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Immigrants seeking a legal pathway to live and work in the United States will now face new scrutiny over alleged “anti-American” activity as part of their benefit requests, according to updated guidance by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The revised policy manual directs officers to consider whether applicants have previously supported, endorsed, or promoted anti-American or terrorist ideologies. Antisemitic activity and affiliation with antisemitic organizations will also weigh heavily against applicants in cases where officers exercise discretion.
Expanded vetting through social media
USCIS has also widened the scope of social media checks to cover more categories of benefit requests. Reviews for anti-American activity will now be added to that vetting. The agency said such behaviour will be treated as a strongly negative factor when deciding whether to grant immigration benefits.
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“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,” said USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser.
Impact on discretionary analysis
The updated policy emphasizes that compliance with immigration laws will remain a key factor in decision-making. Officers will now be guided to deny applications where evidence shows support for terrorist groups, antisemitic terrorism, or the promotion of anti-American ideologies.
The changes also extend to EB-5 investor petitions and other applications where issues of national security, fraud, misrepresentation, or criminal misuse are involved.
With this update, USCIS underlined that while immigration benefits offer opportunities to live and work in the United States, they are considered a privilege and not an entitlement.
The revised policy manual directs officers to consider whether applicants have previously supported, endorsed, or promoted anti-American or terrorist ideologies. Antisemitic activity and affiliation with antisemitic organizations will also weigh heavily against applicants in cases where officers exercise discretion.
Expanded vetting through social media
USCIS has also widened the scope of social media checks to cover more categories of benefit requests. Reviews for anti-American activity will now be added to that vetting. The agency said such behaviour will be treated as a strongly negative factor when deciding whether to grant immigration benefits.
(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
“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,” said USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser.
Impact on discretionary analysis
The updated policy emphasizes that compliance with immigration laws will remain a key factor in decision-making. Officers will now be guided to deny applications where evidence shows support for terrorist groups, antisemitic terrorism, or the promotion of anti-American ideologies.
The changes also extend to EB-5 investor petitions and other applications where issues of national security, fraud, misrepresentation, or criminal misuse are involved.
With this update, USCIS underlined that while immigration benefits offer opportunities to live and work in the United States, they are considered a privilege and not an entitlement.
