The U.S. government may start collecting social media information from immigrants applying for immigration benefits in the country.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published an official notice in the Federal Register this Wednesday, detailing the measure and opening a 60-day public comment period before its implementation.
The controversial measure is based on the Executive Order 14161, “Protection of the United States against foreign terrorists and other threats to national and public security,” signed on January 20, 2025 by President Donald Trump.
This order requires the implementation of uniform research standards to ensure that applicants for immigration processes do not pose a threat to public or national security in the U.S..
What does this measure imply?
USCIS may require applicants to provide their social media identifiers and the platforms where they have a presence. This information would be used to verify the immigrant's identity, detect possible inconsistencies in the applications, and prevent immigration fraud.
The immigration attorney José Guerrero explained to Univisión that "the aim is to create a strong and uniform system to investigate all individuals applying for immigration benefits. The government will require them to show their social media to know who that person is and what their connections are," he stated.
Review of social media and consequences for applicants
If the measure is approved, USCIS could analyze posts, interactions, and connections on social media to assess whether the information provided in the application aligns with the immigrant's online activity. Among the aspects that could trigger alerts are:
- Contradictory statements about their immigration status.
- Possible links to criminal or extremist organizations.
- Expression of hate speech or content that may pose a risk to safety.
- Discrepancies in family or work relationships declared in the application.
This measure would affect millions of immigrants who submit forms such as:
- N-400 (Application for Naturalization)
- I-485 (Application for Green Card)
- I-589 (Application for Asylum)
- I-131 (Travel Document)
- Other forms related to immigration benefits
Various civil rights groups have expressed their concerns about this initiative, arguing that it could limit freedom of expression and compromise the privacy of immigrants. They assert that social media surveillance could lead to arbitrary interpretations and unfairly impact certain applicants.
USCIS has stated that public comments will be key in shaping the implementation of the measure. Over the next two months, anyone interested will be able to submit their opinions to the Federal Register. After the consultation period, the government will make a final decision regarding the collection of social media data for immigration processes.
Frequently Asked Questions about USCIS Social Media Review
What does it mean for USCIS to review immigrants' social media?
The possible measure by USCIS implies that immigrants applying for immigration benefits will be required to provide their social media identifiers. This will be used to verify identity, detect inconsistencies, and prevent immigration fraud. The review will focus on posts, interactions, and connections to assess the consistency of the information provided in the applications.
What are the forms affected by this social media review measure?
The measure would affect immigrants who submit forms such as the N-400 (Application for Naturalization), I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), I-589 (Application for Asylum), I-131 (Application for Travel Document), and other related to immigration benefits. The review on social media aims to ensure there are no inconsistencies or security risks.
What could be the consequences of this review for immigrants?
The consequences of reviewing social media could include alerts for contradictory statements regarding immigration status, links to criminal organizations, expressions of hate speech, or discrepancies in family or work relationships. This could result in the denial of immigration benefits or unfavorable legal proceedings.
What concerns have civil rights groups expressed about this measure?
Various civil rights groups have expressed concern over the impact of this measure, arguing that it could limit freedom of expression and compromise the privacy of immigrants. There are fears that social media surveillance could lead to arbitrary interpretations and unjustly affect certain applicants.
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