USCIS services requiring biometric data collection

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in charge of receiving, reviewing, and responding to immigration applications. With this, we mean that the USCIS reviews applications of any kind, from humanitarian programs such as political asylum or refuge, to visa programs for highly qualified foreign workers.

In addition to reviewing applications from foreigners planning to come to the US for the first time, the USCIS also responds to requests for residency or visa extension, requests for adjustment of immigration status to become a Lawful Permanent Resident or American citizen, requests for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for individuals already residing within the country, inter alia.

Many of today’s immigration processes require the collection of biometric data. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Face photographs.
• Personal signature.
• Fingerprints.

Also, it is important to clarify that there are processes, mainly when foreigners already reside in the US and want to renew or change their immigration status, that require updating of biometric data at the USCIS’ Application Support Centers (ASC).

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The global pandemic delayed the collection of biometric data

The massive outbreak of Coronavirus in the US forced federal entities and the Trump administration to use strict emergency measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. For instance, the USCIS closed its offices for a considerable period of time, substantially delaying pending immigration processes and leaving thousands of foreigners in limbo.

Adding to that, the Trump administration almost completely paused immigration for several months, banning foreigners from entering the US.

After the USCIS offices reopened, following protection and hygiene protocols recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), services are severely delayed and there is a large backlog of immigration cases, increasing waiting times for applicants.

As a result, many foreigners who had appointments scheduled to update biometric data, even before the massive COVID-19 outbreak in the North American territory, have not been able to complete their immigration processes due to USCIS delays.

In fact, according to DHS comments, as of mid-December 2020, there were approximately 1.3 million pending immigration applications due to unavailability to schedule appointments to update biometric data.

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The USCIS implements strategies to respond to immigration requests

During the last week of December 2020, immigration officials commented for the first time about delays in the USCIS processes and the current situation at the ASC facilities to update biometric data.

The USCIS stated that the global Coronavirus pandemic significantly delayed immigration processes. Adding to that, some ASCs have temporarily closed due to state government orders, weather conditions, and other circumstances that put USCIS employees and applicants at risk.

Therefore, the USCIS stated that it will reuse biometric data for most immigration applications that only need to complete that step to be approved. However, it is important to clarify that not all cases will meet requirements to reuse biometric data and the USCIS will notify applicants about the steps they must take to expedite immigration processes.

Contact Motion Law for your immigration case

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.