Alert: this is the new measure that USCIS proposes for the approval of visa applications in the United States
The measure seeks to improve security, but has raised concerns about privacy and freedom of speech.
More information: Confirmed: USCIS makes significant changes to the Green Card application in the United States
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has put forth a proposal that could transform the way immigrants apply for visas and other immigration benefits in the country.
Under a new measure, applicants would have to provide details about their social media accounts as part of the identity verification process. The proposal falls under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on January 20, with the main goal of strengthening national security and preventing threats.
The period for public comments on this initiative began on March 5 and will last 60 days. If approved, the resolution could affect around 2.5 million applicants annually and add a significant administrative burden to the USCIS, with nearly 286,000 additional work hours.
Social media: a new parameter for consultation
The data collection would cover applications for permanent residence, citizenship, asylum, and other immigration processes, impacting millions of people.
The proposal has sparked a broad debate. Various civil rights groups have expressed concerns about the impact on privacy and freedom of expression of immigrants, who may feel vulnerable having to share details of their lives on social media.
Despite these fears, USCIS has assured that the collected information will only be used for security and identity verification purposes, without invading the privacy of the applicants.
How will the social media analysis work in the immigration process?
Under this new rule, applicants for visas, asylum, and other immigration benefits will have to provide information about their social media accounts for the past five years. This measure would not only affect those applying for visas from outside the United States, but also those seeking to adjust their immigration status within the country.
The USCIS explained that this analysis would aim to identify inconsistencies between the information provided on the forms and the online activity of the applicants, which could be an indication of fraud or involvement in illicit activities.
*This article has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence
