The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed a rule requiring visa applicants to disclose social media handles as part of security screening. Privacy concerns have arisen, with experts warning that online activity may be misinterpreted. A 60-day public comment period is open for feedback on the rule.
In a bid to enhance security vetting, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed a new rule requiring visa and green card applicants to disclose their social media handles. This new policy is expected to impact various immigration applications, including those for U.S. citizenship, asylum, and green card status changes.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) aims to strengthen background checks by incorporating social media profiles, which may give a deeper understanding of an applicant’s activities and associations. However, this proposal has raised concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse of applicants' online data.
As part of this initiative, individuals applying for naturalization (N-400), advance parole (I-131), and asylum (I-589) will be asked to provide their social media handles. The move also extends to green card applications (I-485) and refugee status petitions. While the rule is still in the proposal stage, USCIS has invited public feedback through a 60-day comment period.
Many immigration experts have expressed apprehension regarding the interpretation of social media activity. Attorneys worry about how online posts could be misinterpreted, possibly leading to denials based on out-of-context information. Jonathan Wasden, an immigration attorney, emphasized the uncertainty surrounding how USCIS will handle this new data, questioning how long social media information will be retained and how it will be used during reviews.
Despite assurances that no additional fees would be charged for this new requirement, experts foresee delays in the application process as the USCIS sifts through applicants' social media accounts. Critics argue that this extra layer of scrutiny might result in longer processing times and undue complications for applicants.
