USCIS Has Been Unsuccessful in Automating Naturalization Benefits Delivery

We determined that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) automation of the N-400 Application for Naturalization has not been successful. Specifically, we found that ELIS did not have the critical functionality necessary for end-to-end N-400 processing. The problems in N-400 automation can be attributed to poor program management practices, which have continued since prior ELIS releases. We made 5 recommendations for USCIS to address its training needs, perform a risk-based analysis of all unresolved ELIS technical issues, implement a plan for reducing ELIS technical debt, clearly define agency-wide business goals and objectives, and implement a plan to ensure that ELIS provides USCIS personnel with complete, timely, and accurate data to enable more effective benefits adjudication decisions. USCIS concurred with all 5 of our recommendations.