What is USCIS Anti-Americanism and How Does It Affect Immigration?
- Santiago Legal
- Sep 18
- 2 min read
On August 19, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its Policy Manual to include a new criterion in the discretionary evaluation of immigration benefits: USCIS Anti-Americanism.
This change has raised concerns among immigration lawyers and rights advocates due to the vagueness of the term and the potential ethical, legal, and constitutional implications.
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What does USCIS Anti-Americanism mean?
USCIS now considers any activity construed as un-American to be an “overwhelming negative factor.” Under this new policy, USCIS's anti-Americanism criteria may include:
Support for terrorist or anti-Semitic organizations
Expressions on social media that reflect contempt for the United States
Social or political activism interpreted as “anti-American”
Additionally, USCIS has expanded social media monitoring for applications such as parole, waivers, naturalization, and programs like EB-5.
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Why is this new immigration policy worrying?
Immigration discretion is already a complex field. Including the concept of anti-Americanism in USCIS opens the door to significant risks, such as:
Different ideological or political interpretations depending on the officer
Possible violations of freedom of expression
Unequal evaluations among applicants with similar situations
At Santiago Legal, we believe this policy could be used to penalize legitimate opinions or social activism among immigrants.
How can applicants protect themselves?
In light of the implementation of USCIS's anti-Americanism, our team recommends that immigrants take preventive measures:
Strengthen evidence of good moral character in applications
Review posts and social media before filing a case
Consult with an immigration attorney to create a solid strategy
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Our commitment to your case
Immigration is a legal process, not an ideological judgment. At Santiago Legal, we believe that every person deserves to be evaluated objectively, respectfully, and without political bias.
If you're in Minnesota or nearby cities and need guidance on how the USCIS Anti-Americanism policy may affect your immigration case, don't forget to contact Santiago Legal. Our team will help you protect your story and your voice, and create a solid strategy to confidently navigate this new requirement.
Did you know that USCIS can now deny immigration benefits for “anti-Americanism”?
Monitoring includes your social networks.
At Santiago Legal , we help you protect your story without losing your voice.
Legal Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is unique, and it is recommended that you consult with an immigration attorney before making decisions that may affect your immigration status.
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