Modernizing our Immigration System
By the Numbers
Yearly naturalization applicants
Immigration workload now completed digitally, up from 5%
of new N-400 applications electronically processed since October 2017
The Challenge
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services processes millions of immigration requests a year using a paper-based process that results in long waiting periods for applicants who have little visibility into the status of their application or petition. To become a naturalized citizen, an individual had to complete a physical 20-page form, called the N-400. Often, USCIS shipped this form across the country to multiple immigration officers, adjudicators, and clerks to review immigration records, perform interviews, and process background checks.
The Solution
Since 2014, USDS has supported the release of USCIS’s most critical digital capabilities and services such as ELIS—the case management system that supports processing and adjudication of digitized immigration workloads—and myUSCIS, which allows applicants to apply and track their cases online. In late 2017, USCIS successfully transitioned digital processing of Form N-400 from the legacy CLAIMS4 system to ELIS. Now, all applicants can apply for naturalization online, and USCIS can process the application more efficiently.
A naturalization ceremony taking place at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., with Michelle Obama in attendance (photo courtesty of U.S. National Archives).
More projects
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Internal Revenue ServiceFiling taxes for free with IRS’ Direct File
USDS partnered with the IRS to deliver the IRS Direct File Pilot, a free way for eligible people to file their taxes for free, directly with the IRS.
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Social Security AdministrationContinuously improving SSA.gov
The Social Security Administration is building on the momentum from their partnership with the U.S. Digital Service by implementing iterative research, best practices, and a data-informed approach to ensure the website is usable and useful.
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Centers for Disease Control and PreventionPreparing for the next pandemic while building tech for COVID-19
We worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to quickly create and scale technology programs that digitize and share infectious disease test results in real-time.
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Health and Human ServicesModernizing the child care application process
USDS partnered with ACF’s policy and subject matter experts to create a Model Child Care Assistance Application and eligibility verification practices that met federal guidelines and demonstrated the “art of what’s possible.
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Cross-agencyOptimizing benefits for families
Working alongside The Department of Treasury and the White House, we built ChildTaxCredit.gov to educate families about the expanded Earned Income Credit and Child Tax Credit. The USDS team relied on in-depth research to create a site that is accessible, easy-to-read, and provides resources to find free tax services.
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Cross-agencyChanging how the government hires technical talent
We helped develop a process that allows HR to leverage subject matter experts to evaluate candidates for specialized roles. The result restores fair and open access for all applicants, shortens the hiring timeline, and ensures applicants are truly qualified.
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Veterans AffairsSimplifying Veteran‑facing services through VA.gov
Each month, over 10 million people attempt to access the digital tools and content at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and have historically struggled to find what they’re looking for. Digital modernization efforts needed to focus on improving the user experience.