USCIS Expands Immigration Scrutiny: Operation Twin Shield

USCIS: The US immigration crackdown is entering a sharper and more complex phase, with federal authorities expanding scrutiny well beyond undocumented migration to include legal pathways such as student visas, H-1B work permits, and family-based immigration.

According to a year-end report cited by IANS, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has unveiled a series of tighter controls driven by fraud investigations, new regulatory measures, and an aggressive enforcement push. The developments come shortly after the deportation of a significant number of unauthorized immigrants, signaling a broader recalibration of immigration policy.

USCIS: Operation Twin Shield Targets Visa Misuse and Fraud

At the center of the enforcement surge is Operation Twin Shield, a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying and dismantling fraud across employment, education, and marriage-based immigration programs.

Under this operation, USCIS uncovered widespread misuse of H-1B visas, student permits, and marriage-linked green card applications. The campaign has included thousands of workplace inspections, nearly 1,500 in-person interviews, benefit denials, and multiple arrests, IANS reported.

Since January 20, more than 14,400 individuals have been referred from USCIS to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to concerns tied to public safety, national security, or immigration fraud. Among them were 182 individuals identified as confirmed or suspected national security threats. Joint efforts with law enforcement agencies have also resulted in over 2,400 arrests at USCIS offices nationwide this year.

Work Permits Face Shorter Validity and Tighter Renewals

As part of the evolving US immigration crackdown, USCIS has revised employment authorization procedures. Certain work permits will no longer receive automatic extensions while renewal applications are pending — a move expected to impact thousands of foreign workers.

Additionally, the maximum validity of some work permits has been cut from five years to 18 months, allowing officials to conduct more frequent background and eligibility reviews. USCIS officials say the change is designed to strengthen oversight without dismantling legal work pathways altogether.

USCIS: H-1B Rule Changes and Family Immigration Under the Microscope

For the H-1B visa program, USCIS is proposing a rule that would prioritize applicants with higher wages and advanced skill sets. The stated objective is to safeguard American workers’ wages, job opportunities, and working conditions.

At the same time, the agency has streamlined certain agricultural work visa programs to support the US farming sector, highlighting a selective approach rather than a blanket restriction.

Family-based immigration is also facing heightened examination. USCIS has confirmed that marriages and family relationships cited in applications are now being subjected to deeper verification processes to prevent fraudulent schemes aimed at gaining immigration benefits.

Asylum Processing Paused for Select Groups

In a move that underscores the security dimension of the US immigration crackdown, USCIS has temporarily paused asylum processing for certain categories following a November 26 incident near the White House involving an Afghan national.

The agency has also halted select immigration petitions from Afghanistan and several other countries deemed sensitive, while ordering a review of green card applications from multiple high-risk nations. Officers have been instructed to factor in country-specific risk assessments when evaluating applicants from 19 designated high-risk countries.