USCIS to Implement Customer Identity Verification at Field Offices

[bigdog 376]

USCIS to Implement Customer Identity Verification at Field Offices

On Monday, May 6, 2013, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement Customer Identity Verification (CIV) in its field offices. Individuals will now be required to submit biometric data, specifically fingerprints and photographs, when appearing at USCIS offices for interviews or to receive evidence of an immigration benefit. CIV will help to both defend against threats to national security and protect customers from identity fraud by enhancing the agency’s ability to verify identity.

Currently, USCIS requires applicants and petitioners requesting immigration or naturalization benefits to visit one of our Application Support Centers (ASCs) to provide biometric data. USCIS uses this data to help determine eligibility for requested benefits. This requirement, along with providing a government-issued document for examination, will not change.

For CIV, an individual appearing at a USCIS field office for an interview or to be issued evidence of an immigration benefit will have his or her identity biometrically re-verified. Examples of evidence include temporary travel documents, parole authorizations, temporary extensions of Form I-90, and temporary I-551 stamps on passports or on Forms I-94 to evidence lawful permanent resident status. Individuals coming to USCIS field offices for other purposes, such as an Infopass appointment or as the guest of an applicant or petitioner, will not submit biometric data.

Under this new process, staff will take two fingerprints and a photograph of the individual and input this information into the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology’s (US-VISIT’s) Secondary Inspections Tool (SIT). SIT is a Web-based application that processes, displays and retrieves biometric and biographic data. US-VISIT also links databases associated with border inspections and security. After identity verification is satisfactorily completed, individuals will proceed to their interviews or be issued their immigration documents.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog The Beacon.

[TBoneTX 45,304]

If a U.S. citizen shows up to ask questions, USCIS had sure better not require biometric information or even dream of asking for it.

[bigdog 376]

If a U.S. citizen shows up to ask questions, USCIS had sure better not require biometric information or even dream of asking for it.

Sounds like that to me, sound like they are pretty suspicious of the people in our country, but not those who get here illegally and apply for the DA.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Yep, kinda makes me wonder.

Let's see if I understand this new nonsense correctly. So, when my wife (LPR), stepson (LPR), and I (USC) jointly apply for our ROC and have an interview scheduled at the local office of the Department of Homeland (In)Security, ALL of us will have to have our biometrics "captured" (USCIS term) when we show up for the interview?

If a U.S. citizen shows up to ask questions, USCIS had sure better not require biometric information or even dream of asking for it.

Si, man.

[TBoneTX 45,304]

Let's see if I understand this new nonsense correctly. So, when my wife (LPR), stepson (LPR), and I (USC) jointly apply for our ROC and have an interview scheduled at the local office of the Department of Homeland (In)Security, ALL of us will have to have our biometrics "captured" (USCIS term) when we show up for the interview?

I've read this again several times, and it seems to be vaguely (=poorly) worded. If they were to begin to take biometrics of USCs, what records would they have to compare it against?

They won't even talk to us (USCs) over the phone about our beneficiary's AOS packages without the beneficiary's being on the phone at the same time. Same for ROC. That's because it's the IMMIGRANT who's applying for the benefits. We're the "petitioner" only for the initial I-129F or I-130 filing.

I think that this all applies to anyone BELOW the level of USC. Not even 0bama, let alone his jack-booted thugs, could get away just yet with ordering biometrics from USCs without Constitutional cause. They don't yet have enough power over us to pull anything like this, and the uproar if they tried it now would not be pleasant. I return to thinking that the above announcement is simply worded very poorly. Thoughts, huh man?

Edited April 11, 2013 by TBoneTX

[Pitaya 2,577]

I've read this again several times, and it seems to be vaguely (=poorly) worded. If they were to begin to take biometrics of USCs, what records would they have to compare it against?

They won't even talk to us (USCs) over the phone about our beneficiary's AOS packages without the beneficiary's being on the phone at the same time. Same for ROC. That's because it's the IMMIGRANT who's applying for the benefits. We're the "petitioner" only for the initial I-129F or I-130 filing.

I think that this all applies to anyone BELOW the level of USC. Not even 0bama, let alone his jack-booted thugs, could get away just yet with ordering biometrics from USCs without Constitutional cause. They don't yet have enough power over us to pull anything like this, and the uproar if they tried it now would not be pleasant. I return to thinking that the above announcement is simply worded very poorly. Thoughts, huh man?

Si, man.

Certainly poorly worded by some mindless bureaucrat (that is in dire need of a dope slap ) in the Department of Homeland (In)Security. Agree, there should certainly be a constitutional uproar about this possible violation of the Fourth Amendment. I gotta think that even the ACLU would have a problem with this nonsense as it relates to USC.

I guess that we will have to sit back, eating our bag of popcorn, and see how this apparent further constitutional intrusion on citizen rights is played out. Heck, I may even want to stir the pot and send the DHS announcement to my elected Federal officials (and/or the ACLU), for some chuckles. I have no reservation about contacting my Federal-elected officials, having already done so on immigration issues, on returning dialed veteran issues, and the current gun (un) control issues. It is all about checks and balances. Si man.

Stay tuned, details at 10.

[Pitaya 2,577]

*Correction: disabled veterans.

[bigdog 376]

Yep, let see if any members visit after the start date, for a first hand report.

[toogroove 3]

'We have an appointment on Monday b/c they shipped my husband's ROC card to an address where we don't live . Actually, kind of hoping they do verify his biometrics so we can prove his identity, resolve this #######, get the 10 year green card, apply to nationalize and be done with CIS FOREVER!!!!! Will let you know what happens.

Edited April 13, 2013 by toogroove

[TBoneTX 45,304]

We have an appointment on Monday [...] Will let you know what happens.

If you get a chance, ask them about this new policy, and find out if it applies to USCs, too, or if it's merely poorly worded and the reference to "petitioner" applies purely to an immigrant. Thanks, si man.

[toogroove 3]

We went for an infopass appointment today. I asked about biometrics verification and if they had the ability do it at the ATL field office. The CIS officer we spoke with had no clue what I was talking about and said, 'we don't have it here'. I told her I read about it in the news and I got a blank stare. Seems they haven't met the deadline in the ATL.

[TBoneTX 45,304]

I got a blank stare. Seems they haven't met the deadline in the ATL.

Interesting; thanks. It could be a case of Headquarters decreeing something that blindsides the troops in the field.

[Martyshk 137]

You guys are right, this: "Individuals coming to USCIS field offices for other purposes, such as an Infopass appointment or as the guest of an applicant or petitioner, will not submit biometric data." is a little vague, but... there's NO way, and I repeat, NO WAY, they'll ever dare take fingerprints of a United States Citizen.

[JohnR! 5,495]

You guys are right, this: "Individuals coming to USCIS field offices for other purposes, such as an Infopass appointment or as the guest of an applicant or petitioner, will not submit biometric data." is a little vague, but... there's NO way, and I repeat, NO WAY, they'll ever dare take fingerprints of a United States Citizen.

In fact, there is no reason for that, unless you can think of any immigration benefit a US citizen might seek...

The new procedure is just to ensure individuals are who they are supposed to be when seeking immigration benefits. The USCIS already collects biometrics, and interestingly enough, you will find many individuals in these fora who are anxioius to get their biometrics done and their process moving...

On Monday, May 6, 2013, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement Customer Identity Verification (CIV) in its field offices. Individuals will now be required to submit biometric data, specifically fingerprints and photographs, when appearing at USCIS offices for interviews or to receive evidence of an immigration benefit. CIV will help to both defend against threats to national security and protect customers from identity fraud by enhancing the agency’s ability to verify identity.

Currently, USCIS requires applicants and petitioners requesting immigration or naturalization benefits to visit one of our Application Support Centers (ASCs) to provide biometric data. USCIS uses this data to help determine eligibility for requested benefits. This requirement, along with providing a government-issued document for examination, will not change.

For CIV, an individual appearing at a USCIS field office for an interview or to be issued evidence of an immigration benefit will have his or her identity biometrically re-verified. Examples of evidence include temporary travel documents, parole authorizations, temporary extensions of Form I-90, and temporary I-551 stamps on passports or on Forms I-94 to evidence lawful permanent resident status. Individuals coming to USCIS field offices for other purposes, such as an Infopass appointment or as the guest of an applicant or petitioner, will not submit biometric data.

[Martyshk 137]

In fact, there is no reason for that, unless you can think of any immigration benefit a US citizen might seek...

The new procedure is just to ensure individuals are who they are supposed to be when seeking immigration benefits. The USCIS already collects biometrics, and interestingly enough, you will find many individuals in these fora who are anxioius to get their biometrics done and their process moving...

On Monday, May 6, 2013, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement Customer Identity Verification (CIV) in its field offices. Individuals will now be required to submit biometric data, specifically fingerprints and photographs, when appearing at USCIS offices for interviews or to receive evidence of an immigration benefit. CIV will help to both defend against threats to national security and protect customers from identity fraud by enhancing the agency’s ability to verify identity.

Currently, USCIS requires applicants and petitioners requesting immigration or naturalization benefits to visit one of our Application Support Centers (ASCs) to provide biometric data. USCIS uses this data to help determine eligibility for requested benefits. This requirement, along with providing a government-issued document for examination, will not change.

For CIV, an individual appearing at a USCIS field office for an interview or to be issued evidence of an immigration benefit will have his or her identity biometrically re-verified. Examples of evidence include temporary travel documents, parole authorizations, temporary extensions of Form I-90, and temporary I-551 stamps on passports or on Forms I-94 to evidence lawful permanent resident status. Individuals coming to USCIS field offices for other purposes, such as an Infopass appointment or as the guest of an applicant or petitioner, will not submit biometric data.

Yeah, pretty much. If anything, this might streamline the process for the immigrants.