- Last week saw another move by the Trump Administration to restrict future immigration, and political participation. This time, the administration has added another hurdle for naturalization applicants by bringing back “neighborhood investigations” through which USCIS will be conducting more intrusive investigations into applicants’ pasts. Such investigations were a normal part of the naturalization process until the 90s when they were made redundant by improved, comprehensive FBI background checks. The new processes will involve additional burdens on naturalization applicants as they will need to provide affirmative evidence to prove that they meet very vague criteria and will also place DHS officers in neighborhoods as they conduct investigations. Combined with an earlier memo redefining Good Moral Character for naturalization purposes and their attempt to restrict birthright citizenship, the administration is making clear who they think can and should be allowed to participate in our democracy.
- The administration is also continuing its attacks on students and media by proposing to limit their non-immigrant visas. Traditionally, F (student), J (exchange visitor), and I (international media) visas have been valid as long as needed to complete the program. For instance, a student who takes more than four years to complete a PhD would remain in status as long as they remained in the academic program. The administration is now proposing that all such visas be valid for only a set period of time regardless of how long the program might last. This means that anyone who enters on one of these visas is taking a gamble that the federal government might not let them complete their program, clearly intending to further dissuade people from entering the US to pursue education or their careers with foreign news organizations. This proposed change is open to public comment until Oct 27. If you are interested in submitting a comment, you can do so through the Federal Register.