Posted on: Sunday, December 5, 2004

Immigration forms now handled via mail

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i applicants filing some of the most common immigration forms must now submit them by mail to a new Chicago address instead of giving them to the Honolulu district office.

The affected applications:

• Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

• Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials said in the announcement that the new "Direct Mail" program, the first phase of which took effect on Wednesday, is aimed at helping the agency handle applications and fees more efficiently.

Hawai'i is one of the states and territories making the change in the first phase. Applicants who live in 14 states will begin Direct Mail on April 1: Alaska, California, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Washington.

Permanent residents sending forms and supporting documentation by regular mail should address them to:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
P.O. Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120

The street address for those sending by private courier:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
427 S. LaSalleiThird Floor
Chicago, IL 60605-1098