USCIS struggled with fragmented legacy systems that required duplicate biometric data collection. This caused inefficient workflows, redundant Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background checks, and poor user experiences.
The agency processes an enormous volume of identity verifications daily. They:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, USCIS’ legacy appointment scheduling system couldn't account for new capacity limits. This forced staff to resort to manual workarounds. Manual processes were required for hundreds of data correction tickets weekly, with crucial data refreshing only twice daily rather than in real time.
Fearless implemented a comprehensive modernization strategy for USCIS' biometrics ecosystem, connecting the National Appointment Scheduling System (NASS) and Customer Profile Management System (CPMS) through an integrated approach.
We implemented cloud-based architecture with:
This allowed us to deliver a solution that maintained security and compliance while dramatically improving operational efficiency.
We created intuitive dashboards for viewing and reusing biometric data. Previously, USCIS employees used Excel to manually analyze biometrics. This often required applicants to provide fingerprints and photos multiple times along their immigration journey.
To streamline this process, we built Tableau dashboards that display all biometrics vetting requests in one easy spot. The dashboards make it clear when applicants can reuse biometrics and when they need to provide new data at an ASC. This eliminated the need for redundant FBI background checks and unnecessary appointments.
We developed automated data correction with improved integrity. Before our solution, USCIS staff submitted hundreds of tickets weekly to edit CPMS records via a SharePoint site, requiring significant manual labor.
We designed and implemented Form G-1273, an automated process that puts data editing capabilities back in the hands of approved users. This streamlined approach auto-populates edit requests and adds data integrity by validating information. This eliminates the need for tracking changes manually and ultimately decreases application processing times.
We implemented modern data infrastructure with improved refresh rates. The previous systems refreshed data only twice daily, preventing real-time decision-making. Our solution implemented near real-time data refresh (every 30 minutes) through Databricks integration.
NASS data infrastructure was modernized using Amazon Aurora with PostgreSQL 12.4. This delivered:
This foundation supports the replacement of many legacy services that had become too complex and difficult to maintain.
One of the most significant impacts of our work was building secure integration points between USCIS and key law enforcement partners.
The Customer Profile Management System (CPMS) we supported serves as a centralized repository for benefit requestor data that multiple federal agencies can securely query.
We built secure connections to FBI fingerprint and background check systems. The CPMS centralized repository is queried by the FBI and the Department of Defense to support background checks and fingerprint verifications.
We implemented open-source encryption protocols using OpenSSL libraries to ensure that personally identifiable information (e.g., driver's licenses and fingerprints) remains secure and uncompromised throughout the authentication process.
We developed specialized dashboards for FBI and DHS operations. We created fingerprinting and background check dashboards for the FBI that have driven significant improvements in their business and application processes.
We also built a dashboard for the Department of Homeland Security that enhances information sharing between the United States and partner countries like Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
These dashboards transformed static, outdated reporting processes into dynamic, daily-updated visualizations that support informed decision-making across agency boundaries.
We eliminated redundant processes across agencies. By centralizing biometric data collection and implementing secure API connections, we dramatically reduced duplicate work across federal agencies.
Our system eliminated the need for multiple fingerprint capture through the LiveScan systems. This reduced program management costs while delivering a more user-friendly experience for both the adjudicators and benefit requestors.
This modernization project has transformed how USCIS manages millions of identity verification records, while simultaneously enhancing collaboration with key law enforcement and national security partners. Our work established secure, efficient connections between vital government systems that continue to streamline operations and improve security across agency boundaries.
This announcement was published independently of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This release does not constitute or imply an endorsement by USCIS or the United States Government of the product, process, or service, or its producer or provider. The views and opinions expressed in any referenced document do not necessarily state or reflect those of USCIS or the United States Government.