Increased Security Screening for Immigrants Under Trump Administration
The Trump administration is intensifying security scrutiny for various categories of immigrants seeking legal immigration benefits, with some cases facing suspension during the implementation of these new measures. This information comes from internal government documents reviewed by CBS News.
USCIS Guidance on Background Checks
Internal directives recently issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) indicate that employees are now required to re-evaluate pending applications for immigration benefits, including asylum, green cards, and U.S. citizenship. These applications must undergo enhanced background checks conducted by the FBI, according to the documents.
Pending Cases Not to Be Approved Without Enhanced Checks
USCIS officers have received instructions to refrain from approving any pending cases unless they have cleared the newly instituted background checks. Historically, USCIS has utilized FBI databases to scrutinize applications flagged for potential national security or public safety concerns. However, the documents suggest that these increased checks stem from the FBI’s recent decision to extend access to USCIS’ criminal history database, following an executive order by President Trump issued in February.
Executive Order Expanding Criminal History Database Access
This executive mandate instructed the Department of Justice, which oversees the FBI, to grant USCIS full access to its criminal history database to assist in identifying individuals with criminal records. President Trump noted in the order that such offenders could include immigrants who have violated U.S. immigration laws or those intending to break U.S. criminal laws.
Impact on Pending Applications and Sponsorship Petitions
The enhanced background checks will primarily affect pending applications that necessitate fingerprint submissions, including green card and naturalization applications. Additionally, these checks extend to sponsorship petitions submitted on behalf of relatives or fiancés of U.S. citizens and green card holders.
Responsiveness and Priorities of USCIS
USCIS officials have been directed to resubmit fingerprint tests if relevant case information from the FBI was received prior to April 27. If an officer intends to deny an application, they are not required to resubmit it. In a statement to CBS News, USCIS Spokesperson Zach Kahler confirmed that the agency has initiated new security measures to enhance applicant vetting through better access to federal criminal databases. Kahler reassured that any delays in processing applications would be minimal and quickly resolved, emphasizing USCIS’s commitment to safeguarding American citizens.
Ongoing Changes in Immigration Policy
The introduction of these detailed security checks exemplifies a broader trend under the Trump administration aimed at tightening vetting processes for those applying for immigration benefits. Since President Trump took office, USCIS has initiated several policies designed to increase scrutiny on immigration applications, including examining an applicant’s social media presence for indications of “anti-American” sentiments.
Asylum Applications and Travel Ban Update
Furthermore, the current administration has notably slowed or halted the processing of numerous immigration cases. Recently, USCIS suspended all asylum applications and froze legal immigration requests from nationals of 39 countries affected by the executive order known as the “travel ban.” Although the asylum moratorium was reduced last month, the travel ban remains in effect for immigrants from designated countries as highlighted in previous reports by CBS News.
