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The Trump administration is now screening visa and green card applicants social media for so-called
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anti-American activity. The move announced Tuesday by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is
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effective immediately. Officials are now required to closely monitor, quote, any involvement in
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anti-American or terrorist organizations while reviewing residency, work, and visa applications. The new guidelines state that the discovery of any anti-American activity
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will be an overwhelmingly negative factor in any discretionary ysis. The term is not clearly defined in the guidance
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but the updated policy cites a Cold War-era immigration law that bans immigrants from becoming citizens
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if they are found to be part of a communist or anarchist organization
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A USCIS spokesperson says, Some immigration advocates have raised concerns about the vagueness of what defines anti-Americanism
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arguing what some may consider anti-American, others may consider pro-American. The latest guidance is in addition to the agency's April order to screen applicant social media for anti-Semitic activity
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As part of the new directive, applicants seeking tourist or student visas must now disclose their social media handles and switch their profiles to public for review
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Another change last week also requires those seeking to become naturalized citizens to show evidence of good moral character
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including positive contributions to their community, on-time tax payments, maintained employment, and a good education
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