What the new policy means for Immigration applicants
Applicants seeking US visas, green cards, or citizenship will now be required to disclose their social media handles as part of their applications under a new executive order issued by President Donald Trump. The Executive Order 14161, signed on January 20, 2025, aims to enhance national security but has sparked privacy concerns and questions about potential delays in the immigration process.
On March 5, 2025, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a formal notice in the Federal Register outlining this new requirement. Immigration officers will now collect usernames linked to applicants' online profiles, although passwords or private login credentials will not be required.
Key forms affected by the new policy
The new disclosure requirement applies to several crucial forms, including:
- N-400 – Application for US Citizenship
- I-131 – Application for Travel Document
- I-192 – Application for Non-Immigrant Entry Permit
- I-485 – Adjustment of Status for Green Card
- I-589 – Application for Asylum
- I-590 – Registration for Refugee Classification
- I-730 – Petition for Relative of Refugee/Asylee Person
- I-751 – Application for Removal of Residence Conditions
- I-829 – Application for Removal of Permanent Residence Conditions for Investors
While social media screening has been part of US immigration practices since 2016, this executive order significantly expands the scope and mandatory requirements for applicants.
Potential impact on immigration process
The expanded policy has raised concerns among immigration advocates and privacy experts. Critics argue that applicants may experience longer processing times and risk having their social media activity misinterpreted. While the government emphasizes national security as its primary goal, privacy concerns remain at the forefront of public discourse.
Immigration attorneys advise applicants to review their social media accounts carefully, ensuring their profiles accurately reflect their identities and do not contain content that could be misunderstood as a security risk. Applicants should remain cautious about sharing content that could raise concerns during the vetting process.
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