Immigrants in the US to be assessed for anti-American sentiments in forthcoming testing
The United States is tightening its immigration guidelines, with a focus on reviewing the online activities of immigrants for potential anti-American or anti-Semitic statements. This update, announced by US President Donald Trump, aims to strictly enforce immigration laws against those entering the country illegally or residing without valid status.
However, it's important to clarify that this new measure is not related to the checking for anti-Semitic statements in immigrants' online activities, nor is it associated with the expansion of the online pre-screening requirements for immigrants.
The US Department of Homeland Security expanded its guidelines for immigration or naturalization in April. The new criteria explicitly broaden the criteria regarding "anti-American" remarks as part of assessing applicants' good moral character and eligibility for immigration benefits.
USCIS guidance instructs officers to apply greater scrutiny to behaviors or expressions potentially reflecting disloyalty or opposition to U.S. principles. This evaluation is considered within the broader context of the applicant’s positive contributions and reformation efforts, if applicable.
Officers must weigh "anti-Americanism" and related conduct when adjudicating immigrant benefit requests and naturalization applications. The totality of circumstances is considered, balancing negative factors like disloyal statements against positive attributes such as community involvement, family ties, lawful residence, employment, and financial responsibility.
This expanded scrutiny forms part of a renewed emphasis on national security and public safety in immigration vetting, aligned with Executive Order 14161. No precise, enumerated list of forbidden "anti-American" remarks was publicly detailed; rather, the guidelines emphasize discretion based on context and severity.
The new immigration screening guidelines treat "anti-American" remarks as a potentially disqualifying factor under the subjective umbrella of good moral character and national security threat assessment. This evaluation is conducted on a case-by-case basis within a broader, more stringent screening framework.
In addition to the expanded criteria, the US is implementing other changes to immigration screening. This includes restored in-person interview requirements and the elimination of certain interview waivers for visa applicants, coupled with ongoing continuous vetting of visa holders to detect potential violations.
The specific target countries for this measure will be announced later. The US is also planning to require a bond of up to $15,000 for certain tourists and business travelers entering the country. This measure is expected to target countries with high visa overstay rates, such as Chad, Eritrea, Myanmar, Yemen, and Haiti, according to a 2023 Department of Homeland Security report.
USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser stated that immigration benefits should not be granted to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies. He also emphasized that the privilege to live and work in the United States is considered a privilege, not a right.
The bond aims to ensure compliance with visa conditions and timely departure from the USA. It's important to note that this bond is not applicable to visitors from countries under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which includes most EU countries and Germany.
The expansion of the US immigration pre-screening criteria is a response to concerns about immigrants who may hold anti-American or anti-Semitic views. Social platforms are now being examined for "anti-American activities" as part of the expanded criteria. However, the US is not scrutinizing immigrants applying for permanent residence permits for potential "anti-American" remarks online at this time.
This article provides a general overview of the updated US immigration screening guidelines. For specific, detailed information, it's recommended to consult the official USCIS website or seek legal advice.
