Oh, really...
IMMIGRATION APPLICATIONS GO ONLINE (via Newsscan)
The Homeland Security Department's Bureau for Citizenship and Immigration Services says that beginning May 29, people seeking to renew or replace green cards or apply for work permits will be able to do so electronically.
"This is the first step in our bigger plan to automate a lot of the applications," says a Bureau spokesman. Previously, the applications could be downloaded and printed out, but had to be mailed in. Under the new service, when an immigrant submits an application online, he or she must also call the National Customer Support Center to schedule an appointment, at which photos, fingerprints and signatures will be recorded using high-tech imaging equipment.
In the fall, the Bureau will begin accepting electronic applications for other benefits, such as temporary protected status, petitions for nonimmigrant workers and for nonimmigrant status changes or extensions. (AP 25 Apr 2003)
Would this BCIS be the ancestor of the INS? Because the INS sucks wind so much that they cause at least 27% of all known hurricanes.
And maybe, someday, I'll actually say why... Hmmmph!