Washington: The US administration has asked the immigration officers to screen visa and green card applicants for "anti-Americanism," including having their social media checked.
"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.
USCIS announced that officers will examine whether applicants have “endorsed, promoted, supported, or otherwise espoused” anti-American, terrorist or antisemitic views.
“America's benefits should not be given to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies,” said Matthew Tragesser, a USCIS spokesman. “Immigration benefits — including to live and work in the United States — remain a privilege, not a right.”
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."
US revokes 6,000 student visas linked to crimes, terrorThe United States has revoked over 6,000 international student visas after investigations revealed violations of law, overstays, and direct involvement in serious crimes. The US State Department confirmed that the cancellations included cases connected to terrorism. The large-scale action underscores Washington’s increasing scrutiny of international student visas. With more than 1.1 million foreign students enrolled in US colleges during the 2023-24 academic year, authorities have grown concerned about the misuse of education visas for unlawful purposes. Of the total cancellations, about two-thirds, nearly 4,000 visas, were linked directly to criminal offences. A smaller but significant number of cases, between 200 and 300, were tied to terrorism. |
