Trump officials want social media vetted for immigration applicants

• The Trump administration’s latest proposal for immigration reform requires USCIS to collect social media handles from green card applicants. Public comments on the rule are being made available, with some arguing that it could lead to constitutional issues and government overreach.
• The proposal is part of a broader effort under President Donald Trump’s executive order to enhance national security and vet applicants thoroughly.
• Nine immigration forms, including applications for naturalization and asylum, will be affected by the rule.

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Federal agencies and the public have the opportunity to comment on a new proposal from the Trump administration, which would require U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to collect social media handles from individuals applying for a green card.

Public comments on proposal

Comments on the proposal are being made public, with many expressing strong opinions. One comment describes the change as unconstitutional, with undertones of Second Amendment overreach.

Another comment argues that the broad application of the rule could lead to government abuse, suggesting it should only be used for credible reasons. Read more comments here.

Change created due to Trump Executive Order

The proposal falls under President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at protecting the U.S. from foreign terrorists and national security threats, according to the White House.

Under Section 2 of the order, the government will identify all resources necessary to ensure that individuals seeking admission or already in the U.S. are vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible.

Earlier this month, on March 5, USCIS announced social media handles, including Facebook and Instagram accounts, will now be collected as part of the process for applicants seeking entry to the U.S. or asylum.

For visa applicants, social media account information has already been required on immigration forms.

Immigration forms impacted

A total of nine immigration forms will be impacted by the change, which range from travel and status changes to requesting permanent U.S. citizenship.

These forms include:

• N-400 (Application for Naturalization).
• I-131 (Application for Travel Document).
• I-192 (Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant).
• I-485 (Application for Adjustment of Status).
• I-589 (Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal).
• I-590 (Registration for Classification as Refugee).
• I-730 (Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition).
• I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence).
• I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status).

USCIS estimates over 3 million applicants will be affected by the change. Additionally, staff will face an increase in workload, with more than 280,000 additional hours required each year to process the changes.

Government’s use of social media to combat fraud

The U.S. government has increasingly relied on social media platforms to help uncover fraud in the immigration application process. In 2016, USCIS established a dedicated social media division to assist in vetting applicants.

Currently, federal law does not provide privacy protection for individuals’ social media accounts. Existing privacy protections mainly focus on health care and financial data.