May
4, 2000
Revamped
Award-Winning INS Web Site in High Demand,
Providing Fast, Accurate Information to INS Customers
WASHINGTON
A report on the award-winning Immigration and Naturalization
(INS) Web site for the first six months of Fiscal Year 2000 confirms
that the site is becoming one of the hottest in government. In
March 2000, an average of more than 27,000 users each weekday
stayed on the INS Web site an average of 18.5 minutes per visitup
from 13,400 per weekday just over one year ago.
The data
shows that usersnearly 4 million in six monthsfound
the recently overhauled Web site offers a wealth of immigration-related
information. They also downloaded nearly 2.5 million INS forms.
INS Web site
statistics for the first half of FY 2000 show the most frequently
visited feature was Forms, Fees and Fingerprints (1,729,000).
The next most popular destinations were those providing information
on INS policies and procedures under Immigration Services and
Benefits (983,000), and under "Field Offices" (801,000). More
than 537,000 people visited the Laws Regulations and Guides section,
while another 505,000 sought information at the Public Affairs
site.
INS' objective
is to make its site the first stop for people who need timely
and accurate immigration information and forms. The new Web siteINS
Onlineprovides information to help current or intending
immigrants access INS services and benefits and to find out how
and where to file their applications. It also has in-depth information
about INS and its programs that help the public better understand
the agency's mission, goals and accomplishments. In addition,
special sections target the specific information needs of groups
such as historians, genealogists, teachers, students, congressional
staffers, the media, lawyers and immigration interest groups.
INS Online
has received awards for design, content and several of its special
features. The History, Genealogy and Education section won the
Family Favorites Award from Ancestry.com, and was a featured Research
Site of the Month on AOLs Government Guide. In March, USA
Today featured the INS Web site as a "Best Bet for Educators"
and has recognized the site for its "exceptional graphics as well
as unique and interesting content."
The Web site
is featured as a link from many government guides, on resource
portals for educators (especially in U.S. history, civics and
social studies) and immigration specialists, and on lists of useful
links for libraries and librarians.
Customers
who consult the INS Web site first avoid time-consuming calls,
letter writing or visits to INS offices for basic immigration
information and forms, resulting in better, quicker service. Using
the Web site also relieves delays on INS telephone lines
and at local offices because of frequent overloading.
INS
Web Site Monthly User Report for First Half of FY 2000
In March,
more than 776,000 users visited various parts of the INS Web site.
The most frequently visited areas were:
|
March
|
1st
& 2nd Quarter
|
Forms and Fees
|
328,559
|
1,729,418
|
Services and Benefits
|
217,011
|
982,698
|
Field Offices
|
151,181
|
801,446
|
How Do I
?
|
126,654
|
667,448
|
About INS
|
114,845
|
651,950
|
Laws and Regulations
|
91,929
|
537,035
|
Public Affairs
|
96,615
|
504,550
|
During the
first half of FY 2000, 1.3 million visitors downloaded
nearly 2.5 million forms. Forms downloaded and requested include:
- 212,000+
I-765s (Application for Employment Authorization)
- 211,000+
I-130s (Petition for Alien Relative)
- 186,000+
I-9s (Employment Eligibility Verification)
- 146,000+
I-129s (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker)
- 146,000+
I-539s (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status)
- 126,000+
I-131s (Application for Travel Document)
- 121,000+
I-134s (Affidavit of Support)
During the
first half of FY 2000, more than 686,000 visits to individual
INS field offices were recorded, including:
- 226,000+
to the four INS Service Centers
- 44,000+
to the Los Angeles District Office
- 39,000+
to the New York District Office
- 30,000+
to the San Francisco District Office
- 26,000+
to the Chicago District Office
- 23,000+
to the San Jose Sub Office
- 23,000+
to the Newark District Office
- 22,000+
to the Atlanta District Office
- 21,000+
to the Miami District Office
|