Maloney and Larkin Announce USCIS Expanding Biometric Services in the Hudson Valley

Could Save the Hudson Valley Nearly $2 Million

Newburgh, NY – One month after the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) opened their doors at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center, Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) and Senator Bill Larkin announced USCIS will be expanding services to include biometric fingerprinting, required during the naturalization process. Previously, USCIS was only offering case status inquiries, and general immigration information appointments every two weeks. 

“The expanded services at the Newburgh Armory will save our community millions of dollars and is critical for our friends and neighbors who are playing by the rules, working hard, paying taxes and growing our economy," said Rep. Maloney.

“I am pleased to join Congressman Maloney in thanking USCIS for offering biometric services at the Newburgh Armory.  Hudson Valley residents from the surrounding five counties will now be able to have their fingerprints taken locally without the added expense and inconvenience of having to travel to New York City for this service.  The Newburgh Armory has an established track record of providing assistance to those individuals looking to become citizens and this service will make the legal pathway to citizenship easier for those individuals,” said Senator Bill Larkin.

“I would like to thank Congressman Maloney, Senator Larkin and Mr. Kaplan for giving an opportunity to our future citizens in the Hudson Valley.

This new service will save them time and money while at the same time expediting the naturalization process,” said George Cooke, Sullivan County Commissioner of Jurors.

“I’m thrilled that USCIS has decided to expand their services after opening their doors at the Newburgh Armory only one month ago. This is a great example of how working together with Congressman Maloney, Senator Larkin and George Cooke we can make meaningful change in the lives of thousands of Hudson Valley residents,” said William Kaplan, Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Newburgh Armory Unity Center.

Each year, more than 3,200 Hudson Valley residents travel to New York City to apply for naturalization, and it is estimated that it costs the Hudson Valley nearly $2 million in lost wages, productivity, and travel expenses. On average, applicants must take three or more day-long trips to New York City to complete the naturalization process. In July, Rep. Maloney and Senator Larkin attended the opening of the USCIS at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center.

Every two weeks, USCIS offers biometrics, application assistance, case status and green card inquiries, ELIS issues, Adit stamps, emergency advance paroles, and general immigration information at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center. Additionally, the Newburgh Armory Unity Center offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, General Education Diploma (GED) courses, and assistance preparing for the naturalization test.