US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) continues to release fresh warnings and reminders in the context of the Donald Trump administration’s immigration enforcement and crackdown. On Tuesday (US time), the government agency announced a set of crucial changes, especially targeting immigrants who may have leaned into what the officials are now calling the “anti-American” sentiment.
Furthermore, USCIS’ parent banner, the Department of Homeland Security also re-shared the guidelines, affirming, “America’s benefits should not be given to those who despise this country and promote anti-American ideologies.” In hopes of addressing the situation, authorities said that they would be doubling down on their social media vetting process to pin-point any such expressions of “anti-Americanism.”
USCIS’ new warning on US immigration policies
“USCIS is committed to implementing policies and procedures that root out anti-Americanism and fully support the enforcement of rigorous screening and vetting measures,” the official account shared via X, formerly Twitter.
“We’ve updated our policy guidance to ensure our officers are aware of the factors they may consider in certain benefit requests where an exercise of discretion is required. In addition, we’ve expanded the types of benefit requests that receive social media vetting, and reviews for anti-American activity.”
Further details were mentioned in a news release, titled “USCIS to Consider Anti-Americanism in Immigrant Benefit Requests,” published on Tuesday, August 19. It firmly stated that the US Citizenship and Immigration Services’ sweeping changes would entail updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual.
USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser foregrounded that America’s benefits, including green card, should be held back from those “who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies.” In order to root out such elements from the US society, the official emphasised that they would be going into overdrive while enforcing rigorous screening and vetting measure.
Speaking the tone of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Tragesser reiterated, “Immigration benefits—including to live and work in the United States—remain a privilege, not a right.”
‘Antisemitic terrorism’ labelled as ‘anti-American’ ideologies
The US agency has, as a result, overtly red-flagged certain views and actions which will be out-and-out considered “anti-American.” According to the official news release, officials will be particularly averse of an alien endorsing, promoting or supporting, or even espousing the views of a terrorist organisation or group.
Moreover, migrants or foreign nationals supporting or promoting “anti-American ideologies or activities, antisemitic terrorism and antisemitic terrorist organizations, or who promote antisemitic ideologies” will be on the authorities’ radar.
“When conducting a discretionary analysis, USCIS officers will consider whether an alien’s application for admission or parole was made in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies in effect at the time,” the notice stated.
“This update will also clarify how an exercise of discretion is applied when adjudicating an EB-5 investor petition or application in cases involving threats to the national interest, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, and criminal misuse.”
Despite outrightly singling out antisemitic ideologies, the press release did not mention anything about people harbouring sentiments against other religious inclinations in the US.