The government mandates enhanced security checks for immigration applicants, per new internal guidance given to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) employees. Per the internal guidance, USCIS officers refrain from approving pending immigration cases if they haven’t undergone extended background checks. The new guidelines went into effect on April 27, 2026.
According to Reuters, the new guidance gives authorities from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) access to criminal history record information (CHRI). USCIS officers must resubmit fingerprints for pending cases to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) database. The additional immigration security checks help agents better identify potential public safety and national security threats.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical you get the right advice.