The Department of Homeland Security has rolled out new rules directing immigration officers to consider conduct deemed “anti-American” when deciding whether migrants can move forward in securing legal status, reflecting the Trump administration’s broader “America First” stance on immigration.
“America’s benefits should not be given to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is 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,” said USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser. “Immigration benefits—including to live and work in the United States—remain a privilege, not a right.”
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According to the new guidelines, behaviors such as promoting antisemitic views, sharing anti-American messages online, or showing support for terrorist groups will weigh heavily against an applicant when U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) evaluates their case. This is effective immediately and applies to the pending cases or filed on or after the publication date as well.
USCIS has also revised its policy manual to spell out the factors immigration officers must weigh when deciding on certain benefit requests. The updated guidance highlights past parole applications, any ties to anti-American or terrorist groups, and even cases involving antisemitic activity as issues that will count strongly against an applicant. In addition, the agency has broadened the scope of social media checks with reviews for anti-American rhetoric now formally part of the vetting process. Such activity, officials said, will be treated as a major strike in discretionary decisions.
This comes after the USCIS has stated about the “moral character.” While details of how this “moral character” assessment will be carried out are still emerging, series of posts posted on the X by USCIS shows how they are trying to incorporate this into the country.
“USCIS is adding a new element to the naturalization process that ensures America’s newest citizens not only embrace America’s culture, history, and language but who also demonstrate good moral character,” Tragesser said.
What stands out is how USCIS is using its official X account as both a policy channel and a warning mechanism. Posts highlighting arrests of undocumented immigrants, such as one involving a Honduran woman with a 24-year-old removal order, serve as cautionary tales for others in similar situations. As shared by on X, stating “An illegal alien from Honduras came to our Orlando office but a judge ordered her removed 24 years ago. She was immediately arrested by our partners @ICEgov and @FHPOrlando and will be going back to Honduras.”
Another case shared by the agency on X, stating, “If you’re in the U.S. illegally, now is the time to self-deport. An illegal alien from the Dominican Republic came to our Orlando office — but an immigration judge ordered him removed 23 years ago. He was immediately arrested by our partners @ICEgov and @FHPOrlando and will be deported.” By showcasing such cases publicly, USCIS signals that past violations can resurface unexpectedly and that the agency is working in lockstep with partners like ICE to enforce removals.
These postings function similarly to warnings. They show to immigrants that their prior behaviour, their internet posts, and their adherence to immigration regulations are being constantly monitored.
The message from the government is that immigration is a privilege, not a guarantee and it can be taken away if someone is seen as acting against American values. For many immigrants, this means even old records, social media activity, or statements seen as “anti-American” could end up affecting their chances of staying in the U.S.
As the danger here is the wide net this casts. Terms like “anti-American” are not always clear and can be open to interpretation. Even voicing an opinion or criticizing U.S. policy on social media might be seen adversely in this new environment.
The danger is that people may be penalized not for any wrongdoing, but for their words or online associations. This raises the level of uncertainty even more. An applicant may be followed into the interview room by their digital footprint, which includes tweets, postings, and previous remarks. Additionally, it can cause communities to self-censor, refraining from even minor criticism of government policies for fear that it could be used against them in the future.
By treating immigration as a privilege that can be revoked, the government is also shifting the power dynamic since applicants are no longer just proving their eligibility, they are proving their loyalty. This places people in an unstable position where caution and quiet become survival tactics, which can restrict free speech and increase the stress of everyday living in America.
All of this feeds into USCIS’s new emphasis on “moral character” as a requirement for citizenship. While the agency frames it as a way to ensure new Americans uphold the country’s values, the practical effect is that personal beliefs, past choices, and even online speech are now part of the scrutiny.