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SC to deliver verdict on govt appeal in Aug 21 grenade attack case on Sept 4
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday set September 4 to deliver its verdict on the government’s appeal against a High Court judgment that acquitted all 49 convictsReadMore
Former Ashulia SI Afzalul pleads guilty in July uprising killings case
Former Ashulia police sub-inspector Sheikh Afzalul on Thursday admitted that he committed crimes against humanity in Ashulia during the July 2024 uprising. He has now turned into a state witnessReadMore
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 aReadMore
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 lawyersReadMore
Most admitted uprising victims didn’t have skulls: Doctor testifies at ICT
Most of the 167 people admitted to the National Institute of Neuroscience (NINS) during last year’s uprising had lost parts of their skulls, said the hospital’s Associate Professor Md MahfuzurReadMore
Major shake-up in admin: New DCs in all districts by Sept
The government is set to appoint new deputy commissioners (DCs) in all districts ahead of the upcoming national election to hold it in a credible manner. Sources at the MinistryReadMore
2nd review report on retired govt officials applications submitted to Professor Yunus
The committee formed to review applications of deprived retired government officials on Wednesday submitted its 2nd report to chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Convener of the committee and former financeReadMore
Professor Yunus hands over joint declaration on NCD prevention to senior secretaries
Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday handed over a joint declaration over the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases to the senior secretaries. Earlier, senior secretaries and secretaries ofReadMore
