I-601a Instructions Table of Changes

TABLE OF CHANGES – INSTRUCTIONS

Instructions for Form I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver

OMB Number: 1615-0123

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 12/15/2017

Current Page Number and Section	Current Text	Proposed Text
Pages 5-6, General Instructions	[Page 6] Biometric Services Appointment. USCIS may require that you appear for an interview or provide fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct background and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), before making a decision on your application, petition, or request. After USCIS receives your application and ensures it is complete, we will inform you in writing, if you need to attend a biometric services appointment. If an appointment is necessary, the notice will provide you the location of your local or designated USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) and the date and time of your appointment. If you are required to provide biometrics, at your appointment you must sign an oath reaffirming that: … 3. All of this information was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing. If you fail to attend your biometric services appointment, USCIS may deny your application. Copies. You may 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 you submit original documents when not required, the documents may remain a part of the record, and USCIS will not automatically return them to you. …	[Page 5] 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. [Page 6] 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: … 3. All of this information was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing. [deleted] Copies. You may 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 you submit original documents when not required, the documents may remain a part of the record, and USCIS will not automatically return them to you. …
Pages 17-18, What Is the Filing Fee?	[page 17] What Is the Filing Fee? The filing fee for Form I-601A is $630. A biometric services fee of $85 is also required for applicants between 14 and 79 years of age. Therefore, the fees you must submit with the application are: 1. $630 plus $85 for the biometric services fee if you are under 79 years of age; or 2. $630 if you are under 14 years of age or 79 years of age or older. 3. You may not request a fee waiver for the Form I-601A filing fee or biometric services fee. NOTE: The filing fee and biometric services fee are not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on this application. DO NOT MAIL CASH. You must submit all fees in the exact amounts. …	[page 17] What Is the Filing Fee? The filing fee for Form I-601A is $630. A biometric services fee of $85 is also required, for a total fee of $715. You may not request a fee waiver for the Form I-601A filing fee or biometric services fee. [deleted] NOTE: The filing fee and biometric services fee are not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on this application. DO NOT MAIL CASH. You must submit all fees in the exact amounts. …
Pages 18-19, Processing Information	[page 19] … Requests for Interview. We may request that you appear at a USCIS office for an interview based on your application. 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 19] … Requests for Interview. We may request that you appear at a USCIS office for an interview based on your application. 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 19, DHS Privacy Notice	[Page 19] AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this application, and the associated evidence, is collected under the Immigration and Nationality Act sections 212(a)(9)(B) (i)(I), and 212(a)(9)(B)(v). PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this application is to determine if you have established eligibility for the provisional unlawful presence waiver. 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, and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision or result in denial of your application. ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this application with other Federal, state, local, and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine uses, as described in the associated published system of records notices [DHS-USCIS-001 – Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System and DHS-USCIS-007 – Benefits Information System] and published privacy impact assessment [DHS/USCIS/PIA-016(a) Computer Linked Application Information Management System and Associated Systems], 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 19] AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this application, and the associated evidence, is collected under the Immigration and Nationality Act Sections 212(a)(9)(B) (i)(I) and 212(a)(9)(B)(v). PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this application is to determine if you have established eligibility for the provisional unlawful presence waiver. DHS will use the information you provide to grant or deny the immigration benefit you are seeking. DISCOLSURE: The information you provide 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 application. [Page 20] ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this application with other Federal, state, local, and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine uses, as 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 published privacy impact assessment [DHS/USCIS/PIA-016(a) Computer Linked Application Information Management System and Associated Systems], 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 20, Paperwork Reduction Act	[Page 20] 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 1 hour and 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information. The collection of biometrics is estimated to require 1 hour and 10 minutes. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing 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. 1615-0123. Do not mail your completed Form I-601A to this address.	[Page 20] 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 1 hour and 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information. 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 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. 1615-0123. Do not mail your completed Form I-601A to this address.

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