USCIS Launches Vetting Center for Immigration Screening

Key Point  

• USCIS has announced the creation of a new Vetting Center in Atlanta to strengthen national security screening across the immigration system

USCIS Vetting Center  

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the establishment of a new Vetting Center to strengthen national security screening.

The center will centralize enhanced reviews of immigration applications and petitions, leveraging advanced technologies — including artificial intelligence — alongside Department of Homeland Security and law enforcement resources.  

Looking Ahead: Enhanced Screening for High‑Priority Immigration Cases  

Once fully operational, the Vetting Center will conduct supplemental reviews of pending and approved applications, prioritizing cases from countries designated by the President as high‑risk or of concern.

Executive Order 14161 Measures 

This initiative follows Executive Order 14161, which directs agencies to implement stronger protections against terrorism, fraud, and public safety threats. Recent measures under this directive include:

• Allowing immigration officers to weigh country‑specific risk factors (e.g., lack of identity documents, inability to conduct background checks). 
• Pausing affirmative asylum decisions. 
• Expanding USCIS hiring for homeland security roles. 
• Proposing new rules to strengthen vetting before extending employment authorizations. 

Background Information

These developments build on recent USCIS actions, including shortened Employment Authorization Document validity periods and new country‑specific vetting standards under Executive Order 14161. Together, these measures reflect a broader shift toward more frequent and centralized screening of immigration applications.

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