Published October 21, 2026
Many asylum applicants received in October 2026 what the community now calls the FBI letter, and the worry spread fast. However, reading the document calmly reveals something important. It is not a letter from the FBI. Moreover, it does not ask you to do anything. Below we explain what it actually says, with the official text in view.
In brief: what the FBI letter says
The notice is dated October 6, 2026 and is sent by USCIS, not the FBI, from its offices in Camp Springs, Maryland.
Its subject line reads "FBI Privacy Requirements for Biometrics Collection by USCIS."
The letter itself says, in bold: "You do not need to take any further action at this time."
It explains that since 2017 USCIS moved from point-in-time screening to an ongoing process called Continuous Immigration Vetting (CIV).
The letter exists because federal law requires it: 28 U.S.C. § 534 and 28 C.F.R. § 50.12.
It recognizes four rights: notification, access to your FBI record, correction of errors, and limited use of that information.
It is not a removal order, not a court date and not an appointment with an immigration officer.
According to the official DHS document on this program, no decision is made solely on information produced by continuous vetting.
Important: if you received the letter, keep it. It is part of your file, even though it asks nothing of you.
What exactly is the FBI letter that arrived in your mailbox?
It is a privacy notice that USCIS sends to people whose biometrics were collected. It explains that those fingerprints are compared against FBI criminal history records. Moreover, that comparison no longer happens once, but continuously. The letterhead belongs to the Department of Homeland Security.
Here is the first misunderstanding worth clearing up. The letter does not come from the FBI. USCIS sends it, and it speaks about FBI requirements. For that reason the popular name confuses people, who believe they heard from a criminal investigation agency.
Note: on social media it is called "the FBI letter." In contrast, the official document is titled "FBI Privacy Requirements for Biometrics Collection by USCIS."
Does the FBI letter mean something is wrong with your case?
No. The notice says so in bold, in its first highlighted block: "You do not need to take any further action at this time. You will receive a separate notice if USCIS needs any additional information."
Therefore, receiving it does not indicate that your case is at risk. Likewise, it does not indicate that something appeared in your record. Everyone whose biometrics are collected for FBI background checks receives it, because the law requires the notification.
It does mean your biometrics were or will be collected. It does not mean a removal order exists against you.
It does mean your fingerprints are checked against FBI records. It does not mean you are being sent to immigration court.
It does mean the check is continuous, not one-time. It does not mean you have an appointment with an officer.
It does mean you hold four rights under federal law. It does not mean something new appeared in your record.
It does mean USCIS met a legal duty to inform you. It does not mean you must reply or send any document.
Source: USCIS notice "FBI Privacy Requirements for Biometrics Collection by USCIS," October 6, 2026. Verified October 21, 2026.
What is continuous vetting and how long has it existed?
It is a system that reviews an applicant's information throughout the life of the case. In contrast, screening used to happen only once. The official Department of Homeland Security document describes it as an "event-based vetting tool." That is, it activates when new information appears: a filing, fingerprints or an address change.
It is not new, and that fact is reassuring. USCIS began applying it to naturalization applications in June 2017. It then extended it to permanent residence applications in July 2018. Since then it has widened in phases. The October 2026 letter does not launch the program; rather, it informs you about it.
It also helps to keep one sentence from the DHS document in mind: "No operational decisions are based solely on information obtained through CIV." In other words, no operational decision rests only on what this process produces. Indeed, when a match appears, an officer reviews it manually before any other step.
Who receives this FBI letter?
Anyone whose biometrics are collected for FBI background checks, not only asylum applicants. The letter says it plainly: "All applicants whose biometrics are collected for FBI criminal history checks must receive a notice."
For that reason, if it reached you and also reached an acquaintance with a different type of case, it is not a coincidence. Nor is it a pattern aimed at one group. Rather, it is compliance with a general requirement.
What rights does the FBI letter recognize?
Four, and all of them come from federal regulation 28 C.F.R. § 50.12. The letter lists them expressly, so it is worth knowing them even if you do not need them today.
Notification: knowing that USCIS will use your fingerprints and other biometrics to check FBI criminal history records. Legal basis: 28 C.F.R. § 50.12.
Access and review: requesting a copy of your own FBI identity record. Legal basis: 28 C.F.R. § 16.32.
Correction: challenging that record and asking for corrections if it is wrong or incomplete. Legal basis: 28 C.F.R. § 16.34.
Limited use and sharing: that USCIS uses those records only for authorized purposes and protects them under the law. Legal basis: 28 C.F.R. § 50.12.
Source: USCIS notice of October 6, 2026 and 28 C.F.R. § 50.12. Verified October 21, 2026.
The right of correction deserves attention. Imagine a case that resolved in your favor but still appears open. Therefore, that error can cause problems later. Still, how to handle it inside an immigration case is exactly the kind of decision assessed with an attorney.
Will this letter get you deported or sent to court?
No. The notice does not create a removal order. Likewise, it does not send the case to immigration court or schedule an appointment with an officer. Rather, it is a privacy notice, not an action against the person.
Now, two things are worth separating. An appointment with an immigration officer or an asylum interview can be scheduled at any time, because that is how the process works. In contrast, that has no relation to this letter and is not caused by it.
Careful: this notice being harmless does not mean an asylum case runs itself. Deadlines, interviews and evidence all keep moving.
What should you do if you received the FBI letter?
Three things, and none is urgent. First, keep it with the rest of your immigration file. Second, confirm that the address USCIS has for you is correct, because future notices will go there. And third, keep monitoring your case so you know when and where your interview will be.
For questions about the document itself, the letter gives the USCIS Contact Center number: 800-375-5283. For questions about your specific case, however, that number does not replace a legal review.
Why does monitoring your asylum case still matter?
Because the letter changes nothing about your process, and the process keeps moving. Interviews get scheduled, deadlines expire and evidence takes time to prepare. In fact, the most common mistake is not ignoring this notice. It is assuming there is nothing to do while waiting.
Likewise, if your case already moved to immigration court, the timelines and rules differ. For example, see our article on tourist visa revocations affecting asylum applicants, which covers a change that does reach certain cases.
What do we recommend to anyone who received the FBI letter?
We recommend not acting out of fear, but not sitting still either. The notice itself requires no answer. However, it is a good reminder that an asylum case needs a strategy. Moreover, that strategy is built before the interview, not after.
At our firm, the review of your case happens in a consultation with attorney Jesús Reyes. Our consultations are not free. However, they allow us to analyze your file thoroughly and tell you honestly what legal alternatives exist in your situation. We also offer emergency consultations, which are scheduled sooner and cost more. You can schedule your consultation here.
You may also want to review our services for political asylum and immigration court representation.
Frequently asked questions about the FBI letter
Is the FBI letter sent by the FBI?
No. USCIS sends it, on Department of Homeland Security letterhead, and it addresses privacy requirements the FBI imposes. The popular name misleads, but the sender is USCIS.
Do I have to answer this notice?
No. The document states expressly that you do not need to take any action at this time. Likewise, you will get a separate notice if USCIS ever needs additional information.
Does it only reach asylum applicants?
No. According to the letter's text, everyone whose biometrics are collected for FBI background checks must receive it. In fact, the type of case does not matter.
Is continuous vetting new?
No. USCIS has applied it since 2017 to naturalization applications and since 2018 to permanent residence applications. The 2026 letter reports on a program that already existed.
What happens if something appears in my record?
According to the official DHS document, no decision is made solely on that information. An officer reviews the match manually before any step. Even so, if you have a record, it is worth reviewing it with an attorney.
Should I keep the letter?
Yes. It is part of your immigration file. Keep it with your receipts, notices and other documents, and maintain a digital backup.
Conclusion
The FBI letter caused more alarm than it deserves, and there is a simple explanation. It arrived while the community is tense, and the agency's name frightens people. Even so, the document is what it says it is: a privacy notice required by law. Therefore, it asks for nothing.
In fact, the useful move is to turn the moment around. If the letter reminded you that your asylum case has gone unreviewed for a while, that is the real signal. It is important that you know your rights.
If you need help with an asylum case or any other immigration matter, contact us. In addition, we handle cases worldwide from our office in Miami, Florida. We are here to advise you and review your specific situation.
See also our frequently asked questions and the other updates on our blog.
