Are cell phones and tablets permitted inside uscis buildings?

[Doodles08 6]

Yay? Nay?

[Larry71 4]

Nay!

Prohibited Items

Rules and regulations governing public buildings and grounds can be found at Title 41, Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 101-20.3 and Title 18, United States Code, Section 930. Additionally, this office prohibits:

• Scissors, Razors, and Other Sharp Objects
• Flammable Liquids
• Cameras (including cell phones with cameras)
• Recording Devices (including cell phones with recording capabilities)
• Animals (except service animals)
• Food or Beverages

[Doodles08 6]

Updates 1Resources 0

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Visitors of USCIS facilities may be permitted to possess cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and tablets​. However, ​USCIS customers receiving services in facilities not controlled by USCIS ​should​ ​abide by cell phone policies established by the facility.​

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Customers may not use ​camera and recording capab​le ​devices (including cell phones) at a USCIS office except when observing naturalization or citizenship ceremonies.​ In addition, c​ell phones should be silenced while in the waiting area and any conversations should be kept to a low level ​so as not to disrupt others.​Customers must ​completely turn off ​a​ll phones during interviews or while being served by USCIS staff at the information counter.​

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To ensure successful implementation of this guidance, USCIS ​field office​s are encouraged to:​

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Ensure all employees (f​ederal and contract) are aware of the cell phone usage policies and the prohibition against using any type of device to take ​photographs ​inside USCIS common areas except during naturalization ceremonies​;​

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Ensure all visitors are informed of the cell phone usage policies and prohibition against using any type of device to take ​photographs​ ​inside USCIS common areas (for example, waiting rooms, or restrooms),​ ​unless to record naturalization ceremonies; and​

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Display posters and signage regarding this guidance in common areas.​

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Appendix: USCIS Customer Dissatisfaction Terms and Definitions​

​

[Doodles08 6]

But wait, the confusion continues!

Jacksonville office rules....

Prohibited Items

Rules and regulations governing public buildings and grounds can be found at Title 41, Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 101-20.3 and Title 18, United States Code, Section 930. Additionally, this office prohibits:

Scissors, Razors and Other Sharp ObjectsFlammable LiquidsScrewdriversPepper SprayRecording DevicesCamera (except for naturalization ceremonies)

[TBoneTX 43,175]

*** Thread is moved from the US Citizenship main forum to the General Immigration Discussion forum. ***

[Doodles08 6]

So the uscis site doesn't specificaly mention cell phones. I think the best bet is NOT to bring one. I only need it to call a taxi afterwards, no great conspiracy here.

[Larry71 4]

Nay!

Prohibited Items

Rules and regulations governing public buildings and grounds can be found at Title 41, Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 101-20.3 and Title 18, United States Code, Section 930. Additionally, this office prohibits:

• Scissors, Razors, and Other Sharp Objects
• Flammable Liquids
• Cameras (including cell phones with cameras)
• Recording Devices (including cell phones with recording capabilities)
• Animals (except service animals)
• Food or Beverages

These are the rules for my local office in WA state. I guess different offices have different rules. Check with your local office for their policy.

[kiwibean 42]

I had my biometrics done in Boston this month. There was a sign saying no *use* of cell phones. I saw a few people using their cell phones to text or play games.

People were talking on their cell phone as they left the building, and I saw someone else step out to take a call.

I also (accidentally) went through security at the main Boston USCIS office, and no-one took my cellphone from me, or mentioned it. I did have to put my bag through an x-ray, and walk through a metal detector.

[Ash.1101 1,755]

I'd say Nay. While some USCIS offices may be more passive, others may not be. Here in San Antonio at my husbands Biometrics, they would be on anyone that pulled out their phones. They were watching and they wouldn't ask them to put them up in their purses or put them away in the office, they would tell them to put them in the car. Luckily we never brought ours in, but the people that did got an ear full.

[NikLR 13,220]

The ASC office here had a big sign that said no cell phones.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

And if you are going to leave your phone in your car, please take out the battery.

It could explode..just fyi

[3rd 84]

we brought our phones to the interview with us, and they went through the scanner, but we weren't allowed to use them inside. Think this is a pretty standard practise for USCIS offices. I'd double check your local office to make sure because the last thing you'd need would be to have to run back to your car to leave your phone there.

[Doodles08 6]

As some of you have mentioned I think it's best to call the office.

[Ejoriah 4]

I had my biometrics today. The officer at the security check asked me to leave my phone in the car... I told him that I had taken public transit over, so he told me to just turn my phone completely off. It got scanned through the xray and I just left it in my purse and didn't look at it until I was out of the building 30 minutes later.

[Doodles08 6]

I'm in the same boat as you in that I'm taking a taxi there and wamt to be able to call one when I'm finished.