October 20, 2006

New USCIS Digitization Facilities in Williamsburg, KY

On October 16, USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez outlined the agency’s multi-year plan to digitize paper immigration files in an effort to enhance national security through efficiently and effectively detecting and deterring fraud. Through this new data management system, the USCIS hopes to digitize one-million paper records, including A-files (permanent alien immigration files) and applications for immigration benefits, over the next five years. This process would enable various federal agencies to access this information instantaneously from around the world. This effort will the overseen by the National Verification and Fraud Detection unit led by Janis Sposato and her new Deputy, Steve Bucher. GT congratulates Mr. Bucher on this appointment.