The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ,USCIS, may soon require green card and visa applicants to provide their social media handles as part of the immigration process.
This move, aimed at enhancing security screenings, has raised concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of applicants’ data.
The new requirement would apply to several immigration forms, including those for U.S. citizenship, asylum, and adjustments of status, such as from an H-1B visa to a green card.
Affected forms include the N-400 for naturalization, the I-131 for advance parole, the I-485 for green card applications, and the I-589 for asylum, along with refugee status applications and petitions for conditional residency removal.
The proposal, which was published in the Federal Register, is open for public comment for the next 60 days.
The USCIS is seeking feedback from individuals and organizations before the rule is finalized.
This initiative is part of the Department of Homeland Security’s broader effort to improve security vetting by conducting more thorough background checks.
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However, immigration experts are questioning how social media data will be interpreted and used in decision-making processes.
Jonathan Wasden, an immigration attorney, expressed concern over the potential misinterpretation of social media posts, noting that applicants could face denials based on online activity that may be taken out of context.
“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.
While USCIS has assured that no additional fees will be charged for social media disclosure beyond standard filing fees, the new requirement may create delays in the application process, as officials review applicants’ social media activity.
The public comment period will provide an opportunity for individuals to raise concerns about the necessity and potential impact of the new rule.
Reported by Vanguard
