Naturalization change: ALL AGES must do biometrics

[AK_2014 113]

Heads up:

 

I just ran across a Policy Alert dated 26 July 2017 which states that all ages will now be required to submit biometrics as part of the N-400 application. Here it is below (I changed the formatting a little to emphasize the main points). First, a quick summary:

• age 75+ will now be required to submit biometrics for citizenship
• there will be exceptions/accommodations for disabilities/certain medical conditions
• this applies to citizenship only, and not biometrics for any other USCIS process

 

(Note also: the main USCIS N-400 website, https://www.uscis.gov/n-400, has not yet been updated to reflect this new policy, so who knows how/when it's being implemented...)

 

* * * * * 

https://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/Updates/20170726-NaturalizationBiometrics.pdf

 

July 26, 2017 Policy Alert

SUBJECT: Biometrics Requirements for Naturalization

 

Purpose

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to specify that every naturalization applicant must provide biometrics regardless of age, unless the applicant qualifies for a fingerprint waiver due to certain medical conditions.

 

Background

Since March 1998, USCIS has waived the fingerprint requirements for naturalization applicants age 75 or older because of difficulty in capturing readable fingerprints from this age group. Electronic processing of applications and improved technology now allows USCIS to capture fingerprints for applicants of all ages and enhances the ability to confirm identity and perform required background checks. USCIS will continue to make special arrangements to accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities and homebound or hospitalized applicants. 

 

This policy does not change USCIS guidance on fingerprint waivers for naturalization applicants with disabilities who are unable to provide fingerprints or are unable to provide legible fingerprints. This policy does not change biometrics requirements associated with other immigration benefit applications. This update affects Volume 12, Part B of the Policy Manual. The guidance contained in the Policy Manual is controlling and supersedes any related prior USCIS guidance.

 

Policy Highlights

• Explains that all applicants for naturalization must be fingerprinted regardless of age, except for those who qualify for a fingerprint waiver due to certain medical conditions.

• Affirms that USCIS provides accommodations to meet biometrics requirements for certain applicants who are unable to attend an appointment, to include applicants with disabilities or those who are homebound or hospitalized.

 

Citation

Volume 12: Citizenship & Naturalization, Part B, Naturalization Examination, Chapter 2, Background and Security Checks [12 USCIS-PM B.2]. 

[charmander 692]

This probably only concerns a few percent of the applicants. My guess 2-3% tops. Issue is fingerprints may not be readable for elderly people, due to heavy wrinkles and such. Current law mandates applicants to get police clearance from each town they resided previous 5 years if their biometrics are unreadable. just going to make things harder but I hope it would help them catch few more criminals if that's what they are aiming for. 

[Going through 5,674]

I did always kinda wonder why 75+ applicants were exempt from fingerprinting...boy, that must make them feel really good about themselves when told the reasoning behind it...