Fingerprinting Applicants and Petitioners for Immigration Benefits; Establishing a Fee for Fingerprinting by the Service; Requiring Completion of Criminal Background Checks Before Final Adjudication of Naturalization Applications

• Document number: 98-6828
• Type: Final Rule
• Published: March 17, 1998
• Effective: March 29, 1998
• Agency: Justice Department; Immigration and Naturalization Service

Official abstract

This rule amends the Immigration and Naturalization Service (Service) regulations relating to fingerprinting applicants and petitioners for benefits under the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act). This rule implements certain provisions of the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 1988, which prohibit the Service from accepting fingerprint cards (Form FD-258) for the purpose of conducting criminal background checks on applicants and petitioners for immigration benefits prepared by any individual or entity other than the Service, a registered State or local law enforcement agency, a United States consular office at a United States embassy or consulate, or a United States military installation abroad. The rule also announces the termination of the Designated Fingerprinting Services (DFS) certification program. In addition, this rule establishes a $25 service fee for fingerprinting by the Service, and requires Service receipt of a definitive response from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) before final adjudication of a naturalization application.

Primary source

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