U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has begun enforcing stricter background screening requirements for immigration applicants, directing officers to delay approvals until expanded checks using Federal Bureau of Investigation databases are completed, a move officials say strengthens national security but is expected to slow processing across thousands of pending cases.
The policy, implemented April 27 under the administration of Donald Trump, requires immigration officers to access enhanced criminal history information through the FBI's Next Generation Identification system before approving applications for green cards, asylum, citizenship and sponsorship petitions.
According to internal guidance, "USCIS will begin receiving enhanced criminal history record information (CHRI) for all fingerprint-based background checks," marking a significant operational shift in how immigration cases are vetted.
The changes stem from a February executive order directing agencies to use federal criminal databases "to the maximum extent permitted by law." Officials describe the initiative as part of a broader effort to tighten immigration enforcement and prevent individuals with criminal histories from securing legal status.
USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler confirmed the rollout, stating the agency had "implemented new security checks to strengthen the vetting and screening of applicants through expanded access to federal criminal databases," according to CBS News. He added that the agency would "always prioritise the safety of the American people."
The policy has immediate procedural consequences. Officers are now instructed not to finalize cases until enhanced screening is complete, and in many instances must resubmit fingerprint data for applications already in progress.
Key operational impacts include:
- Re-screening of previously submitted biometric data
- Delays in adjudication for green cards, asylum and naturalization cases
- Expanded use of FBI criminal history databases
Kahler acknowledged the disruption, saying, "Processing is ongoing as we apply these enhanced background check requirements. Any delay in decision issuance should be brief and resolved shortly."
Despite those assurances, immigration attorneys and policy analysts expect the backlog to grow in the near term, as the agency processes both new applications and re-submitted cases under the updated system.
The administration argues the changes close gaps in screening procedures. In the executive order, Trump said criminal actors "may include foreign nationals with criminal histories who have entered or remained in the United States in violation of immigration laws ... or who otherwise seek to violate the criminal laws," framing the policy as a preventative measure.
Critics, including civil liberties organizations, warn the expanded checks could raise due process concerns and disproportionately affect certain applicant groups. They argue that increased reliance on federal criminal databases may introduce errors, delays and additional barriers for individuals already navigating a complex immigration system.
