The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the creation of a specialized Vetting Center to strengthen the integrity of the US immigration system and safeguard national security. Headquartered in Atlanta, the new center will centralize enhanced screening processes for immigration applications and petitions, focusing on identifying terrorists, criminal aliens, and individuals engaged in fraud or other unlawful activities.
Purpose and Capabilities
Once fully operational, the USCIS Vetting Center will:
- Utilize classified and non-classified screening resources from DHS, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies.
- Conduct supplemental reviews of pending and approved immigration applications.
- Prioritize cases from presidentially designated countries of concern.
- Leverage state-of-the-art technologies, including artificial intelligence, to detect fraud and security risks.
Policy Context
This announcement aligns with Executive Order 14161, Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats. It complements other recent measures, including:
- Allowing immigration officers to consider negative, country-specific factors during vetting.
- Pausing affirmative asylum decisions.
- Hiring record numbers of USCIS homeland security personnel.
- Proposing rules for robust screening before EAD extensions.
- Establishing USCIS special agents with law enforcement authority.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.