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USCIS Proposes New Security Background Check System for Jan. 3, 2007
Written by Jordana Hart
Tuesday, 05 December 2006
The USCIS, which conducts background checks on petitioners and applicants seeking immigration related benefits, is proposing to add a new system of records entitled Background Check Service. Aiming to facilitate the background check process and to improve efficiency, USCIS has developed the Background Check Service (BCS) as a centralized repository that contains the consolidated data on all background check requests and results. The BCS, which the service proposes to begin using on January 3, 2007, would allow authorized USCIS officers to request background checks and access the data stored in the BCS during the adjudication process in order to facilitate informed decision-making.
Publishing the details of the BCS in the Federal Register yesterday, the USCIS states that it conducts three different background checks on applicants/petitioners applying for USCIS benefits: (1) A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Fingerprint Check, (2) a FBI Name Check, and (3) a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Treasury Enforcement Communication System/ Interagency Border Inspection System (TECS/IBIS) Name Check.
As a centralized repository containing all background check activity, BCS will provide the status and results of background checks required for completion of immigration eligibility petitions and application determinations from one web-based system to geographically dispersed USCIS field offices. This system will purportedly reduce immigration case backlogs and provide significant efficiencies in vetting and resolving the background checks that are required for USCIS benefits. Prior to BCS, information relating to the FBI Fingerprint Checks and the FBI Name Checks were stored in the FD-258 system and FBI Query system respectively. Information relating to the TECS/IBIS Name Checks was not stored in any system.
The information maintained in BCS will be initially collected and maintained in one of the following USCIS case management systems and then transferred to BCS:
-Computer-Linked Application Information Management System (CLAIMS) 3, which is used to process applications including, but not limited to, an Adjustment of Status (Green Card) and Temporary Protective Status (TPS);
- CLAIMS 4, which is used to process applications for Naturalization;
- Refugee Asylum Parole System (RAPS), which is used to process Asylum applications; and
- Marriage Fraud Assurance System (MFAS), which is used for processing information relating to investigations of marriage fraud.
Meanwhile, fingerprint information is collected from the applicant at the time the fingerprints are taken in order to conduct the FBI Fingerprint Check. Fingerprints are taken electronically at a USCIS Application Support Centers (ASC) or taken from hard copy fingerprint cards (FD- 258) that are submitted for those applicants who are unable to go to an ASC. The fingerprints are currently stored in the Benefit Biometric Support System (BBSS), which interfaces directly with FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). The responses to the FBI Fingerprint Check are collected electronically from the FBI and will be stored in BCS.
All information is currently collected as part of the established USCIS application/petition process and is required to verify the applicant/petitioner's eligibility for the benefit being sought. The FBI Fingerprint Check is a search of the FBI's Criminal Master File via the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). This search will identify applicants/petitioners who have an arrest record.
The FBI Name Check is a search of the FBI's Universal Index that consists of administrative, applicant, criminal, personnel, and other files compiled for law enforcement purposes. The TECS/IBIS Name Check is a search of a multi-agency database containing information from 26 different agencies. The information in TECS/IBIS includes records of known and suspected terrorists, sex offenders, and other people that may be of interest to the law enforcement community. USCIS will use TECS/IBIS to access National Crime Information Center (NCIC) records on wanted persons, criminal histories, and previous Federal inspections.
If fraudulent or criminal activity is detected as a result of the background check, information will be forwarded to appropriate law enforcement agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), FBI, CBP, and/or local law enforcement.
The established system of records will be effective January 3, 2007 unless comments are received that result in a contrary determination.
You may submit comments, identified by Docket Number DHS- 2006-0063 by one of the following methods:
eo23 said:
USCIS Proposes New Security Background Check System for Jan. 3, 2007
Written by Jordana Hart
Tuesday, 05 December 2006
The USCIS, which conducts background checks on petitioners and applicants seeking immigration related benefits, is proposing to add a new system of records entitled Background Check Service. Aiming to facilitate the background check process and to improve efficiency, USCIS has developed the Background Check Service (BCS) as a centralized repository that contains the consolidated data on all background check requests and results. The BCS, which the service proposes to begin using on January 3, 2007, would allow authorized USCIS officers to request background checks and access the data stored in the BCS during the adjudication process in order to facilitate informed decision-making.
Publishing the details of the BCS in the Federal Register yesterday, the USCIS states that it conducts three different background checks on applicants/petitioners applying for USCIS benefits: (1) A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Fingerprint Check, (2) a FBI Name Check, and (3) a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Treasury Enforcement Communication System/ Interagency Border Inspection System (TECS/IBIS) Name Check.
As a centralized repository containing all background check activity, BCS will provide the status and results of background checks required for completion of immigration eligibility petitions and application determinations from one web-based system to geographically dispersed USCIS field offices. This system will purportedly reduce immigration case backlogs and provide significant efficiencies in vetting and resolving the background checks that are required for USCIS benefits. Prior to BCS, information relating to the FBI Fingerprint Checks and the FBI Name Checks were stored in the FD-258 system and FBI Query system respectively. Information relating to the TECS/IBIS Name Checks was not stored in any system.
The information maintained in BCS will be initially collected and maintained in one of the following USCIS case management systems and then transferred to BCS:
-Computer-Linked Application Information Management System (CLAIMS) 3, which is used to process applications including, but not limited to, an Adjustment of Status (Green Card) and Temporary Protective Status (TPS);
- CLAIMS 4, which is used to process applications for Naturalization;
- Refugee Asylum Parole System (RAPS), which is used to process Asylum applications; and
- Marriage Fraud Assurance System (MFAS), which is used for processing information relating to investigations of marriage fraud.
Meanwhile, fingerprint information is collected from the applicant at the time the fingerprints are taken in order to conduct the FBI Fingerprint Check. Fingerprints are taken electronically at a USCIS Application Support Centers (ASC) or taken from hard copy fingerprint cards (FD- 258) that are submitted for those applicants who are unable to go to an ASC. The fingerprints are currently stored in the Benefit Biometric Support System (BBSS), which interfaces directly with FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). The responses to the FBI Fingerprint Check are collected electronically from the FBI and will be stored in BCS.
All information is currently collected as part of the established USCIS application/petition process and is required to verify the applicant/petitioner's eligibility for the benefit being sought. The FBI Fingerprint Check is a search of the FBI's Criminal Master File via the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). This search will identify applicants/petitioners who have an arrest record.
The FBI Name Check is a search of the FBI's Universal Index that consists of administrative, applicant, criminal, personnel, and other files compiled for law enforcement purposes. The TECS/IBIS Name Check is a search of a multi-agency database containing information from 26 different agencies. The information in TECS/IBIS includes records of known and suspected terrorists, sex offenders, and other people that may be of interest to the law enforcement community. USCIS will use TECS/IBIS to access National Crime Information Center (NCIC) records on wanted persons, criminal histories, and previous Federal inspections.
If fraudulent or criminal activity is detected as a result of the background check, information will be forwarded to appropriate law enforcement agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), FBI, CBP, and/or local law enforcement.
The established system of records will be effective January 3, 2007 unless comments are received that result in a contrary determination.
You may submit comments, identified by Docket Number DHS- 2006-0063 by one of the following methods: