INS issued a proposed rule that would allow people with pending applications to check their case status on line or by calling an (800)#. They will not implement this very helpful feature unless they get a positive public response. PLS read more below and give them your feedback!
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2002_register&docid=02-20476-filed

[Federal Register: August 13, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 156)]
[Notices]
[Page 52746-52747]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13au02-75]

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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Immigration Collection Activities: Comment Request

ACTION: 60-day notice of information collection under review; INS case
status service online.

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The Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service

[[Page 52747]]

has submitted the following information collection request for review
and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
Pub. L. 104-13 and the Privacy Act of 1974 as amended, and Pub. L. 93-
589.
INS now provides case status to individuals and their
representatives by request through an INS toll phone line or walk-in at
INS local offices. INS proposes to implement case status online service
that will provide case status of an immigration or naturalization
action to customers (and their representatives) via an interactive
voice response system on a toll free, 1-800 line or a web-based
application. Individuals or their representatives will look up status
on the Internet by typing in the receipt number of the submitted form
or through interaction on a toll-free telephone line. For individuals
or organizations such as law firms and non-profit organizations that
represent many individuals and their respective cases, the INS proposes
to implement a capability for each requestor to develop their own log
of pending cases on the web. The log will include multiple receipt
numbers that correspond to individuals' cases. A requestor will have
access only to a non-attributable case status receipt number.
INS will provide an option for the requestor to receive email
notification of status. The requestor would query the system and, if
desired, request email notification of further status changes. This
option reduces the number of times that a customer must access the
system for case status.
The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments
from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and will
be accepted for sixty days until October 15, 2002.
Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected
agencies concerning the proposed collection of information should
address one or more of the following four points:
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses.
Overview of this information collection:
(1) Type of Information Collection: New information collection.
(2) Title of the Form/Collection: INS Case Status Service Online.
(3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the
Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: No Agency Form No.
(File No. OMB-33). National Customer Service Center, Immigration and
Naturalization Service.
(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as
well as a brief abstract: Primary: Individual or households. The INS
proposes to implement an electronic website as a part of the Customer
Relationship Interface System (CRIS) initiative. The system will allow
individuals or their representatives to request case status. The INS
proposes to permit the requestor to look up status by entering on a
website the receipt number of the submitted action.
(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount
of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 1,000,000
responses at 4.5 minutes (0.75) per response.
(6) An estiamte of the total public burden (in hours) associated
with the collection: 75,000 annual burden hours.
If you have additional comments, suggestions, or need a copy of the
proposed information collection instrument with instructions, or
additional information, please contact Richard A. Sloan 202-514-3291,
Director, Regulations and Forms Services Division, Immigration and
Naturalization Service, U.S. Department of Justice, Room 4034, 425 I
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20536. Additionally, comments and/or
suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice, especially
regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time may
also be directed to Mr. Richard A. Sloan.
If additional information is required contact: Mr. Robert B.
Briggs, Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice,
Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division,
Patrick Henry Building, 601 D Street, NW., Suite 1600, Washington, DC
20530.

Dated: August 6, 2002.
Richard A. Sloan,
Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice,
Immigration and Naturalization Service.
[FR Doc. 02-20476 Filed 8-12-02; 8:45 am]
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