The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has proposed a new rule that would require visa and green card applicants to disclose their social media handles as part of their application process.
According to reports, the new rule is part of the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to strengthen security screening by conducting more thorough background checks. The requirement would apply to several immigration forms, including applications for U.S. citizenship (N-400), green cards (I-485), advance parole (I-131), asylum (I-589), refugee status, and petitions for the removal of conditional residency.
The USCIS has published the proposal in the Federal Register and invited the public to submit comments over a 60-day period. This allows individuals and organizations to express their opinions about the rule’s necessity, effectiveness, and potential impact before it is finalized.
However, the proposal has raised concerns among immigration experts about how the social media information will be used. Immigration attorney Jonathan Wasden expressed worry over the lack of clear guidelines.
“It remains unclear how USCIS will interpret posts, how long they will store data, or what guidelines they will use to flag concerns,” Wasden said.
He also warned that there is a risk of applicants being denied visas or green cards based on social media activity that might be taken out of context.
“There is also a risk that applicants could face denials based on online activity that is taken out of context,” he added.
Despite these concerns, the USCIS has assured that the new rule will not impose additional costs on applicants beyond the standard filing fees. However, the requirement for social media disclosure could add an extra layer of scrutiny, potentially causing delays in processing applications.
The public now has the opportunity to share their feedback on the proposed rule, while immigration experts continue to monitor how the USCIS plans to implement and manage the review of applicants’ social media activities.
