US Immigration Policy Under Fire for ‘Anti-Americanism’ Screening

US Immigration Policy Under Fire for ‘Anti-Americanism’ Screening

By TheNationWeek.Com  |  August 26, 2025

WASHINGTON – A new United States immigration policy screening visa applicants for signs of “anti-Americanism” is drawing criticism and raising concerns about potential bias and free speech violations.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) disclosed on Tuesday (Aug. 19, 2025) that immigration officials can now examine applicants’ social media and other records for links to “anti-American or terrorist organizations” or “evidence of antisemitic behavior.”

The enhanced scrutiny, which began in June, is part of a series of immigration restrictions initiated during the previous administration.

USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser stated the policy aims to prevent individuals who “harbor disdain for the nation and advocate anti-American ideologies” from benefiting from living in the US.

The policy update cites the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), including provisions banning naturalization for individuals linked to communist groups or those seeking to overthrow the US government.

However, the lack of a clear definition of “anti-Americanism” is fueling concerns that the policy could be applied arbitrarily and unfairly.

Online forums are filled with questions about what actions might be considered anti-American.

Immigration law experts have also expressed apprehension about the new policy.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, noted the term’s lack of definition in immigration law.

Houston-based immigration attorney Steven Brown said American values are “a subjective standard not articulated in the INA.”

Critics also pointed to the potential for bias in the policy’s implementation.

Jane Lilly Lopez, an associate sociology professor at Brigham Young University, warned that it could allow “stereotypes, prejudice, and implicit bias to influence decision-making.”

The new screening protocols coincide with other recent immigration measures, including the State Department’s cancellation of over 6,000 student visas and increased scrutiny of student visa applicants for “hostile attitudes” towards US citizens and institutions.

Legal challenges and further scrutiny are expected as immigration advocates and civil liberties organizations raise concerns about the policy’s potential for misuse and its impact on free speech and due process rights.