1. Introduction
USCIS Status Tracker ("the App", "we", "us") is operated by Immigration API. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you use our mobile application.
By using the App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
2. Information We Collect
We collect the following information:
- Account Information: Your name and email address when you create an account.
- Case Data: USCIS receipt numbers that you voluntarily enter to track your immigration cases.
- Device Information: Push notification token (Expo Push Token) to send you status change alerts.
- Language Preference: Your selected language (English, Portuguese, or Spanish).
We do not collect:
- Location data
- Contacts or address book
- Photos, camera, or microphone data
- Financial or payment information
- Social Security numbers or other government IDs
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Create and manage your account
- Query USCIS case status on your behalf
- Send push notifications when your case status changes
- Display your tracked cases and status history
- Send account-related emails (activation codes, password resets)
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We do not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise transfer your data for profit or any other monetary transaction. We do not share de-identified, anonymized, or pseudonymized data with third parties for marketing or advertising purposes.
We share your data only with the following service providers, solely for the purpose of operating the App:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): Data hosting and storage
- Expo (expo.dev): Push notification delivery
- SparkPost: Transactional email delivery (activation codes, password resets)
These third-party service providers are contractually bound to use your information only for the specific services they provide to us. Third-party use or disclosure of your information (including de-identified, anonymized, or pseudonymized data) is prohibited for any reason without your active consent. Each provider is bound by the terms and conditions outlined in this Privacy Policy regarding the handling of your data.
We will never share your data with marketers, data brokers, or any other entities beyond those listed above without your explicit, active consent.
5. Data Storage & Security
Your data is stored on secure servers hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) in the United States. We use industry-standard security measures including:
- Encrypted passwords (bcrypt hashing)
- HTTPS/SSL encryption for all data transmission
- Secure database access controls
6. USCIS Data
Case status information is obtained from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) public API. We only access case information for receipt numbers that you explicitly provide. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to USCIS or the U.S. government.
7. Push Notifications
If you grant notification permissions, we will send push notifications when a tracked case status changes. You can disable notifications at any time through your device settings.
8. Data Retention and Deletion
We retain your data for as long as your account is active. If your account becomes dormant (no login or activity for 24 months), we will notify you via email before taking any action on your data.
Deleting your data:
- You can delete individual tracked cases at any time directly within the App.
- You can request permanent deletion of your entire account and all associated data by emailing [email protected].
- Upon receiving a deletion request, we will permanently delete all your personal data, case data, and account information within 30 days.
- Once deleted, your data cannot be recovered.
9. Your Data-Sharing Choices
You have control over your data:
- Push Notifications: You can opt in or out of push notifications through your device settings at any time. Disabling notifications means you will not receive case status change alerts.
- Email Communications: You will only receive transactional emails (account activation, password resets). We do not send marketing emails.
- Case Data: You choose which receipt numbers to track. You can add or remove cases at any time.
Please note that sharing immigration case information may have an impact on other individuals associated with those cases (e.g., family members listed on the same petition). Only track cases for which you have authorization.
10. Data Breach Notification
In the unlikely event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will:
- Notify you via email within 72 hours of discovering the breach.
- Provide a clear description of what data was affected.
- Explain the steps we are taking to address the breach.
- Provide instructions for any further actions you may need to take to protect yourself.
11. Transfer of Ownership
In the event of a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or transfer of ownership of Immigration API:
- We will notify you via email before your data is transferred to the new entity.
- The new entity's privacy policies must align with the protections described in this Privacy Policy.
- If the new entity's policies do not align, you will be given the option to permanently delete your data before the transfer takes place.
If Immigration API ceases operations, we will notify all users via email and permanently delete all user data within 90 days of the announcement.
12. California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the CCPA:
- Right to Know: You may request details about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you.
- Right to Delete: You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
- Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights.
- Right to Opt-Out of Sale: We do not sell your personal information. No opt-out is necessary.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to verifiable requests within 45 days.
13. Children's Privacy
The App is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
14. Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access your personal data
- Correct inaccurate data
- Request permanent deletion of your data
- Withdraw consent for notifications
- Close your account at any time by emailing [email protected]
- Receive a copy of your data in a portable format upon request
15. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make changes:
- We will notify you via email and/or an in-app notification before the changes take effect.
- We will provide a plain-language summary of what has changed.
- We will request your active consent for material changes to this policy.
- If you do not agree with the updated policy, you may delete your account and data at any time.
16. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, your data, or wish to exercise any of your rights, contact us at:
Email: [email protected]
Website: immigrationapi.com