A USCIS report proposes that all US citizenship and green card applicants must provide their social media handles to immigration authorities.
Although similar restrictions have already been applied to other visa types, a recent executive order have led to more stringent policies for naturalization and permanent residence.
On January 20 this year, President Trump signed an executive order calling for much tougher vetting of foreign aliens, and in response, USCIS has this week proposed rules saying all of those already in the country who are going through some process with the agency – such as applying for permanent residency or citizenship – will have their social media scanned for subversion.
That means if you came to America before foreigners’ internet presence was screened as it now is, and you’re now seeking some kind of immigration benefit, at this rate you’ll be subject to the same scanning as those entering the Land of the Free today.“What’s changed is they are seeking to extend the review of social media to non-citizens inside the US, not just people arriving in the country, as has previously been the case,” explained Michelle Mittelstadt, director of communications and public affairs for the Migration Policy Institute, told The Register.
“The USCIS regulation would require non-citizens applying for an immigration benefit – naturalization, legal permanent residence (aka applying for a green card), or refugee or asylum status – to also be subject to social media inspection.”
If you see yourself immigrating to any country, you should always be mindful of your social media presence. I’m not sure if deleting these account fully would help, perhaps it would be too suspicious?