The United States has launched a new specialized migrant vetting unit within the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), aimed at strengthening security screening procedures and preventing future threats, officials announced on Friday, December 5. The move comes in the aftermath of a recent violent attack on U.S. National Guard personnel that highlighted vulnerabilities in existing immigration vetting processes.
According to USCIS, the newly created division will focus on reviewing immigration applications of individuals suspected of terrorist affiliations, criminal activity, or posing potential threats to national security. The agency said the unit will enhance its ability to respond rapidly and effectively to emerging risks across the immigration system.
Joseph Edlow, Director of USCIS, cited recent violent incidents, including the shooting of U.S. National Guard members by a foreign national, as evidence of the urgent need to reinforce vetting capabilities. “The new unit will provide advanced tools to protect national security while ensuring public safety,” Edlow said, adding that the initiative represents a significant shift in approach compared to previous administration policies.
Edlow noted that during the Biden administration, USCIS was under pressure to expedite naturalization and immigration processing, sometimes without fully assessing security implications. The current administration, he emphasized, is reversing that approach by implementing stronger safeguards to prevent fraud and mitigate potential security threats.
Once fully operational, the vetting unit will employ a comprehensive range of classified and unclassified screening tools, including artificial intelligence, to support more thorough and accurate decisions on immigration petitions. Officials stated that these measures are designed to identify high-risk applicants at an early stage, thereby protecting both national security and the integrity of the immigration system.
The announcement follows a November 25 shooting near the White House in which two National Guard members were attacked. One of the personnel later died from injuries sustained during the incident. U.S. authorities have arrested Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan migrant, who has been formally charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. During a virtual court hearing conducted from his hospital bed, Lakanwal pleaded not guilty.
In response to the attack, U.S. officials temporarily paused immigration processing for applicants from 19 countries, including Afghanistan, while reviewing existing security measures. USCIS confirmed that the new vetting unit is part of a broader strategy to ensure that immigration policies remain both efficient and secure, balancing humanitarian objectives with national security imperatives.
The agency stressed that this initiative will not only improve detection of high-risk individuals but will also enhance confidence in the U.S. immigration system by ensuring that applications are thoroughly and accurately vetted before approval.
