Table Of Changes - Instructions

TABLE OF CHANGES – INSTRUCTIONS

Instructions for Form I-134, Affidavit of Support

OMB Number: 1615-0014

05/13/2020

Reason for Revision: Biometrics Rule

Project Phase: NPRM

Legend for Proposed Text:

• Black font = Current text

• Red font = Changes

Expires 02/28/2021

Edition Date 02/13/19

Current Page Number and Section	Current Text	Proposed Text
Page 1, Biometric Services Appointment	[page 1] Filing Fee. There is no fee to file Form I-134. Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of documents requested, unless the Instructions specifically state that you must submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at the time of filing or at any time during processing of an application, petition, or request. If USCIS requests an original document from you, it will be returned to you after USCIS determines it no longer needs your original.	[page 1] Filing Fee. There is no fee to file Form I-134. A biometric services fee of $85 is required for the sponsor. Biometric Services Appointment. Every individual who is an applicant, petitioner, derivative, beneficiary, or sponsor of an immigration benefit request or other request submitted to USCIS is required to submit biometrics unless USCIS waives or exempts the requirement.  You will be notified of the time and place of your appointment if you must appear and you will be provided requirements for rescheduling if necessary. If you fail to submit any biometrics as required, USCIS may deny your application, petition, or request. DHS may store the biometrics submitted by an individual and use or reuse biometrics to conduct background and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), verify identity, produce documents, determine eligibility for immigration and naturalization benefits, or to perform any other functions necessary for administering and enforcing immigration and naturalization laws, and any other law within DHS authority.   If you are required to provide biometrics, at your appointment you must sign an oath reaffirming that: 1. You provided or authorized all information in the [application/petition]; 2.   You reviewed and understood all of the information contained in, and submitted with, your [application/petition]; and 3.   All of this information was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing. Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of documents requested, unless the Instructions specifically state that you must submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at the time of filing or at any time during processing of an application, petition, or request. If USCIS requests an original document from you, it will be returned to you after USCIS determines it no longer needs your original.
	[page 3] 4. USCIS Online Account Number (if any). If you have previously filed an application, petition, or request using the USCIS online filing system (previously called USCIS Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS)), provide the USCIS Online Account Number you were issued by the system. You can find your USCIS Online Account Number by logging in to your account and going to the profile page. If you previously filed certain applications, petitions, or requests on a paper form via a USCIS Lockbox facility, you may have received a USCIS Online Account Access Notice issuing you a USCIS Online Account Number. If you received such a notice, your USCIS Online Account Number can be found at the top of the notice. If you were issued a USCIS Online Account Number, enter it in the space provided. The USCIS Online Account Number is not the same as an A-Number. 5. Part 4. Sponsor’s Statement, Contact Information, Certification, and Signature. Select the appropriate box to indicate whether you read this affidavit yourself or whether you had an interpreter assist you. If someone assisted you in completing the affidavit, select the box indicating that you used a preparer. Further, you must sign and date your affidavit and provide your daytime telephone number, mobile telephone number (if any), and email address (if any). Every affidavit MUST contain the signature of the sponsor (or parent or legal guardian, if applicable). A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable. 6. Part 5. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature. If you used anyone as an interpreter to read the instructions and questions on this affidavit to you in a language in which you are fluent, the interpreter must fill out this section, provide his or her name, the name and address of his or her business or organization (if any), his or her daytime telephone number, his or her mobile telephone number (if any), and his or her email address (if any). The interpreter must sign and date the affidavit. 7. Part 6. Contact Information, Statement, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Affidavit, if Other Than the Sponsor. This section must contain the signature of the person who completed your affidavit, if other than you, the sponsor. If the same individual acted as your interpreter and your preparer, that person should complete both Part 5. and Part 6. If the person who completed this affidavit is associated with a business or organization, that person should complete the business or organization name and address information. Anyone who helped you complete this affidavit MUST sign and date the affidavit. A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable. If the person who helped you prepare your affidavit is an attorney or accredited representative whose representation extends beyond preparation of this affidavit, he or she may be obliged to also submit a completed Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, along with your affidavit.	[page 3] 4. USCIS Online Account Number (if any). If you have previously filed an application, petition, or request using the USCIS online filing system (previously called USCIS Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS)), provide the USCIS Online Account Number you were issued by the system. You can find your USCIS Online Account Number by logging in to your account and going to the profile page. If you previously filed certain applications, petitions, or requests on a paper form via a USCIS Lockbox facility, you may have received a USCIS Online Account Access Notice issuing you a USCIS Online Account Number. If you received such a notice, your USCIS Online Account Number can be found at the top of the notice. If you were issued a USCIS Online Account Number, enter it in the space provided. The USCIS Online Account Number is not the same as an A-Number. 5. Part 2. Biographic Information Provide the biographic information requested in Part 2., Item Numbers 1. - 6. Providing this information as part of your application may reduce the time you spend at your USCIS ASC appointment as described in the Biometric Services Appointment section of these Instructions. Item Numbers 1. - 2. Ethnicity and Race. Select the boxes that best describe your ethnicity and race. Categories and Definitions for Ethnicity and Race 1. Hispanic or Latino. A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. (NOTE: This category is only included under Ethnicity in Part 2., Item Number 1.) 2. White. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. 3. Asian. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. 4. Black or African American. A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. 5. American Indian or Alaska Native. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment. 6. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. Item Number 3. Height. Select the values that best match your height in feet and inches. For example, if you are five feet and nine inches, select “5” for feet and “09” for inches. Do not enter your height in meters or centimeters. Item Number 4. Weight. Enter your weight in pounds. If you do not know your weight, or need to enter a weight under 30 pounds or over 699 pounds, enter “000.” Do not enter your weight in kilograms. Item Number 5. Eye Color. Select the box that best describes the color of your eyes. Item Number 6. Hair Color. Select the box that best describes the color of your hair. 6. Part 5. Sponsor’s Statement, Contact Information, Certification, and Signature. Select the appropriate box to indicate whether you read this affidavit yourself or whether you had an interpreter assist you. If someone assisted you in completing the affidavit, select the box indicating that you used a preparer. Further, you must sign and date your affidavit and provide your daytime telephone number, mobile telephone number (if any), and email address (if any). Every affidavit MUST contain the signature of the sponsor (or parent or legal guardian, if applicable). A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable. 7. Part 6. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature. If you used anyone as an interpreter to read the instructions and questions on this affidavit to you in a language in which you are fluent, the interpreter must fill out this section, provide his or her name, the name and address of his or her business or organization (if any), his or her daytime telephone number, his or her mobile telephone number (if any), and his or her email address (if any). The interpreter must sign and date the affidavit. 8. Part 7. Contact Information, Statement, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Affidavit, if Other Than the Sponsor. This section must contain the signature of the person who completed your affidavit, if other than you, the sponsor. If the same individual acted as your interpreter and your preparer, that person should complete both Part 5. and Part 6. If the person who completed this affidavit is associated with a business or organization, that person should complete the business or organization name and address information. Anyone who helped you complete this affidavit MUST sign and date the affidavit. A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable. If the person who helped you prepare your affidavit is an attorney or accredited representative whose representation extends beyond preparation of this affidavit, he or she may be obliged to also submit a completed Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, along with your affidavit.
	[page 4] What Is the Filling Fee? There is no filing fee for Form I-134.	[page 4] What Is the Filling Fee? There is no filing fee for Form I-134. An $85 biometric services fee is required for the sponsor.
Pages 4-5, Processing Information	[page 5] … Requests for Interview. We may request that you appear at a USCIS office for an interview based on your affidavit. At the time of any interview or other appearance at a USCIS office, we may require that you provide your fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature to verify your identity and/or update background and security checks. …	[page 5] … Requests for Interview. We may request that you appear at a USCIS office for an interview based on your affidavit. At the time of any interview or other appearance at a USCIS office, we may require that you provide your biometrics to verify your identity and/or update background and security checks. …
	[page ] USCIS Privacy Act Statement AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this affidavit, and the associated evidence, is collected under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), sections 101, 1182(a)(4), 1183, 1184(a), and 1258. PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this affidavit is to show that the applying immigrant has enough financial support to live without concern of becoming reliant on U.S. Government welfare. DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision in your case or result in denial of your affidavit. ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this affidavit with other Federal, state, local, and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine uses described in the associated published system of records notices [DHS/USCIS-007 - Benefits Information System and DHS/USCIS-001 - Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System of Records] which can be found at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS may also share the information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.	[page ] DHS Privacy Notice AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this affidavit, and the associated evidence, is collected under the Immigration and Nationality Act sections 212 (a)(4), 213, 214 and 248. PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this affidavit is to determine whether you have adequate financial means to support the individual identified in this Form I-134 and that, if this individual is admitted or paroled into the United States, this individual will not become a public charge. DHS uses the information you provide to grant or deny the immigration benefit you are seeking. DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, including your Social Security number (if applicable), and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision or result in denial of your affidavit. ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this affidavit and any additional requested evidence with other Federal, state, local, and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine uses described in the associated published system of records notices [DHS/USCIS/ICE/CBP-001 Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System, DHS/USCIS-007 Benefits Information System, and DHS/USCIS-018 Immigration Biometric and Background Check] and the published privacy impact assessments [DHS/USCIS/PIA-051 Case and Activity Management for International Operations] which you can find at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS may also share this information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.
	[page 7] Paperwork Reduction Act An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 90 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information, completing the affidavit, preparing statements, attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the affidavit. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 20 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20529-2140; OMB No. 1615-0014. Do not mail your completed Form I-134 to this address.	[page 7] Paperwork Reduction Act An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 90 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information, completing the affidavit, preparing statements, attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the affidavit. The collection of biometrics is estimated to require 3 hours and 40 minutes. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 20 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20529-2140; OMB No. 1615-0014. Do not mail your completed Form I-134 to this address.

1