New training materials for US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers suggest that green card applicants could face increased scrutiny over certain political expressions, including participation in anti-Israel protests or related social media activity.
According to materials reviewed by The New York Times, immigration officers are being advised to treat “anti-American” or antisemitic views as negative factors when evaluating applications for lawful permanent residency.
Examples referenced in the training include social media posts such as “Stop Israeli Terror in Palestine” accompanied by an image of the Israeli flag crossed out, as well as maps showing Israel replaced with “Palestine,” or posts suggesting Israelis should “taste what people in Gaza are tasting.”
The materials also indicate that actions such as desecrating the American flag could weigh against applicants.
A USCIS spokesperson, Zach Kahler, said: “If you hate America, you have no business demanding to live in America.”
