The Trump administration has reportedly issued new immigration guidance allowing officials to weigh political speech and social media activity when deciding whether immigrants should receive green cards or advance toward U.S. citizenship.
According to a report citing internal Department of Homeland Security training materials, immigrants who express certain political views online could now face greater scrutiny during the immigration process.
The updated guidance was reportedly sent last month to officers at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency that handles green card and visa applications.
The materials said officers should negatively consider applicants who endorse, promote, or support what the administration describes as “anti-American views.”
Examples cited in the report included social media criticism of Israel, participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, burning the American flag, or displaying messages that support overthrowing the U.S. government.
One cited example involved a post showing a map of Israel with the country’s name crossed out and replaced with “Palestine.”
Another example reportedly referenced a message saying Israelis should “taste what people in Gaza are tasting.”
The guidance also told officers to focus on applicants connected to “antisemitic terrorism, ideologies or groups.”
Officials were reportedly instructed to pay special attention to immigrants involved in campus protests following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
Cases involving “potential anti-American and/or antisemitic conduct or ideology” were to be elevated to supervisors and the USCIS general counsel’s office for further review.
A USCIS spokesman defended the policy, saying, “If you hate America, you have no business demanding to live in America.”
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the measures were not about free speech but about protecting national security, citizens, and American institutions.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow previously told lawmakers there is “no room in America for aliens who espouse anti-American ideologies or support terrorist organizations.”
He said protecting Americans is central to the agency’s mission.
The policy comes amid a broader immigration crackdown.
According to the report, green card approvals have been cut roughly in half over the last year, citing the Cato Institute, per the Daily Mail.
USCIS also expanded enforcement powers last September, allowing agency officers to make arrests, carry firearms, and execute search warrants.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month that at least 300 student visas tied to pro-Palestinian demonstrators had already been revoked.
He added that the number could be higher.
Current U.S. law already blocks naturalization for members of certain communist or totalitarian parties and for people advocating violent overthrow of the government.
The new guidance appears to broaden how ideology and political behavior are evaluated beyond those longstanding categories.
