US Immigration to request social media handles of visa applicants

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is shaking things up with a new rule that requires applicants for green cards and visas to hand over their social media handles. This move is part of an effort to tighten security screenings, but it’s sparking privacy concerns and raising eyebrows about potential data misuse.

The proposed rule, which would apply to a variety of immigration forms – from U.S. citizenship and asylum applications to those adjusting status from an H-1B visa to a green card – has been published in the Federal Register. Now, the public has 60 days to weigh in with comments. So, if you've got thoughts, this is your chance to be heard.

The rule would extend to numerous immigration forms, including the N-400 for naturalization, the I-131 for advance parole, the I-485 for green card applications, and the I-589 for asylum. It also affects refugee status applications and petitions for conditional residency removal.

This push to collect social media handles is part of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) broader effort to enhance security vetting by doing more thorough background checks. The goal? To ensure a tighter grip on who’s entering the country. However, experts in immigration law are raising valid concerns about how this new data will be interpreted and used.

Immigration attorney Jonathan Wasden expressed uncertainty about how USCIS might view and use social media posts. "We don’t know how they’ll interpret what’s posted, how long the data will be stored, or what criteria they’ll use to flag concerns," he noted. He also pointed out the potential for applicants to face visa denials based on online activity that could easily be taken out of context.

While the USCIS has assured that the new rule won’t result in extra costs beyond standard filing fees, the social media disclosure requirement adds a new layer of scrutiny. That means applicants may face delays as their online activity undergoes review. So, whether you’re posting puppy pics or sharing your political views, you might want to think twice before clicking "post" during the immigration process.

The 60-day public comment period is a chance for citizens and organizations to voice their opinions on whether this rule is really necessary and effective. But as it stands, this new regulation is set to complicate what’s already a lengthy and complex process.