Immigrants who express political opinions can now be denied a path to citizenship under new guidance from the Trump administration, a report claimed.
That includes immigrants who post criticism of Israel on social media, burn the American flag and participate in pro-Palestinian protests, according to The New York Times, citing internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) training materials.
The updated guidance reportedly discourages granting green cards to individuals who endorse, promote or support ‘anti–American views.’
That could include someone ‘holding a sign advocating overthrow of the US government,’ the report claimed.
Burning the American flag will also be considered a negative factor by immigration authorities, following President Donald Trump‘s executive order last year directing the Department of Justice to prosecute individuals who burned the Stars and Stripes.
Those with a history of ‘antisemitic terrorism, ideologies or groups’ could also encounter greater obstacles on their path to American citizenship.
Immigration officers were told to focus on applicants who supposedly spread antisemitism ‘through rhetorical or physical actions.’
In particular, they were told to hone in on ‘aliens who engaged in on–campus anti–American and antisemitic activities’ following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, the report added.
The Trump administration has reportedly issued new guidance that could result in immigrants who express political opinions being denied a path to citizenship
Immigration officers were told to focus on ‘aliens who engaged in on–campus anti–American and antisemitic activities.’ Picture of a pro-Palestine protest at Columbia University
Green card approvals have been slashed by about half over the last year as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration
The updated guidance was issued last month to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers, which handles green card and visa applications.
USCIS, which was formed in March 2003, is an agency of the DHS.
‘If you hate America, you have no business demanding to live in America,’ a USCIS spokesman told The New York Times.
One example of behavior that could face increased scrutiny shown in the documents included a social media post depicting a map of Israel with the country’s name crossed out and replaced with ‘Palestine.’
Another instance of what would be considered antisemitic featured a post saying that Israelis should ‘taste what people in Gaza are tasting,’ according to the report.
When immigration officers spot cases that involve ‘potential anti–American and/or antisemitic conduct or ideology,’ those must be reported to their managers and the USCIS general counsel’s office for review.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told the outlet that the policies had ‘nothing to do with free speech’ and were to protect ‘American institutions, the safety of citizens, national security and the freedoms of the United States.’
Joseph Edlow, the USCIS director, said in February that there was ‘no room in America for aliens who espouse anti–American ideologies or support terrorist organizations’
The new USCIS guidance also reportedly urged immigration officers to negatively consider individuals who had burned or desecrated the American flag
USCIS announced in September that its law enforcement officers would be allowed to make arrests, carry firearms and execute search warrants
The USCIS director, Joseph Edlow, told House lawmakers in February that ‘there is no room in America for aliens who espouse anti–American ideologies or support terrorist organizations.’
Edlow, who was nominated by Trump last March to serve in his current position, said that ‘protecting Americans is at the heart of everything we do at USCIS.’
‘We are committed to safeguarding public safety and national security by ensuring that every alien undergoes the most rigorous vetting and screening processes possible,’ he added.
The Trump administration has cracked down on immigration since taking office.
Over the last year, green card approvals have been slashed by about half, according to the Cato Institute.
In September, USCIS announced that it would expand its law enforcement authorities and would now be allowed to make arrests, carry firearms and execute search warrants.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last March that at least 300 student visas of pro–Palestinian demonstrators had already been revoked, Politico reported.
‘Every time I find one of these lunatics I take away their visa,’ Rubio added. ‘Might be more than 300 at this point. Might be more. We do it every day.’
Rubio said he thought it was ‘stupid for any country in the world to welcome people into their country that are going to go to your universities as visitors and say, “I’m going to your universities to start a riot.”‘
Last January, Trump called for the Department of Justice to ‘investigate and punish anti-Jewish racism in leftist, anti-American colleges and universities’
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last March that at least 300 student visas, if not more, had already been revoked
This came after Trump signed an executive order last January intended to ‘combat anti-semitism.’
Trump called for the Justice Department to ‘protect law and order, quell pro-Hamas vandalism and intimidation, and investigate and punish anti-Jewish racism in leftist, anti-American colleges and universities.’
The announcement for Trump’s executive order said ‘pro-Hamas aliens and left-wing radicals began a campaign of intimidation, vandalism, and violence on the campuses and streets of America’ following October 7, 2023.
‘To all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests, we put you on notice,’ Trump said then.
He added: ‘I will also quickly cancel the student visas of all Hamas sympathizers on college campuses, which have been infested with radicalism like never before.’
Currently, US law already forbids individuals from becoming US citizens if they are members of the Communist Party of the United States, the Communist Political Association and any other communist or totalitarian party.
Individuals who call for the ‘overthrow by force, violence or other unconstitutional means’ of the US government are also barred from naturalization.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the DHS for comment.
