2025 August 21

বাংলা ভার্সন

June 15, 2026, 6:18 am

Notice ::

‘Surongo-2’ set for release in December 2026 Shaheed Zia brought media to open sky from dark lane: Swapon Modi to raise Hormuz issue at G7 after US strike kills 3 Indian seafarers Iran media says Tehran ‘not yet’ taken final decision on US peace deal PM praises young innovator Sajjadul’s eco-friendly inventions Committee secretary among 2 suffer bullet wounds inside mosque in Khulna 809-page verdict of Abu Sayeed murder case published Ramisa murder: Jail appeals of Sohel-Swapna for hearing accepted Addl 20MW electricity export to Bangladesh blocked by India US-Iran peace expected within 24hrs: Pakistan

10 vehicles damaged in Habiganj refueling station explosion

At least nine CNG-run autorickshaws and one bus were burnt in an explosion at a refueling station in Nabiganj upazila in Habiganj district on early Thursday. Abul Kalam Azad, deputy ReadMore

On seeing the future too clearly

Rebecca Gordon : I SPENT the summer of 1965 arguing about the Vietnam War. I was 13, and my interlocutor was my 18-year-old camp counsellor in Vermont. She was headed ReadMore

Shawdesh desk: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officers under the Trump administration must consider the “positive attributes” of immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship — rather than just the absence of misconduct — according to a recent policy memo. The big picture: The Friday USCIS memo calls for a more “holistic” approach to assessing the “good moral character” of an immigrant seeking naturalization under an administration that has cracked down on immigration and pathways to citizenship in unprecedented ways. Driving the news: Good moral character is not a new requirement for naturalization. But under the USCIS memo, officers are instructed to put “greater emphasis” on an applicants’ “positive attributes and contributions.” Those can include factors like community involvement, family caregiving and educational attainment. “Going forward, USCIS officers must account for an alien’s positive attributes and not simply the absence of misconduct,” the memo states. Zoom out: The memo also calls for heightened scrutiny of disqualifying behaviors. Those include permanent bars to good moral character — like murder, aggravated felonies and genocide — and other offenses, like gambling and drug-related violations. But the memo also stipulates that other disqualifying actions could include behavior that is technically lawful but is “inconsistent with civic responsibility within the community,” like habitual traffic infractions or solicitation. The policy also instructs officers to consider factors that show an applicant could have demonstrated “genuine rehabilitation,” through actions like rectifying overdue child support or past-due taxes. The latest: USCIS on Tuesday announced it would also update guidance regarding factors officers should consider when handling immigration benefit requests — like adjusting their status — including “any involvement in anti-American or terrorist organizations.” It also said it had expanded the types of requests that will receive social media vetting which will include searches for “anti-American activity.” A Tuesday memo states that USCIS considers the endorsement, support or promotion of “the views of an anti-American or terrorist organization or group” to be “an overwhelmingly negative factor in USCIS discretionary analyses.” USCIS Spokesman Matthew J. Tragesser said in a statement that the agency is committed to rooting out “anti-Americanism.” Context: The test of “good moral character” has in the past largely been satisfied if applicants don’t have any of the disqualifying or criminal offenses detailed in U.S. immigration law, per CBS News. But the memo says “[e]valuating GMC involves more than a cursory mechanical review focused on the absence of wrongdoing.” It continues, “It entails a holistic assessment of an alien’s behavior, adherence to societal norms, and positive contributions that affirmatively demonstrate good moral character.” What they’re saying: Tragesser said in a statement provided to Axios that the agency is restoring “integrity” in the immigration system. “Today, USCIS is adding a new element to the naturalization process that ensures America’s newest citizens not only embrace America’s culture, history, and language but who also demonstrate Good Moral Character,” he said. Catch up quick: The Trump administration has launched a sweeping spectacle cracking down on illegal immigration, but it’s also significantly curtailed avenues to being in the country legally by terminating past legal protections and targeting refugee admissions. That effort has also included heightened scrutiny of legal immigrants and those who want to study in the U.S. Under an April policy, USCIS officials screen immigrants’ social media accounts for “antisemitic activity,” which includes content that indicates an applicant “endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity.”

Shawdesh desk: If you’re planning an international trip, the first thing to do is check is your passport. Real ID may work for domestic flights, but you’ll still need a ReadMore

Citizenship reviews now ask immigrants to show “positive contributions” to U.S.

Trump administration expands ‘good moral character’ requirement to become naturalized citizen

Shawdesh desk: The Trump administration is expanding the requirement for immigrants who are hoping to become US citizens to display “good moral character,” in a move that some immigration lawyers ReadMore