheet
InfoPass Press Release