How Does USCIS Investigate?

Applying to immigrate to the United States is a big decision! If you are wanting to become a legal US immigrant, there are important steps to complete, including a USCIS (United States Citizen and Immigration Services) investigation. This includes a background check, fingerprints, and a name check. Let’s look at how this process works so that you are confident in the process and prepared to begin.

How does a USCIS investigation work?

The USCIS investigation includes a background check, fingerprinting, and a name check.  It is important to comply with these requests in an open and honest way.  Let’s look at what each of these means a little more closely.

Background Check

USCIS conducts a background check to analyze information from a variety of databases, agencies, and systems, seeking red flags related to national security and public safety.

Fingerprinting

USCIS will notify you that you have a biometrics service appointment. This appointment will be at your local Application Support Center after filing your immigration application. This is a required appointment where your fingerprints will be taken.  Your fingerprints will be able to retrieve further information for the USCIS pertaining to any type of criminal background.  The agency will know if you have or have not been involved in any type of criminal or administrative activity based on this check.

It is important to attend this appointment. If, for some reason, you cannot attend on the date and time you are assigned, you must provide a good reason. If you do not show up, your application may be considered “abandoned.”

Name Check

FBI name checks are used in order to check your name against any administrative, applicant, criminal, personnel, and other files compiled by law enforcement. Your name will be searched in various databases that list and name known criminals and suspects. The FBI’s Universal Index is included in the databases that are searched.

If there are no issues found in your name check, you will progress to the next step of your USCIS investigation.

We Can Help

Hurtubise Weber Law Firm specializes in Immigration services, including family- based immigration. If you are seeking US citizenship or are interested in sponsoring a spouse, child, or parent in achieving citizenship, we are here to help you.

Call us today for help with your immigration needs.

San Jose office:  650-691-8370

San Francisco:415-413-8760