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4w ago

USCIS Issues Guidance Treating Anti-American and Antisemitic Activity as Heavily Negative in Immigration Decisions

Effective immediately, the policy spans naturalization along with other immigration benefits, reflecting a shift toward stricter national‑security screening.

USCIS has revised its guidelines to deny citizenship to applicants with anti-American ideologies, implementing stricter social media vetting and discretion in processing applications.
Green Card applicants major announcement: Over 1,000 foreign students had their visas revoked as of April 14, according to data from Inside Higher Ed, for allegedly engaging in political activities, notably in relation to the ongoing war in Gaza

Overview

  • USCIS updated its Policy Manual on Aug. 19 to instruct officers on how to weigh ideology‑related conduct when exercising discretion on benefit requests.
  • Endorsement or support of terrorist organizations, anti‑American activity, or antisemitic conduct must receive substantial negative discretionary weight, with denial possible even when eligibility is otherwise met.
  • The guidance clarifies discretion across naturalization good‑moral‑character assessments, national interest waivers, EB‑5 cases implicating national interest or fraud, extensions or changes of status, F/M reinstatements, and certain work‑authorization requests.
  • The agency says the update takes effect immediately, and reporting describes expanded social‑media vetting, including claims that applicants may be required to keep accounts public.
  • A USCIS spokesperson said immigration benefits are a privilege rather than a right, while immigration lawyers cited in coverage warn of vague standards, bias risks, and unfair rejections.