La vérification extrême - Qu'est-ce que c'est et quelles sont les conséquences ?
Santos Lloyd Law Team • April 10, 2025
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En 2025, le paysage de l'immigration continue de se modifier sous l'effet des préoccupations en matière de sécurité nationale, qui sont à l'origine du décret « Protéger les États-Unis contre les terroristes étrangers et les autres menaces pour la sécurité nationale et la sécurité publique
». Cette directive charge les agences fédérales, y compris le département d'État américain, de mettre en œuvre des protocoles de contrôle et de vérification renforcés pour tous les ressortissants étrangers souhaitant obtenir un visa ou d'autres avantages liés à l'immigration. Le résultat ? Un processus de contrôle considérablement intensifié et des préoccupations croissantes de la part des immigrants, des avocats et des défenseurs des libertés civiles.
Traditionnellement, la sécurité dans les aéroports se concentre sur la vérification des documents de voyage et le contrôle des objets interdits, tandis que les agents consulaires évaluent la légitimité des demandes de visa et l'admissibilité des demandeurs. Le contrôle extrême, cependant, représente un changement significatif vers un processus d'investigation beaucoup plus invasif et complet. Il comprend désormais des vérifications détaillées des antécédents, des vérifications biométriques, des expertises numériques et un examen approfondi de la présence en ligne d'un demandeur et de son casier judiciaire ou financier.
Depuis le début du second mandat du président Trump en janvier 2025, la mise en œuvre de l'examen approfondi s'est rapidement étendue. Aujourd'hui, les contrôles aux frontières vont bien au-delà des vérifications de routine des documents, englobant une évaluation complète de la vie numérique d'un voyageur. Cette évolution reflète l'importance accrue accordée par l'administration à la sécurité nationale, mais elle a également déclenché des discussions urgentes sur la protection de la vie privée, les droits de la défense et l'équité de l'application des lois modernes sur l'immigration.
Aux points d'entrée aux États-Unis, en particulier dans les aéroports, les non-citoyens sont désormais soumis à des procédures rigoureuses et invasives :
- Inspection des téléphones cellulaires, des ordinateurs portables et d'autres appareils (y compris le contenu supprimé)
- Examen de l'activité des médias sociaux sur des plateformes telles que TikTok, Instagram et X (anciennement Twitter)
- Balayage biométrique, y compris les empreintes digitales et la reconnaissance faciale
Ces mesures ne sont plus limitées aux voyageurs en provenance de pays à haut risque. Dans la pratique, le contrôle extrême s'applique à toutes les nationalités et concerne de plus en plus les résidents permanents légaux.
Pour les non-citoyens, ce nouveau paysage introduit un niveau accru d'incertitude et de vulnérabilité. Les retards dans les consulats américains pour la délivrance ou le renouvellement des visas deviennent monnaie courante. Les voyageurs doivent désormais être parfaitement conscients de ces changements, et ceux qui se présentent aux entretiens consulaires ou qui demandent un renouvellement de visa doivent être prêts à fournir des documents supplémentaires attestant du maintien de leur statut, du respect des conditions d'obtention du visa et de la bonne foi de leur demande de visa. Il est essentiel d'organiser les documents justificatifs à l'avance et d'être prêt à répondre aux questions concernant l'emploi, l'éducation, l'historique des voyages et les activités en ligne.
Alors que le gouvernement américain continue d'étendre son utilisation d'outils d'évaluation des risques basés sur des données, les voyageurs doivent s'adapter à une nouvelle normalité, dans laquelle la préparation est essentielle pour naviguer dans le système d'immigration sans perturbation.
Ce blog n'est pas destiné à fournir des conseils juridiques et rien ici ne doit être interprété comme établissant une relation avocat-client. Veuillez prendre rendez-vous avec un avocat spécialisé en droit de l'immigration avant d'agir sur la base de toute information lue ici.
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On January 14, 2026, the Trump administration announced a freeze on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries . The administration states that this “visa freeze” is intended to review security protocols, “reduce risks,” and control immigration flows. However, the immediate reality is that this change in policy has temporarily suspended visa processing and restricted travel for applicants from numerous countries across the globe. While the legal landscape surrounding these suspensions is highly fluid and subject to change, it is important to consider how this “visa freeze” might impact your current status or immigration plans. The scope of the restrictions varies drastically depending on your country of origin and specific visa category. Most notably, a nationality-based travel ban restricts visa issuance for 19 countries : Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Beyond this targeted ban, a broader freeze affects applicants from a designated list of up to 75 countries, leading to indefinite delays for many visa petitions. However, it is important to note that immigrant visa applications first need to be processed through USCIS, which has not paused processing applications from the 75 countries. Thus, it is important to contact an attorney to understand at what point in the process this visa freeze may affect your case. While Brazil is included in the list of 75 countries, at the time of this publication, the freeze does not include non-immigrant visas for Brazil . Non-immigrant visas are granted to foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States on a temporary basis for specific purposes, such as tourism, studying, or temporary work. This means that Brazilian applicants can still safely pursue non-immigrant employment options, such as O visas for individuals with extraordinary ability or P visas for internationally recognized athletes, without being subjected to the current travel bans or suspensions. This alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. There are many changes and uncertainties, so please consult with a qualified attorney at Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C. to understand how these evolving policies might affect your specific case
Recent data in 2026 shows a sharp increase in Requests for Evidence across employment-based visa categories such as EB-1, EB-2 NIW, O, and H-1B. Requests for Evidence (RFEs) are no longer reserved for borderline cases; even robust petitions for high-level talent are facing unprecedented scrutiny. The expansion of the USCIS Vetting Center means automated tools are cross-referencing every petition, triggering RFEs for even the smallest inconsistencies. For EB-2 NIW petitions, adjudicators are increasingly questioning the "National Importance" of a candidate’s endeavor. Even for those with impressive credentials, USCIS now demands evidence of how their work specifically benefits the U.S. on a prospective basis. For O-1A and O-1B visas, officers are applying narrower interpretations of "distinction" and "extraordinary ability," often mischaracterizing evidence already present in the record. Additionally, a troubling 2026 trend is the correlation between Premium Processing and RFEs . For discretionary categories like EB-1A and EB-2 NIW, Premium Processing has increasingly become a "fast track" to a poorly reasoned RFE. Reports indicate that adjudicators, pressured by 15-business-day timelines, may be relying on AI-assisted vetting tools that trigger automated RFEs with general and boilerplate language, rather than a thorough review and analysis of supporting documents and evidence filed. With USCIS employing more rigorous AI-driven vetting and a narrower interpretation of visa criteria, the margin for error has disappeared . As such, ensure you consult with an experienced immigration attorney before filing a petition. ' If you have any questions, please schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, and we will be more than happy to assist you.
In recent weeks, the U.S. government has moved to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for multiple countries, sparking a wave of last-minute litigation and creating significant uncertainty for beneficiaries. This shift is having a profound impact on those who rely on TPS for lawful presence and work authorization in the United States. Across the country, federal courts have intervened to pause or block scheduled TPS terminations for several countries, including Burma (Myanmar), Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, and Syria. In response to these court orders, USCIS has updated its webpages to indicate that TPS status and related Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) are extended for these populations. However, USCIS is intentionally not providing specific new end dates for EAD validity while the litigation remains in flux. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has prominently noted that it "vehemently disagrees" with these court orders and is actively working with the Department of Justice on next steps. This legal landscape remains highly unpredictable and varies drastically depending on the country of origin. For example, on February 9, 2026, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay allowing the government to proceed with the termination of TPS for Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal while the underlying legal challenges continue. Because of this ruling, the automatic extension of work authorization for these individuals has ended, and employers are now required to reverify the work authorization of affected employees, who must present alternative valid documentation to continue their employment. These rapid changes and the lack of clear end dates are causing complications beyond the workplace. Because driver's licenses often track the length of an individual's authorized stay, many DMVs are currently declining to issue or renew driver's licenses for impacted TPS populations. For employers, managing internal communications, avoiding onboarding errors, and navigating Form I-9 compliance has become increasingly complex. It is more important than ever to be well-prepared and proactive in monitoring these rapid changes. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., our immigration attorneys are ready to guide you through this evolving process and ensure you are informed, and supported. Please contact us if you have questions or need assistance.
