The Trump administration has rolled out enhanced security checks and other measures related to legal immigration, according to a new report.
CBS News cited internal government documents showing that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) told officers to resubmit pending applications for asylum, green cards, and U.S. citizenship, so that they can undergo enhanced FBI scrutiny.
The guidance told officers not to approve any pending cases unless they have gone through the enhanced background checks, the outlet added.
In February, President Trump issued an executive order that cleared the way for such enhanced scrutiny of immigrants following legal processes. In it, Trump stated that the U.S. Attorney General was to provide access to the criminal history record information (CHRI) database to the Department of Homeland Security.
"It is the policy of the United States to protect its welfare and security, and the welfare and security of its citizens, from criminal actors. Such criminal actors may include foreign nationals with criminal histories who have entered or remained in the United States in violation of the immigration laws," the order states.
USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler told CBS News that they had "implemented new security checks to strengthen the vetting and screening of applicants through expanded access to federal criminal databases."
"Processing is ongoing as we apply these enhanced background check requirements. Any delay in decision issuance should be brief and resolved shortly," Kahler told CBS News. "USCIS will always prioritize the safety of the American people."
The background checks represent only the latest requirement Trump has rolled out regarding legal immigrant applications. Previously, the administration announced it would be collecting the social media handles of prospective immigrants and evaluating their content.
"This data will be collected from certain populations of individuals on applications for immigration-related benefits and is necessary for the enhanced identity verification, vetting and national security screening, and inspection conducted by USCIS," the order states.
The administration also announced in April of last year that it would screen social media content of prospective immigrants for antisemitic posts or for supporting organizations that support terrorism. The policy content that might support terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, or Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis.
"There is no room in the United States for the rest of the world's terrorist sympathizers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here," DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said at the time.
