U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced changes to screening and vetting procedures after an extensive review period. The agency found a large portion of individuals attaining permanent residency and naturalization weren’t properly vetted. USCIS explained these created gaps in the immigration screening process and posed a massive national security and public safety risk.
Currently, USCIS is still reviewing vetting and screening procedures. However, the agency’s also implementing measures reinforcing these same procedures. These changes include:
- Enhanced Screening and Vetting.
- Shortened validity periods for certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).
- Adopting stricter photographs reuses policies.
- Increasing social media and financial vetting.
- Conducting community interviews.
- Conducting additional background checks, re-interviews and reviews of refugee claims under operation PARRIS.
- Changes to the Internal Review Process.
- Requiring comprehensives reviews by multiple immigration offices before approval.
- Country- Specific Risk Analysis.
- Compiling information on each country and recording which have the highest risk factors. Risk factors include indicators of fraud, public safety, or national security risks.
- Enhanced Vetting Plan Development.
- Expanding background checks and conducting ad hoc security checks to close security gaps.
- Guidance for Adjudicators.
- Developing resources that help agents interview applicants from countries with high risks of fraud or designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
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.