INS News Release

February 2, 2000 INS 1-800 Telephone Information Service Now Available Nationwide WASHINGTON – The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) now provides nationwide live telephone assistance with a single toll-free number. By dialing 1-800-375-5283, customers throughout the country can get consistent, accurate information on immigration benefits and services. This centralized telephone information service, part of the INS National Customer Service Center (NCSC) initiative, helps customers avoid inconvenient, time-consuming visits to INS offices and allows local offices to focus on and improve services that can only be provided locally. "The nationwide expansion of toll-free, live-assistance telephone service is an example of our commitment to meet customer needs," said INS Commissioner Doris Meissner. "I am pleased and proud that we can now offer this long-needed convenience so our customers no longer must take time off from work, travel long distances and stand in long lines at INS offices to obtain basic information and assistance." The telephone service is available in English and Spanish across the United States, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It features automated, self-service options 24-hours a day, seven days a week with connection to live assistance available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.* The best days to call for more prompt access to live assistance are Tuesday through Friday. The menu of automated options provides basic eligibility and how-to information, as well as the ability to order forms. Customers requiring more or other information are transferred to customer service representatives. More complex inquiries are then transferred to INS information officers. During the next two years, 1-800 services that will be added include checking the status of pending applications, reporting address changes (currently available in California and Florida), and rescheduling fingerprinting and interview appointments. The newly revamped INS website www.ins.usdoj.gov also provides information on INS activities, programs, services and procedures, and includes on-line access to INS forms as well as extensive information on immigration and naturalization benefits and homepages for local INS offices. – INS – *Live assistance is available (Monday through Friday) in Alaska 8 a.m.—5 p.m., Hawaii 8 a.m.—4 p.m., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 9 a.m.—6 p.m.