The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (Ombudsman’s Office) assists individuals and employers who are unable to resolve problems directly with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). To receive assistance with a problem regarding an application or petition within USCIS, you may submit this form to the Ombudsman’s Office after trying all means to resolve the problem with USCIS. Please note the Ombudsman’s Office cannot provide legal advice. It is an independent office within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is not part of USCIS.
Before You Submit a Request to the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman:
Before asking the Ombudsman’s Office for help with an application or petition, you first should try to resolve the problem with USCIS by using all of the following methods:
- Obtain information about the case at myUSCIS Case Status at www.uscis.gov.
- Contact the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) for assistance at 1-800-375-5283.
- Request assistance from USCIS using their e-Request tool to check on appointment accommodations, typographic errors, delayed delivery of documents, notices or cards by mail or if a pending application is beyond the normal processing times.
- Make an appointment to speak directly with a USCIS Immigration Services Officer at a local office through the InfoPass system. Appointments may be made online at www.infopass.uscis.gov.
General Instructions
- The Ombudsman’s Office does not accept fees.
- If a particular item does not apply to your case assistance request, please leave blank.
- Please attach scanned copies of any documents you received from or sent to USCIS or any other government entity that is related to your request for assistance. Additionally, you may submit other information or documentation that will help the Ombudsman’s Office review your request for assistance.
- This form is not required. However, a properly completed form ensures that the Ombudsman’s Office receives the necessary information to assist with your case. If you do not properly complete the form, you may experience a delay in the process of your request for assistance.
While there is no time limit to complete this form, this form cannot be saved. Your session will time out after 20 minutes of inactivity.
You will need to have the following information available in order to complete this form, if applicable: (1) A-Number; (2) All USCIS receipt numbers related to each application or petition; (3) Documents submitted to or received from USCIS; (4) Attorney/Accredited Representative information, if represented; and (5) Other information or documentation that is important to the case.
--NOTICE--
Please note that while the Ombudsman's Office provides impartial and independent recommendations to USCIS on how to resolve problems, the Ombudsman's Office does not have the statutory authority to make or change USCIS decisions.
DHS Form 7001 - Privacy Act Statement:
Authority: 6 U.S.C. Section 272 authorizes the collection of this information.
Purpose: The Ombudsman’s Office will use the information provided to assist an individual or employer with his or her Case Assistance Request.
Routine Use: The information will be used by and disclosed to DHS personnel and contractors or other agents who need the information to assist in activities related to your Case Assistance Request. DHS may also share the information provided in accordance with the routine uses listed in DHS/CISOMB-001 Virtual Ombudsman System of Records Notice, 75 FR 18857 (April 13, 2010).
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information may delay or prevent the Ombudsman’s Office from providing assistance with your case.
Paperwork Reduction Act Notice:
The public reporting burden to complete this information collection is estimated at one hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the necessary data, and completing and reviewing the collected information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number and expiration date. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman, [e-mail: cisombudsman@hq.dhs.gov; Mailing Address: Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C. 20528-0180], ATTN: PRA OMB 1601-0004.