USCIS Modifies Its Policy on the Collection of Biometrics for Individuals in Custody
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated Volume 1, Part C of its Policy Manual with the aim of discouraging frivolous filings and ensuring greater uniformity in its procedures. The new directive establishes that the Department of Homeland Security will generally not collect biometric data from detained foreign nationals unless they are in removal proceedings and have a pending case before the Executive Office for Immigration Review. This policy takes effect immediately and applies to both already filed and future applications.
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The update reaffirms that USCIS does not authorize the collection of biometrics from detained or incarcerated foreign nationals—whether in DHS facilities or those of other agencies—who have a petition or immigration application pending directly with USCIS. It also removes older guidance that suggested any type of formal coordination with ICE for these procedures, clarifying that no such operational agreement exists.
Likewise, the agency confirms that, as a general practice, it will continue to deny for abandonment those applications whose applicants fail to appear for their biometric appointments at an Application Support Center. Compliance with these appointments remains an essential requirement in most immigration processes.
USCIS emphasizes that this updated guidance, officially incorporated into its Policy Manual, is binding in nature and supersedes any prior instructions related to the collection of biometric data from detained individuals.
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