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Why your case may be slower: the new FBI check
Since April 27, 2026, USCIS re-runs FBI fingerprint checks on pending cases before approving them. What changed, who it affects, and what to do (usually nothing).
October 5, 2026
If your case has gone quiet since spring, you are not alone. USCIS changed how it checks fingerprints with the FBI, and many pending cases are waiting for the new check to come back.
What changed
Since April 27, 2026, USCIS receives more detailed criminal history results from the FBI when it runs a fingerprint check. The change follows Executive Order 14385, signed on February 6, 2026.
For cases that were already pending, USCIS sends the fingerprints it already has to the FBI again, under the new rules. Officers do not approve those cases until the new result is back.
Who it affects
Any case that needs fingerprints, for example:
- Green card applications (I-485)
- Citizenship applications (N-400)
- Work permits and travel documents
- Asylum and family petitions
Do I need a new fingerprint appointment?
Usually not. In most cases USCIS reuses the fingerprints it already has. Some people do get a new biometrics appointment notice. If you get one, go to it: a missed appointment can delay or stop your case.
Will my interview still happen?
Yes. USCIS says interviews go ahead as scheduled. A decision can still wait until the new check is done.
"I got an FBI privacy notice letter"
Many people with pending cases received this letter in September. It is real, and it is not a problem. It explains that your fingerprints stay on file with the FBI and that USCIS can be told about new records later, without you filing anything. The letter itself says you do not need to take any action. You do not need to reply.
How long will it take?
Nobody knows yet. USCIS expects the delays to be short, but it has not given a timeline, and a very large number of cases are in the queue.
What you can do
- Keep your address and phone number up to date with USCIS.
- Answer any letter or request for evidence (RFE) quickly.
- Go to every appointment you are given.
- Track your case so you know the moment it moves.
When to talk to a lawyer
If you have ever been arrested or charged with anything, even long ago or even if it was dismissed, or if you get an RFE you do not understand, talk to an immigration attorney. This article is general information, not legal advice.
A quiet case right now usually means it is waiting in line, not that something is wrong.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own case, talk to an immigration attorney.