With more and more technological advancements being made every day in the United States, the government is starting to use high-tech machines in order to get more accomplished. Beginning in May 2013, immigrants will need to use some of these high-tech machines and identification systems in order to get some of the paper work that they may need for assistance in getting a green card.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), next month they will be implementing the Customer Identity Verification at field offices all across the United States. The USCIS handles all sorts of immigration issues including naturalization, green cars, and permanent residency requests. All immigrants that are trying to gain a legal entry into the United States need to visit these field offices in order to get the documents and cards that they desire.
The new system that will be set up in these offices is going to require people to submit biometric data upon entry. When the immigrants come into the office, they will be fingerprinted and may be required to pause for photographs. As well, there are times that the people will need to submit government-issued documentation when applicable. No matter what business is being handled, this will become standard procedure for most individuals.
The USCIS issued a press release which declares that the CIV will help to defend against threats to national security. As well, the USCIS thinks that collecting all of this biometric data will protect customers from becoming victims of identity fraud. This is because the new initiative will ensure that the agency has the ability to verify a person's identity. Because identity theft is a common issue in this day and age, this new arrangement will benefit a variety of immigrants as they apply for documentation that could be stolen by others.
The USCIS is not requiring biometric data for the first time. In fact, the USCIS already requires that all immigrants provide biometric data to the government agency before conducting business. Instead, this new requirement will force all immigrants to have that data collected on-site using high-tech machines, rather than at other locations. Right now, all immigrants need to go to Application Support Centers in order to have biometric data collected.
The new requirements will call for an individual who appears at the USCIS field office for an interview to have his or her identity biometrically re0verified every time. Also, any time that an immigrant visits the office in order to obtain immigration benefits such as a green card, he or she will have to have that data re-verified. This will ensure that people are not selling their green cards or immigration information to others.
People who go to a federal immigration office and are just accompanying another person will not need to provide the biometric data that is required for applicants. For example, if you are taking your daughter to the USCIS to get a student visa, then you will not have to have biometric data collected in most circumstances. However, your daughter will need to submit to the biometric data collections procedures. You may be curious as to what happens to this data. According to Fox News, it will all be put into databases which will track people.
Those who have temporary visas will be closely watched to make sure that they do not overstay their welcome in the United States. This is because at present about half of all illegal immigrants in the United States are overstays. The new biometric data will make it easier to track overstays and punish them for their crime.
The initiative is actually a benefit to most immigrants, who believe that this is one step closer to the immigration reform that has been debated in the White House and Congress for weeks now. Contact an immigration attorney if you have more questions about biometric data collection or are dealing with a difficult immigration case and need representation.