The Trump administration is turning its attention to immigrants who falsely claim to be citizens so that they can seize on key American benefits such as voting, Social Security checks, and even passports.
In its latest policy update, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is aligning its vetting process with a 2019 court decision that led to the deportation of a Chinese man who fraudulently bought a proof of citizenship document so he could get a U.S. passport.
The update comes a day after USCIS changed other guidance in its policy manual to bar immigration benefits, such as work documents and citizenship, to those pushing anti-American sentiments. The agency is also requiring those it vets to have high “moral character.”
While the main focus of the changes being announced on Wednesday is on immigrants hopeful of upgrading their citizenship status, such as students and tourists, the update could have far-reaching implications. The Center for Immigration Studies estimates that millions of illegal immigrants have engaged in identity theft and document fraud to claim citizenship benefits.
“USCIS is restoring robust screening and vetting processes to detect aliens seeking to defraud or abuse the immigration system, including aliens who make false claims to U.S. citizenship,” said spokesman Matthew Tragesser in previewing the change to Washington Secrets.
“USCIS is actively increasing public awareness among aliens and the public about the consequences of committing immigration fraud. Aliens who use false information or deceitful practices to unfairly obtain immigration advantages will face serious consequences,” he added.
The policy manual is used by immigration adjudicators in determining a migrant’s status. The administration’s goal in making the update is to provide clear guidance that if a migrant has lied about his citizenship status in the past or engaged in identity fraud then they can be barred from receiving citizenship benefits.
What’s more, said an official, they could face punishments ranging from fines to deportation and even a lifetime ban from entering the United States.
A big part of today’s action is cracking down on voter fraud. During the Biden administration, millions of migrants entered the country legally and illegally and some critics have claimed that many have tried to vote.
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“This policy manual update change addresses aliens posing as U.S. citizens and attempting to obtain benefits like the right to vote or employment eligibility. There are a whole host of benefits granted to our citizens that definitely shouldn’t be granted to those pretending to be them,” said an official.
The policy update does provide adjudicators with the flexibility to use some discretion in determining if a migrant meant to fraudulently claim citizenship to gain benefits. Age and mental capacity will now be included in the decision factors.
