Recently, U.S. immigration policies have continued to tighten, with significantly increased scrutiny on work visas (especially H-1B) and green card applications, sparking widespread concern within the tech industry and immigrant communities. Several tech companies have issued urgent warnings to employees, advising H-1B visa holders not to leave the country unless necessary, while the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has been issuing frequent "new types of Requests for Evidence (RFE)," leaving applicants confused.
USCIS Issues Frequent New Types of RFEs for H-1B and I-140
Media reports indicate that numerous H-1B and I-140-based employment green card applicants have received rare types of RFEs. In these RFEs, USCIS states that it has discovered "potential adverse information" during the adjudication process and requires applicants to provide updated residential addresses while also scheduling biometric data collection (fingerprinting).
Unlike common RFEs of the past, these notices do not focus on technical issues such as educational background or "Specialty Occupation" status, but rather demand personal information that is not directly related to the application itself.
Key information in these RFEs includes: mentions of "potential adverse information" regarding the applicant; requests for residential addresses; and notifications implying the collection of biometric data (e.g., fingerprints, facial images, etc.). It is important to note that USCIS did not specify the source or specific content of the alleged "adverse information" in these notices. However, it is certain that requiring applicants to provide fingerprints during the H-1B or I-140 stage was extremely rare in the past.
A USCIS spokesperson stated via email that requiring H-1B applicants to provide fingerprints is part of the "Trump administration's efforts to restore integrity to the immigration system," and that they will strengthen scrutiny on "all aliens applying for immigration benefits."
Combined with recent trends in handling cases involving illegal activities among OPT (Optional Practical Training) applicants, some attorneys speculate that USCIS may be targeting a specific group—screening applicants who have negative records in the system. Attorneys generally advise applicants not to comply blindly without key information, especially when USCIS has not clearly stated the source or specific content of the alleged "adverse information," and suggest maintaining a cautious approach. According to relevant regulations, if USCIS makes an adverse decision based on certain negative information, it must legally disclose the detailed content of that information to the applicant and provide sufficient time and opportunity for the applicant to respond and rebut, in order to protect the applicant's right to know and right to defense.
Major Tech Companies Advise H-1B Employees to Avoid Traveling Abroad
The continuous adjustments and changes in U.S. immigration policy have made the future full of uncertainty. Recently, many tech companies have advised employees holding H-1B visas not to leave the United States, fearing they may be denied entry upon their return. Relevant law firms have also issued warnings, stating that USCIS has recently revoked visas and green cards for some individuals on the grounds of "endangering U.S. security," and that the rejection rate for high-skilled visas is likely to rise again.
This series of actions has caused deep anxiety among the immigrant technical talent pool that Silicon Valley relies on. After all, they have always been a vital force in U.S. technological innovation; CEOs of companies like Microsoft and Google are immigrants, and many startups valued at over $1 billion were founded or co-founded by immigrants.
Today, policy uncertainty has already had a substantial impact on many individuals. For families of international students planning to transition through an H-1B work visa to apply for a U.S. green card, if they are unable to work smoothly or face the risk of being forced to leave the country due to policy reasons in the future, the entire family will be severely affected.
Against this backdrop, families planning to send their children to study in the U.S. should shift to a more long-term plan: obtaining a green card in advance to gain more flexibility and security. In other words, a green card is the ultimate solution! Among the pathways to obtaining a U.S. green card, EB-5 immigration is highly favored.
The reserved visa projects under the new EB-5 policy offer significant advantages. Currently, there is an ample supply of reserved visas for rural EB-5 projects, allowing applicants to enjoy no visa backlog, priority processing, and fast green card acquisition. International students in the U.S. can simultaneously submit their I-526E immigration petition and I-485 application, and receive a Combo card in about three months. This allows them to reside, study, and work legally in the U.S. without affecting their ability to travel while waiting for their green card.
Currently, the two best-selling premium EB-5 projects on the market—the "Aspen Kodiak Apartments," which has received both I-956F and I-526E project approvals, and the "Florida Lakeside Jewish Community," which has received I-956F, I-526E, and green card approvals—are high-quality rural EB-5 projects that have been carefully screened and strictly vetted by the Worldway Group, making them undoubtedly your best choice for fast immigration to the United States.
