USCIS Sends Notice About FBI Biometrics and Continuous Immigration Vetting
If you recently received a letter from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) titled “FBI Privacy Requirements for Biometrics Collection by USCIS,” you may be wondering what it means and whether you need to take action.
USCIS has been sending notices dated September 25, 2026, to explain how the agency collects and uses biometric information, such as fingerprints and photographs, for FBI criminal history checks.
Do I Need to Do Anything?
According to the USCIS notice, you do not need to take any further action at this time. USCIS states that you will receive a separate notice if additional information or action is needed.
Receiving this letter does not automatically mean there is a problem with your immigration case or that USCIS has found an issue with your application. The notice is primarily intended to explain your privacy rights and how your biometric information may be used.
What Is Continuous Immigration Vetting?
The letter explains that USCIS has been transitioning since 2017 from point-in-time screening and vetting checks to an event-based process known as Continuous Immigration Vetting (CIV).
CIV involves ongoing immigration screening and vetting, including checks of criminal history records as required through the FBI. The purpose of the notice is to inform applicants about this process and their rights concerning the collection and use of their information.
What Are My Rights?
Under federal law, applicants have certain rights regarding their FBI criminal history records, including:
Notification: You have the right to know that USCIS may use your fingerprints and other biometrics to check FBI criminal history records.
Access and Review: You may request a copy of your FBI identity record and review the information it contains.
Correction: If you believe your FBI record is incorrect or incomplete, you may have the right to challenge the information and request corrections.
Use and Sharing: USCIS will use criminal history information for authorized non-criminal justice purposes and protect the information as required by federal law.
What Should You Do If You Receive This Letter?
For this notice specifically, no action is required at this time. Keep the letter with your immigration records and continue watching for any additional correspondence from USCIS.
If you have an immigration attorney, it is also a good idea to provide your attorney’s office with a copy of the notice so it can be kept in your case file.
If you receive another USCIS notice requesting documents, additional information, biometrics, or other action, make sure you review it carefully and respond by the deadline provided.
Have Questions About Your USCIS Notice?
Immigration procedures and screening requirements can be complicated, and every case is different. If you have questions about a USCIS notice or are concerned about how biometric screening or Continuous Immigration Vetting may affect your immigration case, contact Delgado Law Firm to discuss your individual circumstances with an immigration attorney.
Important: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws, policies, and procedures can change, and the impact of a USCIS notice depends on the individual circumstances of each case.