Thousands Affected as Immigration Review Processing Moves to AI Based System (May 2025)

Washington, D.C. – Thousands of green card, asylum, and visa applicants are now facing extended delays, unexplained denials, and digital silence as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rolls out a controversial new AI-powered Immigration Review i.e. application screening system.

Officially launched in early April 2025, the automated tool — internally codenamed “Veritas” — is being used to scan and rank immigration petitions based on risk, fraud probability, and eligibility confidence. USCIS says it will increase efficiency and reduce human error, but early reports suggest a **very different reality.**

“My green card renewal was flagged as incomplete, but I submitted everything,” said Marisol Reyes, a DACA recipient whose I-765 work permit application was suddenly returned. “It just said ‘AI review pending.’ What does that even mean?”

Attorneys across the country are warning that the system — while technologically advanced — lacks transparency, appeal guidance, and cultural context. Critics argue it threatens **due process and racial fairness** in immigration decisions.

📚 Want background? See our Immigration Law Encyclopedia (Scroll B) for green card eligibility and Scroll E – Judgment Rewrite for recent rulings on algorithmic bias.

What Is “Veritas” — and How Is It Reviewing Immigration Cases?

USCIS’s new AI screening system, known internally as “Veritas”, uses machine learning to evaluate immigration forms before a human officer ever sees them. The tool scans data for inconsistencies, missing documents, suspicious patterns, and risk factors.

How the System Works (Based on Available Info)

• Data Extraction: Veritas scans uploaded application forms (I-485, I-130, I-589, etc.), extracting key fields like country of origin, previous visa history, address patterns, and filing language.
• Cross-Referencing: It compares applicant details against DHS watchlists, CBP entry records, and prior petitions for potential discrepancies.
• Scoring Algorithm: Each application receives a “confidence score” used to triage cases — higher scores get faster review, lower ones may be flagged or delayed.
• No Human Contact (Initial Stage): Some rejections are issued directly based on AI output before being seen by a caseworker.

⚠️ The problem? USCIS has released almost no public documentation about how the system’s decisions are made, what triggers red flags, or how to challenge them.

Who’s Most Affected?

Advocacy groups warn that first-time applicants, people with complex immigration histories, and non-English speakers are disproportionately affected.

Example: Abdul, a refugee from Yemen applying for asylum, had his claim flagged for “source inconsistency” due to minor differences in how dates were recorded on different forms. His attorney believes it was an AI parsing issue — not fraud.

📚 Need help understanding these forms? Check our Scroll H – DIY Legal Aid Toolkit for how to properly file I-485 and I-589 petitions.

Legal Reactions: Transparency, Discrimination & Privacy Concerns

Immigration lawyers, privacy experts, and civil rights organizations have raised immediate alarms about the AI system’s deployment without public comment or clear accountability.

Top Legal Concerns

• Lack of Transparency: Applicants are not told why their applications are flagged or what the AI “sees” as problematic.
• No Appeal Mechanism: In many cases, initial denials or delays triggered by Veritas have no explanation — making appeals difficult or impossible.
• Risk of Bias: AI systems often replicate existing government biases due to the data they’re trained on. Immigrants from high-surveillance or conflict-prone countries may be unfairly flagged.
• Data Privacy: The tool scans sensitive personal data (medical records, affidavits, personal statements), raising concerns about how and where that data is stored and shared.

Government Response

USCIS released a brief statement in May saying the system is “under ongoing internal testing” and “has shown improved processing speed and fraud detection.” But no formal notice was issued in the Federal Register, and no external audit has been announced.

⚖️ Legal Action Incoming? Multiple groups — including the ACLU and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) — are reportedly preparing lawsuits if USCIS refuses to release technical documentation or offer appeal rights.

Want precedent? Read our Scroll E – Judgment Rewrite: DHS v. Thuraissigiam for how due process applies to algorithmic decisions under U.S. law.

What You Can Do: Action Steps for Immigrants, Families & Advocates

Automation may be here, but information is still power. Whether you’re applying for a green card, asylum, or a work permit — here’s how to protect yourself in the age of AI immigration review:

Steps You Can Take Today

• Double Check All Forms: Be precise. AI systems reject even minor inconsistencies — like mismatched dates or misspelled names.
• Attach Explanatory Notes: If your case has complex history (e.g., country changes, expired IDs), include a short letter explaining the situation clearly.
• Keep Proof of Submission: Save receipts, PDFs, and USPS tracking. If AI mishandles your file, these may help prove timely filing.
• Speak to an Attorney: Nonprofit legal aid clinics and accredited reps can now guide you through “AI trigger points.” Ask for a second review before submission.
• File Feedback with USCIS: If you believe your application was denied unfairly due to AI, file a case inquiry or service request. Public data will matter in shaping future policies.

Example: Naomi, an H-4 visa holder applying for an employment authorization document (EAD), had her petition marked “incomplete.” Her attorney found that Veritas flagged a blank space in a field marked “N/A.” After re-submitting with a short attached note, the case was approved in 12 days.

Our TLA View:

Technology must support justice — not short-circuit it. USCIS owes applicants clarity, fairness, and the right to know how decisions are made. Until then, scrolls like this one will serve as the people’s legal flashlight.

📚 Need tools? Explore our Scroll H – DIY Legal Aid for Immigration Forms and Scroll G – Immigration Q&A for real guidance you can trust.

MacAlex Reflection: In a System of Code, Let’s Stay Human

At True Legal Advice, we don’t fear technology. But we demand transparency, fairness, and dignity — even in an automated world. The scroll you just read is more than a report. It’s a reminder: behind every form is a family. Behind every data point, a dream.

We scroll for clarity. We scroll for citizenship. And we scroll for the people who never had a lawyer… but always had the right to understand the law.

This isn’t just a headline. This is your life. And we’re here to help you protect it.

🔗 Internal Scrolls to Guide Your Next Step

• Scroll B – Immigration Encyclopedia (Visas, Forms, Waivers)
• Scroll E – DHS v. Thuraissigiam (Due Process Judgment Rewrite)
• Scroll H – DIY Legal Toolkit: How to Appeal Form Denials
• Scroll G – Immigration Q&A: Filing, Errors & AI Flagged Cases
• Scroll C1 – Mixed-Status Family Protection News

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