USCIS Implements Stricter Vetting for Immigrant Benefits, Targeting Anti-Americanism
USCIS Implements Stricter Vetting for Immigrant Benefits, Targeting Anti-Americanism
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced immediate updates to its Policy Manual, significantly tightening the criteria for evaluating certain immigrant benefit requests. The new guidance empowers USCIS officers to consider an applicant’s involvement in anti-American or terrorist organizations, as well as any evidence of antisemitic activity, when exercising discretion in adjudications.
In a major expansion of its vetting processes, USCIS will now include reviews for anti-American activity in its social media vetting, making it an “overwhelmingly negative factor” in any discretionary analysis. This move underscores a commitment to rigorous screening measures.
USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser stated, “America’s benefits should not be given to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is committed to implementing policies and procedures that root out anti-Americanism and supporting the enforcement of rigorous screening and vetting measures to the fullest extent possible.” He reiterated that “Immigration benefits—including to live and work in the United States—remain a privilege, not a right.”
The updated manual also clarifies that an alien’s compliance with immigration laws is a crucial factor. It provides additional guidance for cases where individuals have endorsed, promoted, or supported terrorist organizations, anti-American ideologies, or antisemitic terrorism. Furthermore, the new directives will clarify the application of discretion in EB-5 investor petitions that involve threats to national interest, fraud, or misrepresentation.
This critical guidance, effective immediately, applies to all pending and newly filed benefit requests, superseding any prior related policies.
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