CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte is one of only half a dozen cities nationwide to launch a new initiative aimed at cutting down the wait times to become a U.S. citizen.
- Green Card applications can now file for citizenship or renew their card from a phone or tablet.
- An estimated 20,000 people in the state are seeking to become lawful, permanent residents.
- Learn more here.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services say they've gone digital. Applicants can file for citizenship or renew a green card from a phone or tablet, and can then check the status of a case online -- instead of going to the field office in Charlotte.
“It just gives them more ways to see where they are in the process,” USCIS Public Affairs Officer Pamela Wilson says. "There are many other forms of interacting with our agency that would help them in never having to leave their home."
It's a tool than can help an estimated 20,000 people in North Carolina seeking to become lawful permanent residents each year.
Local legal experts say it’s a way to treat the most urgent cases first.
"USCIS is trying to do a triage system where they try to figure out who would best be served by an in-office visit,” immigration attorney Andres Lopez says. “There are certain people who need to get to a USCIS office, with more urgency. And so it helps them to prioritize who needs to see an officer in person."
You can also use an online tool to estimate how long it will take to process your application and more here.
