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Since 2007, A1 Live Scan & Notary Services in downtown Los Angeles has provided crucial support to immigrant communities—offering fingerprint-based background checks for California, the FBI, and all 50 states; notary services for all documents; and passport photos, available both in‑house and mobile. With immigrant clients at the heart of our practice, it’s essential to be informed and prepared—especially in light of recent changes in immigration enforcement.
How ICE Uses Fingerprints and Biometric Data
- Secure Communities now part of ERO routines
Fingerprints taken by local law enforcement during criminal bookings are automatically checked against federal immigration databases—FBI’s NGI and DHS’s IDENT via the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) branch of ICE.
- Biometric surveillance expanding rapidly
ICE increasingly relies on expansive biometric systems—Secure Communities, facial recognition, fingerprinting, iris scans, and more—as part of a growing surveillance network across hundreds of jurisdictions.
Recent ICE Tactics: Why Compliance Feels Risky
- Mandatory check-ins and court appearance raids
Even immigrants who follow legal directions—like attending hearings or check-ins—have been detained by ICE using deceptive tactics.
- Worksite raids targeting non-criminals
ICE increasingly conducts raids at workplaces, detaining immigrant workers even when employers are not held accountable—a practice that disproportionately affects laborers without criminal records.
New Areas of Enforcement to Watch
- Revived local task force model
ICE is reactivating programs that empower local police to challenge people’s immigration status during regular policing.
- Supreme Court case on profiling in California
The Trump administration is appealing to the Supreme Court to permit arrests based on appearance, language, or job type—an appeal stemming from lower-court rulings in California that deemed such profiling discriminatory.
What Immigrants Should Know—and Do
Before You Come In for Services:
- Fingerprinting services for immigration purposes are not ICE tracking checks.
- Mobile services are available for sensitive situations.
Preparing for Interactions with Authorities:
- Stay alert during mandatory immigration appointments.
- Know your rights.
- Ask agents to identify themselves.
Resources for Attorneys & Legal Support
Attorneys can help clients navigate these complications:
- Advise clients about the heightened risk of check-in and courtroom enforcement tactics.
- Encourage clients to document their interactions and protect their rights.
- Keep informed on evolving legal challenges—such as ICE’s push to reauthorize profiling criteria.
A1 Live Scan & Notary Services: Here to Help
We understand the anxiety these enforcement changes can create. That’s why we offer:
- Confidential, professional fingerprinting for federal, state, and immigration purposes.
- Mobile notarization and fingerprinting—available wherever you feel safest.
- Passport photo services to support your documentation needs.
Summary Table
| Topic | Key Insight |
| Biometric database checks | ICE sees fingerprints through criminal bookings and ties them to immigration data. |
| Compliance risks | Attending legal appointments may lead to detainment under recent policies. |
| Worksite exposure | ICE raids often bypass employers and target individual workers. |
| Local law enforcement involvement | Programs now allow status checks during routine policing. |
| Legal fallout | Profiling based on appearance is being challenged—but enforcement continues. |
| A1’s role | Providing safe, discreet, and mobile services to sensitive clients. |
Final Thoughts
In today’s environment, even lawful immigrants can face heightened enforcement risks tied to biometric databases and shifting policies. At A1 Live Scan & Notary Services, we’re committed to offering privacy, professionalism, and accessibility to help you navigate these challenges safely.