US Introduces ‘Enhanced’ Security Checks for Immigration Applicants
The United States has introduced new “enhanced” security screening measures for immigration applicants under updated guidance from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), part of the Department of Homeland Security.
According to internal communications cited by Reuters, the new system requires expanded background checks for all applicants undergoing fingerprint-based screening. USCIS officers have also been instructed not to approve pending cases unless the updated security checks are fully completed.
The policy took effect on April 27, 2026, and involves the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Next Generation Identification system, which provides broader access to criminal history record information.
The changes will impact applications for permanent residency, green cards, asylum, and naturalization. Applicants whose fingerprints were previously processed may be required to undergo rescreening under the revised system.
A USCIS spokesperson said the updated process is intended to “strengthen vetting and screening of applicants through expanded access to federal criminal databases,” adding that any delays in processing should be temporary.
The move is part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy under the Trump administration, which has prioritized stricter border controls and tighter security checks since early 2025.
However, the policy has drawn criticism from civil rights organizations and human rights advocates, who argue that the crackdown risks undermining due process protections and could disproportionately affect ethnic minority communities.
Officials maintain that the enhanced screening is aimed at improving national security and ensuring thorough verification of all immigration applicants.
