DHS/USCIS Review Reveals Vetting Gaps After Relatives of Noted Terror Figure Gained U.S. Status

Key Takeaways

• USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) says an internal review found prior screening and vetting “wholly inadequate,” leading to approvals of some naturalization and lawful permanent residence applications that should not have been.
• Agency has placed a hold and re-review on pending asylum and other benefit applications from “high‑risk” countries, with re‑interviews and expanded vetting planned for those who entered the U.S. since President Biden took office.
• Two relatives of Qassem Soleimani were taken into custody and one reportedly had her green card revoked; it has been reported that officials say ties and statements linking them to the Iranian regime prompted action.
• The move will likely lengthen processing times and trigger more interviews, denials, revocations and potential removal proceedings for applicants from designated high‑risk countries.

What USCIS found and the immediate policy response

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced an internal alert saying a comprehensive review of pending workloads revealed “significant national security and public safety risks” and that prior vetting was “wholly inadequate.” USCIS said many applicants for naturalization (becoming a U.S. citizen) and lawful permanent residence (green cards) “were not sufficiently vetted,” and in some cases people were naturalized or granted status who “should not have been.” The agency has therefore issued a hold and re‑review of pending asylum and other benefit applications filed by aliens from so‑called high‑risk countries and plans re‑interviews and expanded scrutiny.

Those actions are being carried out, USCIS said, under existing executive orders and presidential proclamations that require stricter screening. The re‑review will initially focus on noncitizens who entered the U.S. on or after President Biden took office, with the possibility of extending further back when “appropriate.” The development came days before the arrests in Los Angeles of two relatives of the late Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani; it has been reported that one relative’s green card was revoked after officials said she expressed support for the Iranian regime and allegedly celebrated attacks on Americans.

Human impact and practical consequences for applicants

For people in the immigration pipeline, especially those from countries labeled high‑risk, the practical effects will be immediate and disruptive. Expect longer processing times, more mandatory interviews or re‑interviews, and increased chances of denials, revocation of previously granted status, or referral to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for removal proceedings. Asylum seekers — who already face long backlogs — may see additional holds, slowing adjudication and prolonging uncertainty for families and individuals awaiting work authorization or relief.

For immigration lawyers and advocates, this means preparing clients for potential re‑interviews, gathering additional documentary evidence of identity and background, and, where applicable, mounting legal defenses to revocation or removal actions. For policymakers and the public, the announcement underscores a long‑running tension: tightening national security screening can reduce risk but also compounds delays and administrative burdens that affect lawful applicants.

Source: Original Article