H-1B visa holders: Big news! Officials are asking for home address and biometrics data from H-1B visa holders, problems will increase
US H-1B Visa News: USCIS is responsible for handling immigration related matters in America. Right now lawyers are unable to understand why the agency has suddenly started asking for more information from visa applicants. People hoping to get H-1B visa are worried due to the new rules.
US H-1B Visa: People working on H-1B visa and other work visas in America are in tension. Immigration officials have now started issuing them ‘Request for Evidence’ (RFEs), in which more information has been sought from the visa applicants. According to Forbes report, officials have asked visa applicants for their home address and biometric data. Immigration lawyers are also worried due to the new rules. They say that earlier USCIS had not asked for answers to such questions.
Lawyers say they are getting RFEs in cases of job-related visas like H-1B and I-140. Getting an RFE means that the authorities need some more information from the visa holders. These notices mention potentially adverse information. This means that the authorities have found some information about the applicant, which may go against them. The officials are asking the applicants for their new address, so that they can go to their home and take their biometric data.
Biometrics are not required: Experts
Vic Goel of Goel & Anderson told Forbes, “This is very strange because usually biometrics are not required for these visas.” He also said, “RFEs also do not mention what the adverse information is. Because of this, both the employer and the lawyer are in the dark.” Immigration experts say that this has never happened before. Usually, RFEs only ask questions about qualifications, not about home address or biometric data.
What did the RFEs say?
In one RFE, USCIS said, “We have received some information about the beneficiary that may go against the application. In order to process your application or petition, we need the beneficiary’s updated address so we can obtain biometric data.” The beneficiary is the person who is getting a visa.
What do immigration lawyers advise?
Immigration lawyers are advising people to respond to RFEs with caution. “I would recommend not responding to an RFE directly by providing the beneficiary’s address or scheduling biometrics,” Goel told Forbes. Instead, he suggested citing 8 CFR 103.2(b)(16)(i). This rule says that USCIS must disclose any information it is using to make a decision.
The post H-1B visa holders: Big news! Officials are asking for home address and biometrics data from H-1B visa holders, problems will increase first appeared on informalnewz.
News