The State Department Wants to Require Visa Applicants to Submit Five Years of Social Media Details

(WASHINGTON) — The State Department wants to require all U.S. visa applicants to submit their social media usernames, previous email addresses and phone numbers, vastly expanding the Trump administration’s enhanced vetting of potential immigrants and visitors.


In documents to be published in Friday’s Federal Register, the department said it wants the public to comment on the proposed new requirements, which will affect nearly 15 million foreigners who apply for visas to enter the U.S. each year. Previously, social media, email and phone number histories were only sought from applicants identified for extra scrutiny, such as those who have traveled to areas controlled by terrorist organizations. An estimated 65,000 people per year are in that category.

The new rules would apply to virtually all applicants for immigrant and non-immigrant visas. The department estimates it would affect 710,000 immigrant visa applicants and 14 million non-immigrant visa applicants, including those who want to come to the U.S. for business or education, according to the documents.

The documents were posted on the Federal Register’s website on Thursday but the 60-day public comment period won’t begin until Friday’s edition is published.

If the requirements are approved by the Office of Management and Budget, applications for all visa types would list a number of social media platforms and require the applicant to provide any account names they may have had on them over the previous five years. It would also give the applicant the option to volunteer information about social media accounts on platforms not listed in the application.

In addition to their social media histories, visa applicants will be asked for five years of previously used telephone numbers, email addresses, international travel and deportation status, as well as whether any family members have been involved in terrorist activities.

Only applicants for certain diplomatic and official visa types may be exempted from the requirements, the documents said.

NwaAmaikpe:



That's why it's good to be a saint and stand for the truth on social media.

I just pity folks like Yarimo, Usba, Madridguy and Sarki who support all of Buhari's evils and call Southerners IPOB pigs.

I'm so sure when the Visa Officer sees just how hard IamAirforce1 balls; they'd give him a greencard.

IamAirforce1:


Lol

Mtchew

Sha manage this food for Easter

Nutase:
food wen dem prepare with pregnant woman urine. Abeg no chop am o before you kolo like the giver come begin 'Lai' how u take spend 100,000 on fruits.

Teaser0904:
I no kuku dey any social media

Teaser4:
imposter

NwaAmaikpe:



That's why it's good to be a saint and stand for the truth on social media.

I just pity folks like Yarimo, Usba, Madridguy and Sarki who support all of Buhari's evils and call Southerners IPOB pigs.

I'm so sure when the Visa Officer sees just how hard IamAirforce1 balls; they'd give him a greencard.

Teaser0904:
like seriously?Wow

SenseiVoyles:
Nwaamaikpe will probably be barred from the U.S. for life.
cc lalasticlala

Nutase:
Is NL inclusive??

NwaAmaikpe:



That's why it's good to be a saint and stand for the truth on social media.

I just pity folks like Yarimo, Usba, Madridguy and Sarki who support all of Buhari's evils and call Southerners IPOB pigs.

I'm so sure when the Visa Officer sees just how hard IamAirforce1 balls; they'd give him a greencard.