In a continuing effort to improve customer service, USCIS recently introduced the "Case Status Online Portfolio System" to increase options for checking the status of pending application for immigration benefits. The goal of this system is to help provide quality customer service by:

• "Providing a simple, secure way for applicants to check their case status online. This decreases the need for customers to write, fax or stand in line to meet with an Immigration Information Officer at local USCIS offices;
• Enabling customers, employers, attorneys, and community based organizations to monitor up to 100 pending cases through a single account, all of which are tracked with a unique user ID and Password;
• Sending e-mail notification automatically to registered applicants whenever there is a change in the status of a pending application; and
• Providing information in English and Spanish."

The following are the steps to "Establish a Portfolio:"

1. Click on "Case Status Online" from the www.uscis.gov website.
2. Choose "Create a Portfolio." Create a User ID and password to access portfolio.
3. Enter all of the receipt numbers to be included in the portfolio.
4. Choose to receive automatic e-mail updates whenever there is a status change for a pending case:

Additional features and points regarding the Case Status Online Portfolio System:

• "Once the portfolio is registered, the customer needs only to enter their User ID and Password on the Case Status Online page to gain access to information about every application in the portfolio.
• Information entered into the portfolio is not used elsewhere within USCIS and is not disclosed to outside parties.
• Customers without portfolios may still check case status online by providing their application receipt number."