The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced plans to collect social media information from immigrants seeking entry into the United States.
The move that aligns with the Trump administration’s broader national security directives.
According to a notice set to be published in the Federal Register last week, the proposal aims to comply with a January 20 executive order directing federal agencies to enhance vetting measures for foreign nationals.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other agencies have been tasked with identifying tools to ensure that immigrants are “screened to the maximum degree possible.”
USCIS has stated that social media data collection will help establish eligibility for immigration benefits, verify identities, and assess whether applicants pose any security or public safety risks.
However, the agency has not specified which visa categories or immigration benefits will be directly impacted by the measure.
Members of the public will have 60 days to submit comments on the proposal before USCIS moves forward with implementation.
The plan signals an expansion of the U.S. government’s scrutiny of digital activity as part of its immigration enforcement policies.
