The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant change to how biometric information is collected from detained immigrants. Under the revised guidelines, USCIS will no longer routinely collect fingerprints, photographs, or other biometrics from individuals in detention unless their case meets specific conditions tied to immigration court proceedings.
The updated policy takes effect immediately and applies to applications that are pending or filed on or after December 5, 2025. The change is aimed at improving operational consistency, reducing unnecessary processing, and aligning biometric collection with the functional needs of immigration courts.
What Has Changed in the USCIS Biometrics Policy?
Under the new directive, USCIS will only collect biometrics from detained or jailed individuals if:
- The person is in removal proceedings, and
- There is a pending request or petition before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)
If a detained individual has applications or petitions pending only with USCIS and not before EOIR, biometrics will generally not be collected while they remain in detention.
Why USCIS Made This Change
USCIS explained that the revision is intended to ensure consistency across immigration functions and to prevent what it described as unnecessary or irrelevant biometric collection. The agency emphasized that it does not support collecting biometrics from detained individuals whose cases are not connected to immigration court proceedings.
The update also clarifies internal procedures for officials and applicants, helping to reduce confusion and administrative burden within the system.
No Current Agreement With ICE
USCIS confirmed that earlier internal guidance suggesting coordination with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for biometric collection in detention facilities is no longer being followed. The agency stated clearly that no formal agreement exists with ICE regarding biometric collection for jailed individuals.
Who Is Affected by the New Rule?
The revised biometrics policy primarily affects:
- Immigrants who are jailed or detained in prisons or detention centers
- Detained individuals who have filed immigration petitions or applications
Not affected: Family members, visitors, or applicants who are not in detention and are applying from outside prison facilities.
What This Means in Practical Terms
In real-life terms, the change means that if a person is detained and has an immigration application pending only with USCIS, they will not have biometrics collected inside the detention facility. Instead, if USCIS schedules a biometrics appointment, the individual may be required to attend it at an Application Support Center (ASC).
If a detainee fails to attend a scheduled biometrics appointment, USCIS may treat the application as abandoned and deny it.
What Detained Applicants Should Do Now
Detained individuals with pending immigration matters should take the following steps:
- Ensure USCIS has the correct mailing address for the detention facility
- Monitor appointment notices and correspondence closely
- Attend scheduled biometrics appointments if feasible
- Seek legal assistance to avoid missing deadlines or required appearances
Potential Impact on Immigration Cases
The revised guidelines may affect a wide range of immigration benefits applications, including asylum requests, changes of status, and employment-related petitions. For detained individuals whose cases are not before EOIR, the lack of biometrics may delay processing, as background checks cannot be completed without biometric data.
Immigration attorneys have noted that this could place some detained applicants in procedural limbo until further guidance is issued or their cases are routed through immigration court.
Conclusion
USCIS’s modification of biometrics guidelines marks a significant shift in how detained immigration cases are handled. By limiting biometric collection to EOIR-related proceedings, the agency aims to streamline processes and reduce unnecessary workload. However, detained immigrants and their legal representatives must remain vigilant, as missed appointments or misunderstandings under the new system could lead to delays or denials. Staying informed and seeking timely legal guidance is now more important than ever.