USCIS has created a separate unit to screen immigrants: it uses intelligence and AI.

On December 5, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the creation of a specialized unit that will identify terrorists and criminals among aliens and individuals who pose a potential threat to public safety, according to department site.

The USCIS Screening Center, headquartered in Atlanta, will begin in-depth screening of aliens and allow the agency to more quickly respond to various threats.

"The role of USCIS in the nation's immigration system has never been more critical. Following several recent violent incidents, including an attack by a foreign national on National Guard troops on U.S. soil, the creation of this screening center will enhance our ability to protect national security and ensure public safety," said USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow.

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"Under the Biden administration, USCIS was pressured to expedite immigration and naturalization processes with little regard for the impact on national security and the safety of our communities," Edlow said. "We changed that approach on day one of the second Trump administration. Under President Trump, we are creating additional safeguards to ensure that fraud, misrepresentation, and threats do not undermine the integrity of our immigration system."

The new screening center will utilize the full range of classified and public screening and risk assessment capabilities, as well as provide more thorough additional screening of immigration applications and petitions. These screenings will leverage modern technologies, including artificial intelligence.

The Center will utilize the resources of the Department of Homeland Security, as well as other law enforcement and intelligence capabilities, to carry out this key work. It will begin reviewing pending applications and conducting a comprehensive review of already approved applications. Applications from countries designated by the President as high-risk will be prioritized.

This announcement is the latest in a series of tough measures taken following Executive Order 14161 on protecting the United States from foreign terrorist and other security threats. Immigration officers can now outright deny asylum seekers from 19 high-risk countries if they lack the required documentation or if their criminal record cannot be verified. The review of new asylum applications has been completely suspended, and no decisions are being made at this time.

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The Citizenship and Immigration Service has hired a record number of new employees focused specifically on internal security issues. A new rule is being developed: before renewing a work permit, applicants will undergo much more thorough background checks.

In addition, USCIS now has its own special agents with full police powers—they now investigate immigration violations themselves, detain violators, and hold them accountable.

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