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INS Fact Sheet

May 4, 2000

The INS Online: www.ins.usdoj.gov
Information on the Web and 'At Your Service'

History of the Web Site Enhancement

INS Web site began August 12, 1996

Enhanced INS Web site debuted August 12, 1999

Official INS rollout of the new Web site, INS Online, was September 27, 1999

Target Audience for the INS Online:

Current and prospective immigrants

Sponsors and employers of immigrants

Congressional staff and librarians assisting immigrants and the public

Teachers and students

Media

General public

Goal of INS Online

The INS’ goal is to make its Web site the first stop for immigration information and forms. To do this, the agency is working to ensure the information on its Web site is timely, accurate and consistent so that customers and staff alike can rely on this information as the definitive public interpretation of INS policies and procedures.

User Statistics in FY 2000:

An average of approximately 650,000 user visits per month

Nearly 500,000 INS forms downloaded per month

Average user visit lasts nearly 19 minutes

Most popular parts of the Web site (in order of popularity) are:

&#8212Forms and Fees
—Immigration Services and Benefits
&#8212Field Offices
—"How Do I . . .?"
&#8212About INS &#8212Laws and Regulations &#8212Public Affairs </ul> Easy Access to Information Information is a precious commodity when needed in a hurry or when hard to find. INS wants to make it easier for its various customers to find what they want and need easily and quickly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Information on INS Online: The revamped INS Web site contains a wealth of information on all aspects of the work and programs of INS, including: <ul> <li>Front "Home" Page The INS Online home page provides headline notice of the latest information on the INS Web site. On the left side, a menu of links provides easy access to the three layers of information published on the Web site, while links on the right side provide shortcuts to often-used hot topics. At the top of the page, a tool bar provides easy access to an up-to-date summary of "Whats New?" on the Web site, including:</li> &#8212The latest news media information and publications in the Federal Register; &#8212Frequently asked questions; &#8212The "How Do I . . . ?" series of important summaries of major programs, benefits and procedures; &#8212The Web sites search engine and site map; &#8212A glossary of terms and acronyms; and &#8212A feedback mechanism to INS on the Web site that will soon include a way to ask questions and receive answers about basic immigration issues and programs. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>About INS General information about the INS mission, goals and accomplishments, including awards. Information on the annual budget, quality and integrity programs, community programs, working with Congress, INS statistics, INS restructuring proposals are included. The award-winning History, Genealogy and Education section presents a wealth of historical information and help on finding information on immigration history and immigrant ancestors. This section collates important links on the INS Web site into a section on Teacher and Student Resources, including brief summaries of immigration legislation since 1790. An ongoing series, This Month in Immigration History, provides insights into the background and consequences of important events in immigration history. </li> <li>Forms, Fees and Fingerprints Easy access to all INS public use forms, including instructions on how, when and where to file. All forms can be downloaded from the Web site. Information on fees and filing locations is also provided, including addresses, hours and directions to all INS Application Support Centers (ASCs) that take official fingerprints for INS applicants. </li> <li>Immigration Services and Benefits Information on the services provided by INS and the legal avenues for people to come to the United States permanently or temporarily. This section also provides information for students, schools, employers and potential investors. </li> <li>Law Enforcement and Border Management Information on the enforcement functions of INS, including the Border Patrol, inspections at ports of entry, investigations and removal. Links to information on detention standards, as well as on the location, visiting hours, directions and telephone contacts at INS detention centers is also being included. </li> <li>Field Offices A clickable state map of the United States identifies the various INS field offices relevant to residents in each state, and links to home pages for each office. Field office home pages include detailed information about them ("About Us"), including their hours, locations, directions, contact telephone numbers, local filing instructions and ways to find the status of a pending application. Some field office home pages also link to information on their community activities, recent press releases, newsletters and local frequently asked questions. </li> <li>Laws, Regulations and Guides Access to the complete public laws governing INS, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), regulations (8 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) and other immigration-related CFRs), summaries of major changes in the law, operations instructions, Board of Immigration Appeals decisions, etc. </li> <li>Public Affairs Ready access to INS public information documents, including news releases, fact sheets, Congressional testimony, progress reports, and so on. </li> <li>Working for INS Information on the core work positions at INS, what each one does, how to apply, and the benefits of employment at INS. This section also provides information on the Border Patrol recruitment and special hiring initiatives. </li> <li>Links to Other Agencies Direct access through links to other federal agencies and departments involved with immigration or immigration-related matters.</li> </ul> </TD></TR> </TABLE> </blockquote>  <blockquote> <address> Last Modified 02/20/2003 </address> </blockquote> </body> </html>