The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services announced recently that individuals filing certain applications with USCIS should mail their forms directly to the Chicago Lockbox instead of submitting them to their district office.

These applications include: Form I-485, application to register permanent residence or adjust status (family based adjustments only); Form I-765, application for employment authorization and Form I-131, application for travel document.

With the exception of the new filing address, “all immigration-filing procedures remain unchanged,” according to a press release from the Department of Homeland Security. This new direct mail program is expected to enable the department to more efficiently process applications, deposit fees and provide enhanced customer service, the release added.

Phase one of this roll out began on Dec. 1, and will affect certain aliens who live in the states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, as well as the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands and filing Form I-485, Form I-765, and Form I-131.

The second phase will begin next year on April 1 and will affect certain aliens filing Form I-485, Form I-765, and Form I-131 residing in: Alaska, California, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.

(Compiled from press releases by Gloria Suhasini)