# § 278. Application of Internet-based technologies
**(a)** **Establishment of tracking system** 8 U.S.C. 1101
The Secretary, not later than 1 year after the effective date of this chapter, in consultation with the Technology Advisory Committee established under subsection (c), shall establish an Internet-based system, that will permit a person, employer, immigrant, or nonimmigrant who has filings with the Secretary for any benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act ( et seq.), access to online information about the processing status of the filing involved.
**(b)** **Feasibility study for online filing and improved processing**
**(1)** **Online filing** The Secretary, in consultation with the Technology Advisory Committee established under subsection (c), shall conduct a feasibility study on the online filing of the filings described in subsection (a). The study shall include a review of computerization and technology of the Immigration and Naturalization Service relating to the immigration services and processing of filings related to immigrant services. The study shall also include an estimate of the timeframe and cost and shall consider other factors in implementing such a filing system, including the feasibility of fee payment online.
**(2)** **Report** A report on the study under this subsection shall be submitted to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate not later than 1 year after the effective date of this chapter.
**(c)** **Technology Advisory Committee**
**(1)** **Establishment** The Secretary shall establish, not later than 60 days after the effective date of this chapter, an advisory committee (in this section referred to as the “Technology Advisory Committee”) to assist the Secretary in—
The Technology Advisory Committee shall be established after consultation with the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
**(A)** establishing the tracking system under subsection (a); and
**(B)** conducting the study under subsection (b).
**(2)** **Composition** The Technology Advisory Committee shall be composed of representatives from high technology companies capable of establishing and implementing the system in an expeditious manner, and representatives of persons who may use the tracking system described in subsection (a) and the online filing system described in subsection (b)(1).
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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 461, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2202.)
## Editorial Notes
### References in Text
The effective date of this chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a), (b)(2), and (c)(1), is 60 days after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .
The Immigration and Nationality Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is , , which is classified principally to chapter 12 (§ 1101 et seq.) of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
### Termination of Advisory Committees
Advisory committees established after , to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a committee established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior to expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a committee established by Congress, its duration is otherwise provided for by law. See , Government Organization and Employees.