A new rule proposed by the Department of Homeland Security would expand the use of biometric data and collection for immigrants.
The rule — proposed this week — would require immigrants to submit biographic data like fingerprints and DNA when applying for a range of immigration benefits with Citizenship and Immigration Services. If it goes into effect, the rule could also apply to U.S. citizens and legal residents who are applying for family-based visas.
Some biometric data is already required for certain benefits — like for people becoming U.S. citizens. And DHS is also allowed to ask for certain data for other benefits. But under the new rule, DHS would require biometrics for any applicant, petitioner, sponsor, supporter or anyone associated with the request — including children.
Members of the public are able to submit comments about the rule until January.
-
The ruling comes a day after news broke of the government’s plan to offer legal aid to detained immigrant children through a $150 million contract Burke Law Group — a small Texas-based firm with a co-founder who is a former Trump appointee. -
A notice posted on the Federal Register this week details a $150 million government contract with Burke Law Group to represent unaccompanied immigrant children. A multimillion-dollar contact with nonprofits across the country to do the work expired Friday. -
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is supposed to help people during disasters like floods and fires. But a new report finds the Trump administration diverted FEMA staff at key times to do something very different — help ICE in immigration enforcement. -
The DACA program turned 14 this year. The Obama-era initiative is supposed to give some undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children a work permit and temporary protection from deportation. But community members say that’s no longer the case under President Donald Trump. -
Some 20,000 children alone in the US receive legal aid through the contract — part of a federal program established by Congress almost two decades ago. The contract to do that work expires July 31.
