The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed a new rule requiring visa and green card applicants to disclose their social media handles as part of their application process.
The initiative, aimed at enhancing security screening, has raised concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of applicants’ online activity. The requirement would apply to several immigration forms, including applications for U.S. citizenship, asylum, and adjustment of status from an H-1B visa to a green card, according to reports from TravelBiz.
The USCIS has published the proposal in the Federal Register and opened a 60-day public comment period to allow individuals and organizations to provide feedback. If implemented, this policy will affect various immigration categories, including refugee status applications and petitions for the removal of conditional residency.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has defended the move, arguing that reviewing social media activity will help enhance background checks and security measures. However, immigration experts have voiced concerns over how authorities will interpret applicants’ online activity and whether posts taken out of context could lead to denials.
“It remains unclear how USCIS will interpret posts, how long they will store data, or what guidelines they will use to flag concerns,” said immigration attorney Jonathan Wasden.
He also warned that the additional scrutiny could complicate applications, lead to delays, and increase the risk of denials based on misinterpretations of social media content.
While the USCIS has assured that the new requirement will not add extra costs beyond standard application fees, many applicants may face heightened scrutiny and potential delays as their online presence is reviewed.
