Patent Publication Number: US-2016239930-A1

Title: ImmigrationAnytime is an App in which a client may prepare legal petitions, namely immigration applications, via a computer interface such as a smart phone or tablet. It is a system that collects,validates data, and transfers them into all the necessary legal forms. The system is designed to perform these functions using an interface that is intuitive and designed to be secure and available at all times from the users smartphone or tablet without needing internet or cellular connection

Description:
ImmigrationAnytime is an App in which a client may prepare legal petitions, namely immigration applications, via a computer interface such as a smart phone or tablet. It is a system that collects, validates data, and transfers them into all the necessary legal forms. The system is designed to perform these functions using an interface that is intuitive and designed to be secure and available at all times from the user&#39;s smartphone or tablet without needing internet or cellular connection. 
     SPECIFICATION 
     Background 
     According to data obtained from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in 2013, the total number of nonimmigrants admitted into The United States was 61,052,260 (Nonimmigrant admissions to the United States: 2013). The total number of people naturalized in The United States in 2013 was 779,929 (U.S. Naturalizations: 2013). The total number of people who became lawful permanent residents of The United States in 2013 was 990,553 (U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents: 2013). Lastly, the total number of people admitted to The United States as refugees in 2013 was 70,000 (Refugees and Asylees: 2013). With president Obama&#39;s 2014 executive action, 4 million work visas could be potentially issued. 
     Every one of the cases references above involves proper completion of one or more government forms. “proper” is the keyword here. If petitions are not completed according to the guidelines and if they are not submitted with the proper filing fee or supporting documentation then there is a good chance that the petition is denied. Petition management systems that are currently available in the market are built for the expert members of the legal community. 
     Petition management systems that are currently available in the market are designed to run entirely on the internet or rely heavily on the internet for user access, user interaction and data storage, and because of that accessing these systems require internet connection. 
     Petition management systems that are currently available in the market do not fit the needs of many people. Most people either do not have ongoing access to the internet because they keep going on/off the grid, they do not trust saving their data onto external data storage facilities, or their data plan does not allow them constant access to the internet. 
     With the increased popularity of smart phones and tablet, most people like to read, play and do work at all times using these devices with or without internet or WiFi connections. Petition management systems that are currently available in the market do not accommodate this. 
     Legal petitions, in most cases, are accompanied with one or more supporting documents. Petition management systems that are currently available in the market facilitate this requirement via time consuming and tedious steps that involve scanning, saving and uploading of documents. 
     Petition management systems that are currently available in the market do not support the more secured biometrics access mechanisms such as, for example, TouchID. There is a need for a petition management system that addresses the above, and other problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide a system that collects, validates data, and transfers them into all the necessary legal forms. The system is designed to perform these functions using a human interface that is easy and intuitive. Further, the system is designed to be secure and available from user&#39;s smartphone or tablet at all times without the need for an internet or cellular connection. 
     The system also provides a secure attorney-client communication channel allowing an attorney to review client data and offer consultation. 
     To that end, in an embodiment, the invention provides an App in which a client may prepare legal petitions, namely immigration applications, via a computer interface without contacting an attorney, optionally transmit petition to an attorney for review, print, sign and file application. 
     In an embodiment, the invention provides a system for creation of accurate and acceptable legal petitions by attorneys, applicants and petitioners that can be submitted to the appropriate governmental authority, such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and U.S. Department of State. 
     In an embodiment, the invention provides the client with hard copies of completed forms which require signature; and with a list of supporting documents to be packaged with the forms prior to submission. 
     In an embodiment, the invention utilizes the Camera and Photo Library of client device to capture and attach supporting documents. 
     In an embodiment, the invention completes all required forms for a given petition. As well, the invention automatically generates exhibits to hold additional information provided by user. 
     In an embodiment, the invention is fully downloaded to client device once, and every time there is an update. Once on client device, the invention runs in standalone mode without the need for further access to the internet until client is ready to print the petition. 
     In an embodiment, the invention operates in environments such as, for example, airplanes and remote areas where there is little to no internet access. 
     In an embodiment, the invention supports a diverse community of users by operating in many languages such as, for example, English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Farsi, French and German. 
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     Brief Description of the Drawings 
       FIG. 1 . illustrates a system with which the invention can be practiced. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the interface that allows user to open an existing petition or create a new one. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a questionnaire interface useful for a client to input data into the system described herein. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates steps a client must take to prepare and file a petition.