- The Trump administration requires screening visa applicants for anti-Americanism and social media checks
- USCIS policy states anti-American activity is a negative factor in visa and green card decisions
- Screening includes involvement in anti-American, terrorist, or antisemitic organisations
In yet another diktat, the Donald Trump administration has asked the immigration officers to screen visa and green card applicants for "anti-Americanism," including having their social media checked. The news comes as a concern for thousands of Indian students and professionals seeking a better life in the US, as the acceptance of their visa, green card, or US citizenship applications now depends on whether the concerned official perceives their past and present views as pro-American.
"Anti-American activity will be an overwhelmingly negative factor in any discretionary analysis," said the policy update by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)-- America's immigration agency.
Under the new policy, immigration officers will screen applicants to check whether they have had "any involvement in anti-American or terrorist organisations," or whether there is any "evidence of antisemitic activity." Social media vetting, which the Trump administration had already included in immigration since June, will now be expanded to add searches for any "anti-American activity."
"America's benefits should not be given to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies," said USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser in a statement.
He added that the immigration agency was "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."
"Immigration benefits-including to live and work in the United States-remain a privilege, not a right," he added.
What Is "Anti-Americanism"
Team Trump's new policy did not specifically define what "anti-Americanism" is, but said it included those who supported "antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organisations, and antisemitic ideologies."
It also pointed to a section of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) as an example of "anti-American" ideologies. A section in the Act bans certain people-- including members of various Communist parties, those who write or distribute materials opposing "all organised government," those who advocate for "world communism," or those who wish to overthrow the US government by force or violence -- from becoming naturalised citizens.
US Crackdown On Immigration
The latest crackdown on immigration regulations by the Trump administration is likely to deter immigrants and international students from coming to the US.
Earlier this week, the Trump administration said the US State Department has revoked more than 6,000 student visas this year. Before that, the State Department had asked the embassies and consulates to vet student visa applicants for "hostile attitudes towards our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles."
As per this recent policy, USCIS officials will also scrutinise whether applicants have endorsed, promoted, supported, or otherwise espoused the views of a terrorist organisation or group, or whether they support or promote anti-American ideologies or activities, antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic ideologies and antisemitic terrorist organisations.
