We understand documentation issues for Afghan arrivals are top-of-mind. ORR has been meeting with our federal partners, including our partners at Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection, to identify solutions to access documentation.
Problems with Form I-94 retrieval may be a result of incorrect spellings of names, incorrect dates of birth, or other mismatches in biographic data. However, the CBP One Mobile app can match photos to retrieve documentation!
The CBP One Mobile app asks the user to take a photo of themselves. The app will not ask for any other identifying information. Then the app will take the captured photo and match it with a photo of the same user taken at the time of entry. This should help retrieve the individual’s electronic Form I-94. Please see the attached updated user guide for detailed instructions. Instructions are available in English, Dari, and Pashto.
User notes:
- When searching by photo, do not enter any biographic information of the user. Personal details must be left blank when searching by photo. (See page 3 of the attached guide.)
- A “Not Found” error message means that the search information did not match with a record in the system. Again, if searching by photo, make sure no other biographic data is included in the search).
- A “System Error” message means that there was a technical error between the back-end system and the app. Users should try their search at a later time.
We understand that all precautions have been taken to ensure that photos captured are safe and secure. The photos are not used for any purpose other than identification-match and document retrieval.
If you encounter an individual or client who has no documentation, the CBP One Mobile app is the best opportunity to retrieve identity documentation from the federal government. If you have any issues using the CBP One Mobile App, please let us know right away so that we may advise our federal partners. Any feedback regarding this technology is appreciated.