DHS Updates Immigration Form: Feedback Welcome, Zzz
Published Date: 3/14/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Homeland Security is updating the Request for Case Assistance Form (DHS Form 7001) used by people and employers facing issues with immigration services. They want your feedback by May 13, 2025, before sending the form for official approval. This update helps make sure problems with immigration benefits get solved faster and smoother, with no extra cost or time burden expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
New Online Portal for Status and Uploads
A new CIS Ombudsman web portal lets you check case status online and upload additional documents for a previously submitted case without creating an account; you need your case assistance request number and email address and will receive a confirmation email after upload.
Beneficiary Info Collection to Enable Assistance
The revised form retains and expands a section to collect beneficiary (employee) information for certain petitioning employers so the CIS Ombudsman can inquire with USCIS; the notice states that without this beneficiary information the Ombudsman will not be able to assist individuals and employers seeking help during USCIS processing.
Digital/Mobile Improvements vs. Paper Delays
CIS Ombudsman enhanced mobile completion and the online form feeds directly into the case management system (CAADI); the paper fillable PDF remains available but paper submissions are manually ingested and the notice states the paper method may result in delays due to mail delivery and intake processing.
One Issue Per Case Request
The revised DHS Form 7001 limits each request to one immigration issue. This change is explicit in the proposed form enhancements and applies to all users submitting a Request for Case Assistance.
Form Translations Available (Submission in English)
The form must be submitted in English, but DHS will translate the form and instructions into the five most frequently requested languages and initiated translation and interpretation services in October 2024 to help immigrants complete the form.
Estimated Completion Time Increased to 50 Minutes
The agency increased the estimated time to complete DHS Form 7001 from 30 minutes to 50 minutes based on a usability study; the Analysis section lists 23,591 respondents and total burden hours of 19,659.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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