USCIS has published policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address how to provide mobile biometrics services. The purpose of the new guidance is to reduce barriers for benefit applicants who are unable to keep appointments at Application Assistance Centers to provide biometric data, such as fingerprints, required for certain benefit applications. The guide describes the circumstances in which mobile biometrics services can be offered and when the services of other agencies closer to the applicant's address can be used:

1. Remote Locations: USCIS may, in its sole discretion, provide mobile biometric data collection services to those residing in remote locations within the United States who are unable to attend scheduled ASC appointments in person.

If USCIS determines that it cannot provide mobile biometric data collection services due to an individual's remote location, USCIS may, at its discretion, coordinate with local law enforcement agencies (LEAs) or other DHS components to collect data biometrics on behalf of USCIS.

2. Ppeople detained:  USCIS does not grant requests to collect biometric data from persons in custody at correctional institutions. Therefore, USCIS officers and contract personnel do not travel to non-DHS jails, prisons, or similar detention facilities to conduct biometric collections of detained or incarcerated persons (including applicants, petitioners, beneficiaries derivatives, sponsors, or other applicants, regardless of their immigration status or country of citizenship).

In the case of an incarcerated person, USCIS officers must continue to follow all applicable rules and procedures when issuing ASC notices to those whose appearance is required for the collection of biometric data. Under the intradepartmental agreement, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) is responsible for completing background and security checks for those who are incarcerated at the facility. from DHS and apply for benefits with USCIS.

USCIS generally does not approve requests to reschedule a biometric appointment for reasons of detention or incarceration. The person must follow the procedures listed in the biometrics appointment notice to request that the person's appointment be rescheduled.

*Fingerprint exception: An individual may qualify for a waiver of the fingerprinting requirement if they are unable to provide fingerprints due to a medical condition, including but not limited to disability, birth defects, physical deformities, skin conditions, and psychiatric conditions.

If a fingerprint exemption is granted, the exemption is valid only for the specific applications, petitions, or benefit requests listed in the ASC notice for which biometric data is collected. The individual must apply for a fingerprint exemption for each individual application, petition, or benefit application subsequently filed if the subsequent filing has a biometric data collection requirement.

An individual who is granted a fingerprint waiver must bring clearance letters from local law enforcement or other form-specific documentation covering the relevant interview periods. All authorization letters become part of the registry. In cases where the individual is granted a fingerprint waiver or has two unclassifiable fingerprint results, USCIS must take an affidavit from the individual covering the relevant time periods.