30 Day Public Comment Matrix

Form G-1595-001 NEW - Responses to 30-day FRN Public Comments
Public Comments (regulations.gov): USCIS-2023-0017-0001
30-Day FRN Citation (Federalregister.gov): 89 FR 25891
Publish Dates: April 14, 2024 – May 13, 2024
Comment
#
1.

Commenter Comment
ID
0007
Commenter: RUE Technology LLC
I would like to request that, upon approval of the
application, the developer be given proof that the
application is authorized to use the API and that
USCIS has approved the application through a
formal review process.

2.

0008

USCIS Response

Response:
USCIS provides any party
interested in the agency’s APIs
information and documentation
on the USCIS Torch API
Platform at
http://developer.uscis.gov. The
Recently, the Google Play Store took severe
USCIS API platform allows
action against several immigration applications
developers to integrate their
that were providing USCIS case information,
business solutions with USCIS
automated checking, and notifying users of
services.
changes to their case. These apps are a convenient The access, participation,
and crucial tool for countless users to keep track
development, and approval
of the progress of their immigration status.
process for the Torch API
Google claimed that the applications were
platform are governed by USCIS
violating impersonation policies by using titles
and provide participants with
such as "Case Tracker for USCIS Cases" and for
access only to USCIS controlled
providing functionality that is the ultimate goal of services. USCIS does not assist
this API (see attached). Google has not yet
participants in compliance
reinstated these apps, and without providing
requirements on other platforms
documentation proving that the apps are allowed
or domains, including
to provide this functionality, it is doubtful that
commercial entities or application
Google will change their stance.
clearing houses.
As we work to increase API
The approval process put in place by USCIS to
options, we welcome additional
access the API will ensure that applications have
interest and participation in the
undergone a formal review by USCIS. Along with APIs currently available.
this approval, a form should be provided, proving Currently we give specific and
USCIS's review and approval, which can be given written approval notification to
to publishers or third parties who suspect the app developers on our API platform.
of accessing unauthorized USCIS functionality.
Without documentation that can be provided to
another party, it will be difficult to support that
approved applications are allowed to use the
functionality provided by the API and that their
application was signed off by the USCIS
department
Commenter: NALEO Educational Fund
Response: NOTE: The commenter
submitted their comment in letter format and
See attached letter at this link 0008.
uploaded the letter as an attachment at this
link 0008 .

USCIS acknowledges the letter
from NALEO.

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