The Trump administration has issued new guidance allowing immigration officials to reject green card applications based on an applicant’s political views.
Internal Department of Homeland Security documents revealed that applications that criticized Israel or have any connection to pro-Palestinian protests may be rejected.
As the New York Times reports, training materials received last month by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officers directed officials to treat “anti-American” and “anti-Semitic” views as “extremely negative” factors when evaluating applications for permanent residency.
Notable examples include a social media post declaring “Stop Israeli Terrorism in Palestine.”
Images, such as the crossed out flag of Israel, or a map of Israel replaced by the word “Palestine”, were also added.
Immigration officials will report all instances of “conduct or ideology” to agency managers and general counsel for detailed evaluation.
Other significant negative factors include flag discretion and holding signs advocating the overthrow of the U.S. government. However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling qualifies flag burning as “protected speech” under the First Amendment.
Under the updated guidelines, individuals engaged directly or indirectly in “anti-American and anti-Semitic activities on campus” after October 7, 2023 will be subject to increased application review.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow defended the new guidance, saying “there is no place in America for aliens who espouse anti-American ideologies.”
