Published: September 9, 2013
Although originally intended for implementation in May, a new biometric security program known as “Customer Identity Verification” has finally been put into action this week at U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) local offices across the U.S. Specifically, applicants for U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence who arrive for their scheduled citizenship or green card interviews at a local CIS office will be greeted by a CIS official instructing them to first line up for additional fingerprinting and image capturing (again) for the purpose of confirming applicant identity, preventing identity fraud, and overall, promoting national security. The prints and photo will be compared to images and data previously collected during the applicant’s earlier biometrics appointment appearance at a CIS Application Support Center. Based on the delays and longer lines I witnessed at CIS Chicago with the launch of this program this week, I advise all applicants to appear for their green card or citizenship interviews at least 30 minutes early.
PUBLISHED September 9, 2013 – “IMMIGRATION LAW FORUM” Copyright © 2013, By Law Offices of Richard Hanus, Chicago, Illinois