The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that visa or green card applicants who are deemed to hold “anti-American ideologies” could face obstacles in securing U.S. citizenship. The policy update expands social media vetting and grants officers broader discretion in evaluating applications.
According to the revised USCIS Policy Manual, officers will now weigh factors such as prior parole requests, potential involvement with anti-American or terrorist groups, and any evidence of antisemitic activity when making discretionary decisions on benefit requests.
The agency emphasized that the updated guidance takes effect immediately, requiring applicants to keep their social media accounts public as part of enhanced vetting. The scope of what qualifies as “anti-American activity” has also been broadened.
“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,” USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser said in an official statement. “Immigration benefits—including to live and work in the United States—remain a privilege, not a right.”
The USCIS website explains that officers will assess whether applications for admission or parole align with all relevant laws and regulations at the time of filing. The update also clarifies how discretion should be applied in cases such as EB-5 investor petitions where issues like national security threats, fraud, misrepresentation, or criminal misuse are involved. Officers are instructed to weigh both positive attributes and negative conduct when determining eligibility.
Several immigration attorneys have criticized the move, warning that it could lead to biased interpretations and unjust denials of citizenship applications.
