USCIS Expands Social Media Vetting to Include “Anti-American” Activity

In late August 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) revised the Policy Manual to broaden the scope of social media vetting in immigration adjudications. The new guidance makes clear that expressions of “anti-American” views—including support for extremist or antisemitic ideologies—will now be weighed heavily negatively in discretionary immigration decisions.

What Changed

This policy update explicitly integrates social media activity into the agency’s discretion framework. USCIS officers are now instructed to assign “significant negative discretionary weight” to evidence of anti-American behavior, which could affect outcomes across a broad range of immigration categories including adjustment of status, employment authorization, and immigrant petitions.

Why It Matters

By expanding digital vetting beyond public safety concerns, USCIS is formalizing online behavior as a factor in immigration decisions. While aimed at safeguarding national security, the policy raises questions about free expression and consistency in adjudication—especially given the potentially vague or subjective nature of what qualifies as “anti-American.”

Applicants and their representatives may want to review their online presence and consult legal guidance before filing. Understanding how digital behavior intersects with immigration standards is now more critical than ever 

Connecting to Our Mission

At AIILP, we monitor policy developments like this to highlight how technological and discretionary tools shape immigration outcomes. Our mission is to blend rigorous analysis, public education, and advocacy to ensure that reform in immigration law remains fair, transparent, and focused on due process—not unduly influenced by undefined standards.