The United States government has implemented a new screening process for immigrants seeking legal pathways to live and work in the country. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will now assess applicants for “anti-Americanism,” in addition to existing security checks.
Under the new policy, immigration officers will consider whether an applicant has “endorsed, promoted, supported, or otherwise espoused” anti-American, terrorist, or antisemitic views when reviewing applications for benefits such as green cards. A USCIS spokesperson stated that immigration benefits are a “privilege, not a right,” and should not be granted to those who “despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies.”
The specific criteria for what constitutes “anti-Americanism” have not been clearly defined, leading to concerns among critics that the policy could be applied subjectively. Some worry that this could allow for an officer’s personal bias to influence their decisions, potentially leading to unfair rejections.
This policy change is one of several implemented by the current administration, including increased social media vetting and a “good moral character” assessment for naturalization applicants. The constitutionality of the new screening process is being debated, with some experts arguing that First Amendment rights do not extend to non-citizens outside the U.S., while others maintain that the Constitution protects all people within the United States, regardless of their immigration status.
Immigration attorneys are advising their clients to be aware of the new, stricter standards. The policy is seen by some as an effort to “shrink the strike zone” for immigration applicants, making the process more challenging.
