Collection and Use of Biometrics by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY <CFR>8 CFR Parts 1, 103, 204, 207, 208, 209, 210, 212, 214, 215, 216, 235, 236, 240, 244, 245, 245a, 264, 287, 333 and 335</CFR> <DEPDOC>[CIS No. 2814-25; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2025-0205]</DEPDOC> <RIN>RIN 1615-AC99</RIN> <SUBJECT>Collection and Use of Biometrics by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services</SUBJECT> <HD SOURCE="HED">AGENCY:</HD> U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS. <HD SOURCE="HED">ACTION:</HD> Notice of proposed rulemaking. <SUM> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUMMARY:</HD> The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to amend its regulations governing biometrics use and collection. DHS proposes to require submission of biometrics by any individual, regardless of age, filing or associated with an immigration benefit request, other request, or collection of information, unless exempted; expand biometrics collection authority upon alien arrest; define “biometrics;” codify reuse requirements; codify and expand DNA testing, use and storage; establish an “extraordinary circumstances” standard to excuse a failure to appear at a biometric services appointment; modify how VAWA self-petitioners and T nonimmigrant status applicants demonstrate good moral character; and clarify biometrics collection purposes. </SUM> <EFFDATE> <HD SOURCE="HED">DATES:</HD> <E T="03">Submission of Public Comments:</E> Written comments on the proposed rule must be submitted on or before January 2, 2026. Comments on the information collection described in the Paperwork Reduction Act section of this proposed rule must be received on or before January 2, 2026. The electronic Federal Docket Management System will accept comments prior to midnight eastern time at the end of that day. </EFFDATE> <HD SOURCE="HED">ADDRESSES:</HD> You may submit comments on the entirety of this proposed rulemaking package, identified by DHS Docket No. USCIS-2025-0205, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: <E T="03">http://www.regulations.gov.</E> Follow the website instructions for submitting comments. Comments must be submitted in English, or an English translation must be provided. Comments that will provide the most assistance to USCIS will reference a specific portion of the proposed rule, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include data, information, or authority that support such recommended change. Comments submitted in a manner other than the one listed above, including emails or letters sent to DHS or USCIS officials, will not be considered comments on the proposed rule and may not receive a response from DHS. Please note that DHS and USCIS will not accept or consider any comments that are hand-delivered, couriered, or sent by mail. In addition, USCIS cannot accept comments contained on any form of digital media storage devices, such as CDs/DVDs and USB drives. If you cannot submit your comment by using <E T="03">http://www.regulations.gov,</E> please contact the Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, by telephone at (240) 721-3000 for alternate instructions. <FURINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:</HD> Security and Public Safety Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, 5900 Capital Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, MD 20746; telephone (240) 721-3000. </FURINF> <SUPLINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:</HD> <HD SOURCE="HD1">Table of Contents</HD> <EXTRACT> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">I. Public Participation</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">II. Executive Summary</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Purpose and Summary of the Regulatory Action</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Summary of Costs and Benefits</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">III. Background and Purpose</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Legal Authority and Guidance for DHS Collection and Use of Biometrics</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Background Checks</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Secure Document Production</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. Biometric Collection From U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, and Lawful Permanent Residents</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">4. Required Biometric Collections</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">5. Administrative Guidance</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. The Use of Biometrics by DHS</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">IV. Discussion of Proposed Changes</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Use of Biometrics for Identity Management and Enhanced Vetting</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Identity Management</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Enhanced and Continuous Vetting</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Verify Identity, Familial Relationships, and Preclude Imposters</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Use of DNA Evidence</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Special Treatment of DNA Evidence</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. Identity Management</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Flexibility in Biometrics Requirements</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Definition of Biometrics</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Additional Modalities</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. Amend Related Regulations To Align With the Purposes of This Proposed Rule and To Facilitate Electronic Filing</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Biometrics Requirement for U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, and Lawful Permanent Residents</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. The International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA)</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. Certain Family-Based Petitioners</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">4. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petitioners</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">5. T Nonimmigrant Adjustment of Status Applicants</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">6. Persons Involved With EB-5 Regional Center Program</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">7. Collection of Biometrics From Other Individuals Associated With a Benefit Request, Other Request, or Collection of Information</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">E. Biometrics Services Appointments and Interviews</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Biometric Services Appointments</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Interviews for Benefits</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. Interviews for Alien Spouses</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">F. Proposed Implementation</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Phased-In Additional Biometrics Collection</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Collection of the Biometric Services Fee</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">G. Evidence of Age and Birth Parentage for an Adopted Child</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">V. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Executive Orders 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review), 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review), and 14192 (Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation)</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">1. Summary</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">2. Background and Purpose of the Proposed Rule</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">3. Population</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">4. Costs and Benefits of the Proposed Rule</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Regulatory Flexibility Act</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Congressional Review Act)</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">E. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">F. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">G. Paperwork Reduction Act</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">H. Family Assessment</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">I. National Environmental Policy Act</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">J. Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments)</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">K. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">L. Executive Order 12630 (Governmental Actions and Interference With Constitutionally Protected Property Rights)</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">M. Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks)</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">N. Executive Order 13211 (Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use)</FP> </EXTRACT> <HD SOURCE="HD1">Table of Abbreviations</HD> <EXTRACT> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">AAC accompanied alien children</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">ABIS Automated Biometric Identification System</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">ADIT Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">APA Administrative Procedure Act</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">ASC Application Support Center</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">AWA Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">BIA Board of Immigration Appeals</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">BCR Biometrics Collection Rate</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">BLS U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">CBP U.S. Customs and Border Protection</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">CFRP Cuban Family Reunification Parole</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">CHRI Criminal History Record Information</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1"> CJIS FBI Criminal Justice Information Services </FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">CNMI Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">CPI-U Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">CPMS Customer Profile Management System</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">DACA Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">DHS Department of Homeland Security </FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">DNA deoxyribonucleic acid</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">DoD U.S. Department of Defense</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">DOJ U.S. Department of Justice</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">DOS U.S. Department of State</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">EAD employment authorization document</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">ELIS Electronic Immigration System</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">EOIR Executive Office for Immigration Review</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">FWVP Filipino World War II Veterans Parole</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">FY Fiscal Year</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">GSA General Services Administration</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-1">HFRP Haitian Family Reunification Parole</FP> <FP SO ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Preview showing 10k of 628k characters. 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