The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced plans to significantly expand the use of social media data collection for millions of individuals applying for immigration benefits. Under a new proposal, applicants seeking green cards, citizenship, asylum, and other immigration benefits will be required to disclose their social media handles as part of their application process.
What Does This Mean for Immigration Applicants?
On March 5, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a formal notice outlining its intent to comply with Executive Order 14161, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” This order mandates the collection of social media identifiers on nine critical immigration forms, including:
- N-400 (Naturalization)
- I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence)
- I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status)
- I-589 (Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal)
- I-730 (Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition)
- I-192 (Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant)
- I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status)
- I-590 (Registration for Classification as a Refugee)
- I-131 (Application for Travel Document)
USCIS estimates this policy could impact approximately 3.6 million applicants annually.
USCIS to Screen Social Media for Antisemitic Speech
On April 9, 2025, USCIS announced it will begin further screening applicants’ social media platforms specifically for antisemitic speech and activities as a potential ground for denying immigration benefits. The new policy applies immediately and affects green card applicants and international students, among others.
USCIS will evaluate social media posts to identify any demonstrations of support for groups such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, or the Houthi movement in Yemen. Social media content indicating, endorsing, or promoting antisemitic activity will be considered a negative factor in USCIS discretionary analysis when adjudicating immigration benefits.
Immigration and privacy advocates have expressed concerns about First Amendment implications, emphasizing the lack of clearly defined guidelines for this expanded scrutiny.
The Evolution of Social Media Monitoring
Though this policy appears unprecedented, social media scrutiny by immigration officials has gradually expanded over the past decade:
- 2014-2016: Under the Obama administration, DHS began pilot programs using social media for limited immigration vetting.
- 2017-2021: The Trump administration introduced “extreme vetting,” significantly broadening social media reviews, requiring handles on all visa applications, and expanding surveillance beyond U.S.-based platforms.
- 2025: The current proposal integrates social media data collection into nearly all immigration applications, marking the most extensive and formalized use of such data yet.
How Does USCIS Use Social Media?
Immigration officers examine social media accounts to verify identities, uncover fraudulent claims, identify security threats, and ensure the consistency of information provided by applicants. Specific concerns USCIS looks for include:
- Fraud detection: Identifying discrepancies between social media activity and submitted application forms.
- Security threats: Screening for associations with extremist or terrorist groups.
- Relationship verification: Checking consistency in family-based immigration cases.
- Employment verification: Confirming job histories through professional platforms such as LinkedIn.
- Character assessment: Evaluating posts that reflect poorly on an applicant’s moral character.
If concerning content is found, USCIS can address it during interviews, issue Requests for Evidence (RFEs), or even deny the immigration benefit outright.
Protecting Your Immigration Case: Best Practices
Given these developments, applicants must be particularly vigilant about their social media presence. Here are key recommendations:
- Regularly review and update privacy settings.
- Maintain separate personal and professional social media profiles.
- Ensure consistency between your social media posts and your immigration application.
- Avoid posting content that might be misunderstood or flagged, including jokes about crime, terrorism, or negative comments about the immigration process or authorities.
Notably, current privacy laws offer limited protection against government scrutiny of publicly available social media content. While private messages require a warrant for access, public posts—even those later deleted—can still be reviewed by USCIS.
Expert Legal Guidance Can Make a Difference
In the current immigration climate, your online presence could significantly impact your immigration journey. To navigate these new challenges, consult with an experienced immigration attorney. Odunlami Law Firm is here to help you protect your rights and ensure your immigration applications meet all necessary requirements.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and secure your path toward a successful immigration journey.
