This month we take a look back at some of the new and interesting features showing up on government web sites.

One of the better uses of the INS web site is the online naturalization self-test at http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/exec/natz/natztest.asp. Applicants for American citizenship must pass an exam in American history and government. The INS has placed an online, interactive study guide on its web site to help people study for their citizenship test.

The online INS test is set up in a multiple choice format. During the actual exam, however, the INS officer will not offer multiple choices. But, the examiner will ask questions from the same list of questions as the online test. In any case, the site will help in learning the necessary information.

When one goes to the Self-Test page, she will be asked to push a button to generate questions. Readers will then see five questions on the test's question list. After choosing answers, the reader then clicks "review" and can see the correct answers.

The State Department's Belgrade consulate has also contributed something unique to the Internet's array of immigration resources. Visitors to the site can now find an online help section to help people figure out the new I-864 Affidavits of Support. The page is geared to people of any country, not just Serbians.

The I-864 help page is located at http://www.amembbg.co.yu/consular/i864/i864-1.html. On the first page, readers will find a graphical image of the I-864 form. The form is really an image map and one can click on any question on the form to get more information. The major drawback of the site is the very limited nature of the answers provided. For example, part 4b of the form asks whether in the last three years the sponsor has received means-tested public benefits. Rather than explain what "means-tested benefits" actually means, the annotation simply states "Do NOT skip this part!" This is hardly useful information. The site does have a very helpful Question and Answer document on Form I-864. It might be more helpful to incorporate more of that information into the annotated form or provide links back to the appropriate part of the Q & A document.

Another site we came across this month that we found interesting (and amusing) is the INS' new US Border Patrol Employment Page (http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/borderpatrol/default.htm). The INS has been aggressively recruiting to fill 2,000 slots in the Border Patrol. The INS has obviously hired a skilled advertising firm since the extremely attractive web site makes working in the Border Patrol seem like a vacation in Tahiti - beautiful pictures of sunsets, the ocean, kayaking, cowboys, etc. The site describes the Border Patrol with lofty descriptions like "Border patrol agents are traditionally known for the intense loyalty and their esprit de corp" and "Some agents say Border Patrol is the best job in the world." Best job in the world? Really?

There is some useful information including details on the specific requirements to join the Border Patrol, sample questions from the qualifying exams, an online job application and a detailed question and answer document.

Actually, we should not be sarcastic about the page. The INS has done a nice job with the page and private employers can emulate the INS their recruiting pages. If I were thinking about joining the Border Patrol, the site would be an important resource.

One might wonder, however, why, with 1000s of positions in INS adjudications remaining unfilled around the US and immigration and citizenship applications getting further and further behind, the INS is not making a similar push on its site to find qualified administrative workers. Once again, the INS adjudications function takes the back seat to enforcement. Perhaps this is more evidence why its time to formally split the INS into an adjudications agency and an enforcement agency?