US to now scrutinise 'Anti-Americanism' in immigration requests
The revised policy manual directs officers to consider whether applicants have previously supported, endorsed, or promoted anti-American or terrorist ideologies. Antisemitic activity and affiliation with antisemitic organizations will also weigh heavily against applicants in cases where officers exercise discretion.
Expanded vetting through social media
USCIS has also widened the scope of social media checks to cover more categories of benefit requests. Reviews for anti-American activity will now be added to that vetting. The agency said such behaviour will be treated as a strongly negative factor when deciding whether to grant immigration benefits. '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,' said USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser.
Impact on discretionary analysis The updated policy emphasizes that compliance with immigration laws will remain a key factor in decision-making. Officers will now be guided to deny applications where evidence shows support for terrorist groups, antisemitic terrorism, or the promotion of anti-American ideologies.
The changes also extend to EB-5 investor petitions and other applications where issues of national security, fraud, misrepresentation, or criminal misuse are involved.
With this update, USCIS underlined that while immigration benefits offer opportunities to live and work in the United States, they are considered a privilege and not an entitlement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
22 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Misplaced': India rejects Bangladesh's allegations of Awami League ‘activities' in Delhi, Kolkata
India on Wednesday dismissed allegations by Bangladesh that Awami League-linked offices in Kolkata and New Delhi were involved in 'anti-Bangladesh activities.' The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called Dhaka's charge 'misplaced,' stressing that no such activity is permitted from Indian soil and reiterating its support for 'free, fair and inclusive' elections in Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi foreign ministry, in a statement earlier today claimed that 'Awami League-linked offices' were being run in India, allegedly by leaders and activists taking refuge across the border. Dhaka called on New Delhi to 'immediately ensure the closure' of alleged Awami League-linked centres, warning they amounted to 'an affront against the people and State of Bangladesh.' In a post on X, the Bangladesh foreign ministry wrote, 'Activities by the banned BANGLADESH AWAMI LEAGUE on Indian soil risks long-term friendship and multifarious engagements between Bangladesh & India as also mutual trust and respect between two people.' According to Dhaka, 'absconding members of a banned political party' were conducting campaigns in India that undermined Bangladesh's interests, with purported offices said to be operating in Kolkata and New Delhi. Activities by the banned BANGLADESH AWAMI LEAGUE on Indian soil risks long-term friendship and multifarious engagements between #Bangladesh & #India as also mutual trust and respect between two (🇧🇩-🇮🇳) #people. — Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@BDMOFA) August 20, 2025 'Any form of political activity campaigning against the interests of Bangladesh by Bangladeshi nationals, particularly by the absconding leaders/activists of a banned political party, staying on Indian soil, legally or illegally, including the establishment of offices, is an unambiguous affront against the people and State of Bangladesh,' the statement read. 'This development also risks upholding the good-neighbourly relations with India driven by mutual trust and mutual respect, and lends serious implications for the political transformation underway in Bangladesh,' the statement mentioned, adding that the issue 'might also trigger public sentiment in Bangladesh, which may in turn impact the ongoing efforts of the two countries in further enhancing the relationship between the two closest neighbours.' 'The government of Bangladesh, therefore, would urge the government of India to take immediate steps to ensure that no anti-Bangladesh activity is undertaken by any Bangladeshi national from being in the Indian soil…,' the statement added. India has rejected Dhaka's accusations, saying it had no knowledge of such activities and would not allow them under any circumstances. 'The Government of India is not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities by purported members of the Awami League in India or of any action that is contrary to Indian law. The Government does not allow political activities against other countries to be carried out from Indian soil,' the MEA said. Calling the charge 'misplaced,' New Delhi reiterated its position on Bangladesh's political future, saying that 'free, fair and inclusive elections will be held at the earliest in Bangladesh to ascertain the will and mandate of the people.' Our response to media queries on the Press Statement issued by the Interim Government of Bangladesh⬇️ 🔗 — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) August 20, 2025 The Awami League, led by former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has come under mounting pressure since last year's student-led protests. Amid intensifying unrest and accusations of authoritarian rule, Hasina stepped down and has since been living in exile in India. Hasina and her party have rejected the charges against them as politically motivated, calling them part of a larger campaign by rivals and Islamist forces to erase her influence from Bangladesh's political landscape.
News18
31 minutes ago
- News18
'Out Of Control': Donald Trump Says US Museums Focus Too Much On 'How Bad Slavery Was'
Donald Trump criticized US museums for focusing on negative history, like slavery. US President Donald Trump accused American museums of focusing disproportionately on the darker chapters of the nation's past- including 'how bad slavery was." In a post on his Truth Social platform, Donald Trump said he had instructed his attorneys to review the country's museums, comparing the move to his ongoing crackdown on universities. 'The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been- Nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future," Donald Trump wrote. Donald Trump's comments follow last week's White House announcement of an extensive review of the Smithsonian Institution, which oversees many of the nation's most prominent museums. In a letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, three senior aides to the president wrote that the initiative 'aims to ensure alignment with the US President's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions." Museum scholars have raised concerns about the plan as Janet Marstine, a museum ethics expert, warned that the administration's demands 'set the Smithsonian up for failure," calling them unrealistic given the breadth of materials requested. The White House has asked the institution to produce everything from internal emails and memos to digital copies of all gallery placards currently on display. Earlier this year, Donald Trump issued an executive order assigning Vice President JD Vance- who sits on the Smithsonian's Board of Regents- to oversee efforts to halt federal funding for exhibits deemed out of step with the administration's agenda. The US President's latest stance marks a sharp departure from his first term, when he praised the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture during a 2017 visit. At the time, Donald Trump said he was 'deeply proud" of a museum that honored 'the millions of African American men and women who built our national heritage." Founded in the 1840s with funds from British scientist James Smithson's estate, the Smithsonian is a federally supported trust but not an executive branch agency. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
HC orders screening of CCTV footage of Nainital poll counting
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand high court (HC) bench of Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Subhash Upadhyay on Wednesday directed that CCTV footage of the zila panchayat president election counting in Nainital be screened. The court was hearing a petition filed by Poonam Bisht, one of the 22 voters in the election, who alleged that a ballot was tampered with during counting on the intervening night of Aug 14-15. The bench ordered that the footage, preserved in the treasury locker, be shown at 11 am on Thursday at the district magistrate's (DM) office. DM Vandana Singh will arrange for the screening and ensure videography of the process. Bisht's counsel has alleged that an officer tampered with a ballot paper, adding to the controversy surrounding the result. The HC directed that the petitioner, govt counsels, the State Election Commission's advocate and both presidential candidates -- Deepa Darmwal and Pushpa Negi -- be present during the review of CCTV and video recordings. The bench clarified that only nine individuals will attend the screening: three advocates from the petitioner's side, three from the govt, the SEC advocate, and the two candidates. Security for the process will be handled by SP (city) Jagdish Chandra. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo At the hearing earlier in the day, the DM informed the court that one voter had marked only a second preference without indicating a first choice, rendering the vote invalid under election rules. "The tally was equal, so a lottery was conducted to decide the winner. I saw the entire process, as did the observer and it is recorded in the CCTV footage," she told the court. Singh added that both candidates were given two opportunities to examine the process and review the ballots, once during the counting itself and again on Aug 19. The next hearing is scheduled for Thursday. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
