You are here

Home > Topics > Privacy > Compliance > Privacy Impact Assessments > Privacy Documents for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Privacy Documents for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Below, find Privacy Impact Assessments (PIA) and System of Records Notices (SORN) for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for more information.

DHS/USCIS/PIA-003 Integrated Digitization Document Management Program (IDDMP)

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-005 Biometric Storage System (BSS)

Biometric Storage System, March 28, 2007 (PDF, 25 pages - 622 KB). U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is developing the Biometric Storage System (BSS) to help streamline the established USCIS biometric and card production processes and become the centralized repository for all USCIS customer biometrics. BSS will route, store, and process 10-print fingerprint biometrics and associated biographic information for biometric-based background checks on those individuals applying/petitioning for immigration benefits. BSS is a new system being developed incrementally and will replace the Image Storage and Retrieval System (ISRS). BSS will also replace aspects of the Benefit Biometric Support System (BBSS), while adding new functionalities that did not previously exist in either ISRS or BBSS.

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-006 Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program

DHS/USCIS/PIA-006(b) - Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program, April 19, 2013 (PDF, 8 pages, 163KB). USCIS' Verification Division is publishing this update to the SAVE Program PIA. SAVE is a fee-based inter-governmental initiative designed to help federal, state, tribal, and local government agencies confirm status prior to granting benefits and licenses, as well as for other lawful purposes. The purpose of this update is to: 1) describe the expanded use of the Photo Matching Tool technology; and 2) introduce the implementation of the electronic form G-845, Document Verification Request.

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-007 Secure Information Management Service (SIMS) Pilot with Inter-Country Adoptions Update

Secure Information Management Service (SIMS) Pilot with Inter-Country Adoptions Update, August 13, 2008 (PDF, 6 pages - 248 KB). U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is publishing this update to the Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for the Secure Information Management Service (SIMS). This update describes the electronic sharing of case management data with the Department of State (DoS) necessary to expedite and improve the processing of inter-country adoption cases. Specifically, the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) will be shared electronically with the DoS to maintain statistics related to inter-country adoption cases.

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-008 Enterprise Service Bus (ESB)

Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) June 22, 2007, (PDF, 27 pages - 205 KB). The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) is being developed by the USCIS Office of Information Technology (OIT) to facilitate information sharing and integration between USCIS systems, and across DHS components and other Agencies, such as the Department of State. The ESB is a set of commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) that will provide a standardized infrastructure to connect to multiple systems and services. This is a new infrastructure component within USCIS that will be incrementally enhanced to provide support for multiple service interfaces. This Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) will be updated to reflect those material changes.

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-009 Central Index System (CIS)

Central Index System, June 22, 2007, (PDF, 23 pages - 240 KB). U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services maintains the Central Index System (CIS), a database system originally developed by the legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service. CIS contains information on the status of 57 million applicants/petitioners seeking immigration benefits to include: lawful permanent residents, naturalized citizens, U.S. border crossers, aliens who illegally entered the U.S., aliens who have been issued employment authorization documents, individuals who petitioned for benefits on behalf of family members, and other individuals subject to the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This PIA addresses the current status of CIS, and will be updated accordingly as additional USCIS applications and system functionalities are added to CIS.

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-010 Person Centric Query Service

DHS/USCIS/PIA-012 Correspondence Handling and Management Planning System (CHAMPS)

Correspondence Handling and Management Planning System (CHAMPS), January 13, 2009 (PDF, 16 pages - 261 KB). U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Texas Service Center (TSC) has developed the Correspondence Handling and Management Planning System (CHAMPS). The CHAMPS system is designed to facilitate workflow management, production evaluation, and time and attendance functions. USCIS has conducted this Privacy Impact Assessment because CHAMPS collects and uses personally identifiable information (PII).

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-013 Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-014 Customer Identity Verification (CIV) System Update

Customer Identity Verification (CIV) System Update April 26, 2010 (PDF, 8 pages - 231 KB). The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating its Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for the Customer Identity Verification (CIV) system to remove the "Pilot" designation of the system and to address the further deployment of the system to all field offices. The CIV system collects and uses biometrics (fingerprints and pictures) when an applicant appears before USCIS in person at the time of an interview so that USCIS can verify that the individual being interviewed is the same person for whom it conducted a background check and collected other information at the Application Support Center (ASC). USCIS will use United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology's (US-VISIT) Secondary Inspections Tool (SIT), a web-based tool, that processes, displays, and retrieves biometric and biographic data from the Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT).

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-015 Computer Linked Application Information Management System (CLAIMS 4) Update

Computer Linked Application Information Management System 4 (CLAIMS 4) Update, November 5, 2013 (PDF, 7 pages - 154 KB). CLAIMS 4 is an electronic case management system used to track and process naturalization applications. USCIS updated this PIA to discuss the centralization of naturalization forms after disposition of the Reengineered Naturalization Application Casework System (RNACS).

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-016 Computer Linked Application Information Management System (CLAIMS 3) and Associated Systems

DHS/USCIS/PIA-017 Microfilm Digitization Application System (MiDAS)

Microfilm Digitization Application System (MiDAS) September 15, 2008 (PDF, 21 pages - 289 KB). U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Records Division maintains the Microfilm Digitization Application System (MiDAS), which houses 85 million electronic immigration-related records previously stored on microfilm. USCIS is conducting this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) to analyze the privacy impacts associated with the new release of MiDAS that will enable USCIS to 1) electronically search and retrieve historical immigration-related records, 2) process web-based requests for these records submitted by federal, state, and local Government and Public Genealogy Customers, 3) provide case tracking capabilities for USCIS Records Division staff, and 4) provide these records to the law enforcement and intelligence communities.

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-018 Alien Change of Address Card (AR-11)

Alien Change of Address Card (AR-11) October 21, 2008 (PDF, 13 Pages - 194 KB). U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is publishing this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for the Alien Change of Address Card (AR-11) System. The AR-11 tracks the address changes submitted to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in paper and electronic form as required by Section 265 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1305. USCIS has conducted this PIA because AR-11 contains personally identifiable information (PII).

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-019 Customer Relationship Interface System (CRIS) Update

Customer Relationship Interface System (CRIS), August 15, 2013. (PDF, 7 pages, 145 KB). CRIS provides USCIS customers access to the status of their applications and petitions for immigration benefits and processing time information. USCIS is updating this PIA to provide notice regarding e-Request, a new service that allows customers to create a service request via www.uscis.gov, and to update the description of Case Status Service Online (CSSO). USCIS is publishing this update because these modifications affect the collection, use, and storage of PII.

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-021 Changes to Requirements Affecting H-2A Nonimmigrants and Changes to Requirements Affecting H-2B Nonimmigrants and Employers Final Rules

Changes to Requirements Affecting H-2A Nonimmigrants and Changes to Requirements Affecting H-2B Nonimmigrants and Employers Final Rules, December 18, 2008 (PDF, 21 pages - 244 KB). U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is publishing this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) in conjunction with two Final Rules titled Changes to Requirements Affecting H-2A Nonimmigrants and Changes to Requirements Affecting H-2B Nonimmigrants and Employers. The Final Rules announce employers' requirements to notify USCIS when an H-2A or H-2B worker absconds, fails to report for work, or is terminated early and/or when any prohibited fees are collected from aliens as a condition of H-2A or H-2B employment. USCIS has conducted this PIA because the nonimmigrant visa programs associated with these Final Rules involve the collection of personally identifiable information (PII).

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-022 Compliance Tracking and Management System (CTMS)

Compliance Tracking and Management System (CTMS), May 22, 2009 (PDF, 22 pages - 257 KB). The Verification Division of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) operates the Compliance Tracking and Management System (CTMS). CTMS collects and uses information necessary to support monitoring and compliance activities for researching and managing misuse, abuse, discrimination, breach of privacy, and fraudulent use of USCIS Verification Division's verification programs, the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) and E-Verify. This is a new system that requires publication of a Privacy Impact Assessment and System of Records Notice.

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-023 Enterprise Citizenship and Immigrations Services Centralized Operational Repository (eCISCOR)

Enterprise Citizenship and Immigrations Services Centralized Operational Repository (eCISCOR) PIA Update, January 23, 2015 (PDF). USCIS uses eCISCOR to streamline access to relevant information necessary to administrate the Immigration and Nationality Act. eCISCOR is a repository that consolidates information collected during the adjudication of applications and petitions for immigration benefits. USCIS updated and reissued this PIA to clarify eCISCOR’s functionalities, and to discuss all source systems and interconnected systems to eCISCOR.

Previous PIA(s):

Enterprise Citizenship and Immigrations Services Centralized Operational Repository (eCISCOR), August 13, 2009 (PDF, 17 pages - 225 KB).

Associated SORN(s)

  • SORN coverage is dependent upon connected IT systems. See PIA Appendix.

DHS/USCIS/PIA-027 Refugees, Asylum, and Parole System (RAPS) and the Asylum Pre-Screening System (APSS) Update

Refugees, Asylum, and Parole System, and the Asylum Pre-Screening System, June 5, 2013, PDF, 9 pages, 252 KB. USCIS is updating the Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for the Refugees, Asylum, and Parole System (RAPS) and the Asylum Pre-Screening System (APSS) in order to provide notice of the expansion in the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC)’s “temporary retention” of RAPS information due to the March 2012 release of the Guidelines for Access, Retention, Use and Dissemination by the National Counterterrorism Center and other Agencies of Information in Datasets Containing Non-Terrorism Information (AG Guidelines).

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-028 Background Vetting Service (BVS)

Background Vetting Service, March 22, 2010 (PDF, 18 pages - 273 KB). The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) developed the Background Vetting Service (BVS) to comply with the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, Public Law 109-248 which restricts the ability of any U.S. citizen (USC) or lawful permanent resident alien (LPR) who has been convicted of any "specified offense against a minor" from filing certain family-based immigration petitions. Under the BVS, the USCIS will facilitate fingerprint checks of USCs whose principal residence is overseas filing family-based immigration petitions at Department of State (DOS) Overseas Posts against the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) and the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT). The information is collected and assembled by DOS. The USCIS BVS does not collect or originate any information but only serves as a conduit to route the information between DOS, US-VISIT, FBI IAFIS, and the USCIS BVS Users. USCIS Conducted this privacy impact assessment (PIA) because BVS checks personally identifiable information (PII) collected by DOS against US-VISIT's IDENT and FBI's IAFIS and returns a status flag back to DOS for their use in the adjudication of the applicable petition.

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-030 E-Verify

Previous PIAs:

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-031Citizenship and Immigration Data Repository (CIDR)

Citizenship and Immigration Data Repository (CIDR) September 8, 2010 (PDF, 25 pages - 252 KB). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) developed the Citizenship Immigration Data Repository (CIDR), hosted on DHS classified networks, in order to make information from multiple USCIS benefits administration systems available for querying by authorized USCIS personnel for the following three purposes: (1) vetting USCIS application information for indications of possible immigration fraud and national security concerns, (2) detecting possible fraud and misuse of immigration information or position by USCIS employees, for personal gain or by coercion, and (3) responding to requests for information (RFIs) from the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) and/or the federal intelligence and law enforcement community members that are based on classified criteria. In conjunction with this PIA, DHS is issuing a new Privacy Act system of records notice to cover the search parameters and the results of the searches.

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-032 National File Tracking System (NFTS)

National File Tracking System (NFTS) October 5, 2010, (PDF, 16 pages - 211 KB). The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is preparing this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for the National File Tracking System (NFTS). NFTS is an automated file-tracking system used to maintain an accurate file inventory and track the physical location of files. This system facilitates USCIS's ability to efficiently manage and streamline access to the millions of immigration files under its control. USCIS is conducting this PIA to document, analyze and assess the current practices with respect to the personally identifiable information (PII) NFTS collects, uses and shares.

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-033 Immigration Benefits Background Check Systems (IBBCS)

Immigration Benefits Background Check Systems (IBBCS) November 5, 2010 (PDF, 28 pages – 354 KB). As part of its benefits adjudication process and as required by law, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conducts background checks on petitioners and applicants who seek certain immigration benefits. These background checks consist of four separate checks against systems within Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In order to facilitate the collection and transmission of information necessary to complete background check processes, USCIS maintains five information technology electronic systems: the Fingerprint Masthead Notification System (FMNS), the Customer Identity Capture System (CICS), the FD-258 Tracking System - Mainframe (FD-258 MF), the Benefits Biometrics Support System (BBSS), and the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS) Manifest. USCIS is conducting this privacy impact assessment (PIA) because FMNS, CICS, FD-258 MF, BBSS, and IBIS Manifest collect, use, and share personally identifiable information (PII). This PIA replaces the previously published USCIS PIA for the “Background Check Service (BCS)” which describes planned background check-related systems that were never implemented. Upon publication of this PIA, the BCS PIA will be retired.

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-034 H-1B Visa Cap Registration

Visa Cap Registration January 28, 2011 (PDF, 16 pages – 210 KB) The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is proposing to amend its regulation governing petitions by U.S. employers seeking H-1B nonimmigrant worker status for aliens subject to annual numerical limitations or exempt from numerical limitations by having earned a U.S. master’s or higher degree (also referred to as the “65,000 cap” and “20,000 cap” respectively, or the “cap” collectively). Under the proposed rule, USCIS would establish H-1B Cap Registration, a mandatory registration process, to streamline the administration of H-1B petitions filed by employers. This Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is being conducted because the H-1B Cap Registration NPRM proposes a change to USCIS’ collection of personally identifiable information (PII).

DHS/USCIS/PIA-035 Migrant Information Tracking System (MITS)

Migrant Information Tracking System (MITS) February 3, 2010 (PDF, 16 pages – 180 KB). The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) developed the Migrant Information Tracking System (MITS) to serve as a centralized repository for information relating to migrants interdicted at sea. MITS facilitates USCIS’ ability to record and track information pertaining to a migrant’s illicit maritime migration into the United States and respond to information requests regarding interdicted migrants from Members of Congress inquiring on behalf of a family member of the migrant. USCIS conducted this privacy impact assessment (PIA) because MITS collects, uses, and disseminates personally identifiable information (PII).

DHS/USCIS/PIA-036 Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Update

Form I-9 “Employment Eligibility Verification” Update, June 21, 2013 (PDF 6 pages, 308KB). USCIS Verification Division manages the business process in support of the statutory requirement that employers maintain Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, which is completed by their new employees. This form serves to verify employment authorization for all new employees. The purpose of this update is to: (1) describe the collection of additional information in “Section I: Employee Information and Attestation” of Form I-9; and (2) describe the update to Form I-9 instructions.

Associated SORN

DHS/USCIS/PIA-038 FOIA/PA Information Processing System

FOIA/PA Information Processing System (FIPS), December 17, 2012 (PDF 157 KB, 7 pages). DHS/USCIS uses the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) Information Processing System (FIPS) to process FOIA/PA requests from individuals requesting access to DHS/USCIS records. USCIS is updating the FIPS PIA (DHS/USCIS/PIA-038) dated June 14, 2011,1 to introduce the DHS/USCIS Enterprise Services Directorate’s (ESD) National Records Center’s (NRC) Significant Interest Group (SIG), use of the SharePoint Enterprise Collaborative Network (ECN) Site to track and receive records that are responsive to FOIA/PA requests.

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-040 Center Adjudication System Electronic Processing (CasePro)

Center Adjudication System Electronic Processing (CasePro), February 3, 2014 (PDF, 15 pages – 185 KB). USCIS developed this system to assist with the adjudication of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) filings. CasePro electronically organizes and reviews incoming filings, identifies approvable cases, automates the adjudication of some cases which meet filing requirements, and routes filings requiring additional review to the manual resolution process. USCIS conducted this PIA to describe how CasePro collects, uses, and maintains PII.

Associated SORN(s)

DHS-USCIS-PIA-044 Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises (VIBE)

Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises (VIBE), April 15, 2014 (PDF 26 pages, 280 KB). The USCIS Service Center Operations Directorate (SCOPS) developed the VIBE system. SCOPS uses VIBE to (1) validate the business operations and financial viability of organizations seeking to employ foreign workers; and (2) identify benefit fraud based on the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) findings and other government agencies’ referrals. USCIS conducted this PIA because VIBE collects, uses, and disseminates PII.

Associated Appendix

DHS/USCIS/PIA-044 Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises (VIBE) (PDF 1 page, 81 KB)

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-045 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Update, April 17, 2014 (PDF, 7 pages, 160 KB). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating this PIA to discuss changes to Form I-821D, Consideration for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, primarily in support of the DACA renewal requests. USCIS has revised Form I-821D to allow for both initial and renewal DACA requests.

Associated Appendix:

Original PIA:

Associated SORNs:

DHS/USCIS/PIA-046 Customer Scheduling and Services

Customer Scheduling and Services, March 25, 2014 (PDF 21 pages). USCIS allows customers to schedule appointments with an Immigration Service Officer (ISO) to discuss the specifics of their benefit application and petition through the infopass.uscis.gov website and customer service kiosks. This PIA discusses the USCIS systems associated with scheduling and managing appointments and evaluates the privacy risks and mitigation strategies built into the systems. These systems include InfoPass and the Customer Management Information System (CMIS). USCIS is updating and reissuing this PIA, originally published on June 6, 2013, because CMIS may collect, use, and maintain not only Alien Number, but also USCIS Electronic Immigration System Numbers and Receipt Numbers. USCIS also removed references to a planned automated process for an individual to check in for his or her appointment at a USCIS field office through bar code scanners that was not implemented, and updated the system’s Authority to Operat

Associated Appendix

Associated SORNs:

DHS/USCIS/PIA-047 GeoSpace

Geospace, July 12, 2013, PDF, 199 KB, 18 pages. The USCIS Office of Security and Integrity (OSI) developed GeoSpace to handle the tracking, receipt, and response to incidents that individuals report as Significant Incident Reports (SIR) in and around USCIS buildings and facilities. GeoSpace provides incident management for OSI in geospatial terms, which allows for the timely reporting of critical incidents, activities, and events to USCIS leadership and to the DHS National Operations Center. USCIS conducted this PIA because GeoSpace collects, uses, and disseminates PII.

Associated SORNs:

DHS/USCIS/PIA-048 USCIS International Biometric Processing Services

DHS/USCIS/PIA-049 Refugee Access Verification Unit (RAVU)

Refugee Access Verification Unit (RAVU), August 16, 2013 (PDF, 20 pages - 223 KB). The Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses the Enterprise Collaboration Network to manage the Refugee Access Verification Unit (RAVU) records. The purpose of RAVU is to track and manage the review of Affidavits of Relationship (AOR) filed by immediate family members (herein referred to as anchor relatives) in the United States on behalf of overseas family members who seek consideration for refugee resettlement under the Priority 3 Family Reunification Program. USCIS is conducting this Privacy Impact Assessment because RAVU collects, uses, and maintains personally identifiable information.

Associated SORN(s)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-050 Standard Management Analysis Reporting Tool (SMART)

Associated SORNs:

DHS/USCIS/PIA-051 Case and Activity Management for International Operations (CAMINO)

Associated SORNs:

DHS/USCIS/PIA-052 Electronic Workload Reporting and Tracking System

Associated SORNs

DHS-USCIS-PIA-053 USCIS Investigations Division Case Management System (IDCMS)

Associated SORN

DHS-USCIS-PIA-054 National Customer Service Center

Associated SORN(s)

DHS-USCIS-PIA-055 SAS Predictive Modeling Environment

DHS-USCIS-PIA-056 USCIS ELIS

DHS/USCIS/PIA-057 National Appointment Scheduling System (NASS)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-058 System Electronic Registration Approval (SERA)

DHS/USCIS/PIA-059 Known Employer Document Library

DHS/USCIS/PIA-060 Customer Profile Management Service

DHS/USCIS/PIA-061 Benefit Request Intake Process

DHS/USCIS/PIA-062 Administrative Appeals Office Case Management System

DHS/USCIS/PIA-063 Benefit Decision and Output Processes

Retired PIAs

Last Published Date: October 3, 2016

Was this page helpful?

This page was not helpful because the content:
Back to Top