The Trump administration is considering expanding social media screening for green card and citizenship applicants to identify individuals with “hostile attitudes” toward the U.S. or ties to terrorism.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently proposed collecting social media handles from applicants for naturalization, permanent residence, and asylum, extending an existing policy that currently applies to visa applicants.
According to USCIS, the move aligns with President Trump’s executive order on national security, which mandates thorough vetting of foreign nationals entering or residing in the U.S. The administration aims to prevent individuals who may harbor anti-American sentiments or support terrorist organizations from obtaining immigration benefits.
This initiative coincides with broader efforts to crack down on pro-Palestine activism and perceived criticism of the U.S. government.
Recent cases include the detention of a green card holder involved in protests, the denial of entry to a French scientist over private messages criticizing Trump, and the revocation of a Canadian actress’s visa due to an “unprofessional” letterhead.
Additionally, the State Department is reportedly developing an AI-based program to identify and revoke visas of foreign nationals suspected of supporting Hamas or other designated terrorist groups. USCIS has stated that collecting social media data will help verify applicants’ identities and assess potential security risks. Public feedback on the proposal will be accepted until May 5, potentially impacting over 3.5 million applicants.
