The way the U.S. handles immigration is about to change—big time.
Under President Donald Trump, immigration officials are now set to carry firearms while handing out visas and green cards.
The administration says this is part of a broader effort to crack down on illegal immigration and fraudulent applications.
The White House announced on Thursday that it is creating an armed law enforcement division within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
These “special agents” will have the authority to investigate, arrest, and prosecute anyone suspected of breaking U.S. immigration laws.
Policing Fraud in Visa Applications
USCIS explained that these new agents will focus on spotting fraud in immigration paperwork.
That includes both immigrants and the lawyers who might be helping them commit fraud. Critics worry that this aggressive approach could discourage people from submitting their applications honestly—or at all.
But Joe Edlow, the new head of USCIS, seems unfazed by the criticism.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he said, “I’m expecting this to have a chilling effect on fraudulent applications, and that’s what I want.”
He added that denaturalizing new citizens who lied on their applications will also be a top priority for these agents.
A Broader Crackdown on Immigration
This move is just the latest in Trump’s ongoing push to tighten immigration enforcement.
Since taking office, his administration has targeted both undocumented immigrants and people on student or visitor visas.
Last month, officials revealed they were reviewing more than 55 million visa holders for potential violations that could lead to deportation.
According to the State Department, all U.S. visa holders—from tourists to long-term residents—are under “continuous vetting.”
If someone is found to be ineligible to stay in the country, their visa can be revoked, and they may face deportation.
How the U.S. Is Looking for Violations
The government is looking at a wide range of potential problems.
These include overstaying visas, committing crimes, threatening public safety, engaging in terrorism, or supporting terrorist organizations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio even announced that the U.S. would stop issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers, effective immediately.
Visa applicants are now facing stricter requirements, including mandatory in-person interviews.
The expanded reviews are no longer limited to students suspected of political activism.
Instead, they cover all visa holders, with officials analyzing social media accounts, foreign law enforcement records, and U.S. immigration history.
Technology and Social Media Under Scrutiny
Part of this crackdown involves new data collection tools.
USCIS now requires applicants to disable privacy settings on phones and other devices during interviews.
Social media accounts, both past and present, will be thoroughly examined to detect any potential violations.
This increased scrutiny signals a more aggressive, wide-ranging approach to immigration enforcement.
As the U.S. continues to expand its monitoring efforts, visa holders and applicants alike are facing an unprecedented level of oversight.
What Comes Next?
With armed agents patrolling USCIS offices, stricter vetting processes, and social media under a microscope, the immigration landscape in the U.S. is entering uncharted territory.
How this will affect both legal immigrants and those applying for visas remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: the government is taking no chances when it comes to immigration fraud or violations.