The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a policy memorandum on July 23, 2012, to address the issue of photograph and fingerprint capture and how USCIS employees and contractors can accommodate individuals professing religious beliefs.
USCIS is required to "capture and verify the appearance of individuals" and will not allow any individual to waive the photograph requirement. However, when an individual is wearing religious headwear, the USCIS will allow the individual to continue wearing the headwear "if a reasonable likeness can be obtained from an individual, the full face is visible and the religious headwear does not cast a shadow on the face." USCIS may ask an individual to adjust his or her religious headwear in order to properly capture a photograph that allows USCIS to identify the individual. A private room or screening area will be offered if there is one available for individuals to use to adjust headwear. USCIS will also offer individuals same-gender photographers, if available, in order to accommodate an individual's request.
USCIS will provide a same-gender fingerprint technician or Officer upon request, if available, for individuals whose religions prohibit a person of the opposite gender from touching them.
For photograph and fingerprint captures, the USCIS will reschedule an appointment or interview for a different day or at a different office, if possible, in order to accommodate individuals.
To read the policy memorandum, click here.
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