Trump administration seeks biometrics from H-1B visa holders

Key Takeaways

• USCIS now demands home addresses and biometrics from many H-1B applicants via new 2025 RFEs.
• RFEs often lack details on adverse information, creating confusion and legal uncertainty for visa applicants.
• Lawyers advise responding cautiously, first requesting explanation from USCIS before providing sensitive personal data.

Early in 2025, a new approach by the Trump administration has brought changes—and confusion—to how the United States 🇺🇸 treats H-1B visa holders. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is now sending out Requests for Evidence (RFEs) that ask for personal information from many people applying for or renewing their H-1B visas. These requests often demand not just the applicant’s home address, but also their biometrics, which means fingerprints and photographs used to confirm a person’s identity. For people familiar with the H-1B program, this is a clear break from how things have worked in the past.

Let’s look at what has changed, why it matters, and how it fits into the bigger picture of immigration policy under President Trump.

What’s Changed for H-1B Visa Holders?

Up until this year, people applying for H-1B visas almost never had to submit their home address or agree to biometrics appointments during the visa process. The H-1B visa is mainly used by skilled workers who want to work in specialized jobs that require college degrees or special skills, like jobs in technology or engineering.

However, starting in early 2025, more and more H-1B visa applicants have been receiving new kinds of RFEs—official requests from USCIS asking for additional information to support their case. Now, these RFEs often demand:

• The person’s current home address
• Their biometric data (for example, fingerprints, photographs, digital signatures)

This is a big change from before. In the past, USCIS mostly collected biometrics for family immigration, green card applications, or cases where someone had broken immigration rules. For regular employment visas like H-1B, such requests were unusual and were typically explained by a clear concern or evidence of possible fraud. The new RFEs often don’t explain why the information is needed, or what “adverse information” (meaning negative info or something suspicious) led to the request in the first place.

Why Are These RFEs Causing Confusion?

Attorneys and employers used to helping H-1B visa holders with their paperwork say this is a highly unusual move. The main reasons for their concern are:

• Lack of transparency: The RFEs do not say what negative or “adverse” information caused the request for biometrics and home address.
• No guidance: So far, USCIS has not put out public instructions or rules explaining how to respond to these unusual requests, making it hard for people to know what to do.
• Unclear risk: Since the RFEs do not spell out the problem, people don’t know if giving this information could hurt their application or even affect their job.

As some lawyers have stated, “This is highly unusual because biometrics are not typically required for these case types… The RFEs also fail to explain the nature of the adverse information, leaving employers and attorneys in the dark.”

How Are Lawyers Advising H-1B Visa Holders to Respond?

Faced with these new rules, many attorneys are telling their clients not to give out private information—like their home address or biometrics—right away. Instead, they suggest first asking the government to show any negative evidence it may have about the applicant. This advice is based on a federal rule (8 CFR 103.2(b)(16)(i)), which says that USCIS must tell applicants about any negative evidence they are using when making a decision.

So before quickly handing over new personal data, lawyers are telling H-1B visa holders and their employers to:

• Ask USCIS to explain exactly what evidence or suspicion has led to this request.
• Only give personal information if required by law after proper explanation.
• Keep a careful record of all written communication and legal advice.

This approach gives applicants some protection and helps ensure they’re not sharing data without understanding why.

What Does This Mean for H-1B Visa Holders and Their Employers?

For workers and their employers, these fresh RFEs have made the H-1B process less predictable. No longer is it enough to simply prove that the worker qualifies for the job; they must also be ready to share more personal information and possibly go to a USCIS office for biometrics collection—without knowing exactly why.

In short:
– For applicants: They must act carefully, think before sharing personal details, and consider getting help from a trustworthy immigration lawyer.
– For employers: They need to be ready for delays, extra paperwork, and possible privacy questions from workers.
– For attorneys: Their roles have become even more important, as they help guide both workers and businesses through shifting policies.

Why Did the Trump Administration Start Doing This?

The Trump administration’s move to collect more personal data from H-1B visa holders is part of a bigger trend in U.S. immigration policy. Over recent years, changes have focused on:

• Tighter program rules: Making sure that only qualified workers and companies can use the H-1B program, by raising salary thresholds and changing definitions of what counts as a “specialty occupation.”
• Higher costs: Increasing registration fees for visa applications.
• More enforcement: Inspecting more workplaces, making surprise visits, and checking that companies really need foreign workers.
• Extra vetting: Looking more closely at both employers and workers to weed out fraud or abuse.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these steps reflect President Trump’s stated goal of tightening control over work visas, especially H-1B, during his second term. The policy change toward demanding home addresses and biometrics is in line with a preference for stricter oversight and the belief that more data collection means a safer system.

USCIS has explained in the past that biometrics collection is mostly used to confirm identities and check against criminal or immigration records. Most people agree that making sure workers are who they say they are, and that they follow the law, is a fair goal. But many in the legal community worry that these fresh RFEs don’t give workers enough information or protection.

Historical Context: H-1B Program and Surveillance

The H-1B program has always been controversial. Some people think it takes jobs away from Americans, while others say it’s essential for helping U.S. companies find the special skills they need to stay competitive. Over the years, there have been changes aimed at preventing fraud or misuse. However, requiring personal home addresses and biometrics from H-1B visa holders is new, and many feel it goes too far.

In the past:
– Biometrics were mainly collected for green card cases, asylum applications, and some family-based visas.
– Home addresses of applicants were kept private unless there was a direct concern—such as an investigation or deportation risk.
– If the government had concerns about a particular applicant (for example, if they believed the person did not qualify for the visa or had broken the law), the applicant and their lawyer would be told exactly what those concerns were.

Now, with these fresh RFEs, many H-1B visa holders are being treated as if there is a concern—even when it’s not clear what that concern might be.

Comparison Table

Here’s a simple table to show what has changed:

How Does This Affect U.S. Immigration Policy Overall?

This move is about more than just paperwork. It signals a larger shift toward extra scrutiny and perhaps even surveillance of foreign workers. Here is why that matters:

• Privacy: H-1B visa holders must share more personal information, and it’s unclear how it will be stored or used.
• Trust: Suddenly being asked for fingerprints and your home address without a reason can make workers feel like they are being watched or singled out.
• Delays: More requirements mean cases might take longer to process, leading to uncertainty for workers and the businesses that depend on them.
• Legal risk: If an applicant shares information without knowing the reason behind the request, they may face problems down the line if there is negative evidence against them.

Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that this move may not only slow down H-1B processing times but could also create an atmosphere of fear or distrust for highly skilled workers that companies rely on.

What Should H-1B Visa Holders Do Now?

If you receive an RFE asking for your home address or to submit biometrics, it is important to:

1. Read the RFE carefully: Check for any specific details or reasons given for the request.
2. Consult a lawyer: Make sure you get advice from an experienced immigration attorney who understands recent policy changes.
3. Ask USCIS for more information: Request a clear explanation of any negative evidence or concerns that led to the RFE.
4. Keep all documents: Save copies of every letter, email, or form you receive or send.
5. Do not ignore the RFE: Failing to respond could mean losing your chance at a visa, but make sure you respond only after understanding the rules.

Will This Practice Continue?

It is too early to say if the Trump administration’s new standard will continue in future years, or if a different approach will be adopted later. Some in Congress and the business community have raised concerns that these changes could make the United States 🇺🇸 less attractive to talented workers from around the world.

Meanwhile, many are waiting to see if USCIS will publish clear and official guidance for both employers and workers. If you want to keep up to date with official information about H-1B rules, you can always check the USCIS H-1B visa page.

Summary of Key Points

• USCIS is now requiring home addresses and biometrics from some H-1B visa holders via new RFEs. This is a major change from past practice.
• The new requests often do not explain what “adverse information” triggered them, causing confusion and concern among visa applicants, employers, and lawyers.
• Legal experts say workers should be careful before sharing private details. They suggest first requesting any negative evidence that led USCIS to ask for more information.
• This policy shift is part of a broader Trump administration strategy of stricter control over employment-based visas, especially H-1Bs.
• The move has sparked worries about privacy, longer processing times, and legal risks for both workers and the companies who sponsor them.

As the changes take shape, everyone involved in the H-1B process—foreign workers, companies, and lawyers—will need to pay close attention to new requests and rules. For now, careful planning and legal advice remain the best ways to protect the interests of both employers and skilled workers under the current environment.

Keeping an eye on future updates from USCIS and trusted sources like VisaVerge.com is a good way to stay prepared for whatever comes next in H-1B visa policy.

Learn Today

RFE (Request for Evidence) → An official USCIS notice asking for more information or documentation before making a decision on an immigration case.
Biometrics → Unique physical data like fingerprints and photographs collected to confirm identity and check criminal or immigration history.
H-1B Visa → A U.S. visa for skilled foreign workers to work in specialty occupations requiring college degrees or special expertise.
USCIS → United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency managing immigration benefits, including visas and green cards.
Adverse Information → Negative or suspicious details USCIS may use to justify extra scrutiny or denial of an immigration application.

This Article in a Nutshell

In 2025, the Trump administration began requiring H-1B visa holders to submit home addresses and biometrics via new RFEs. These unexpected requests, lacking clear explanations, have unsettled workers, employers, and immigration lawyers. They urge caution and legal guidance before responding—marking a significant shift in employment-based visa oversight and privacy.
— By VisaVerge.com

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