Washington, D.C.: The Trump administration has introduced a new proposal requiring Green Card holders and asylum seekers to disclose their social media account details to the U.S. government. The move is an extension of the existing policy that mandates visa applicants to share their social media information.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the initiative is aimed at strengthening identity verification, national security, and public safety. Officials argue that social media data can help assess applicants’ backgrounds and potential security risks.
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The administration released the proposal on March 5, inviting public comments. If implemented, the policy would apply to individuals seeking permanent residency or asylum in the U.S. This expansion aligns with the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on undocumented migration and increased scrutiny of legal immigrants.
Critics argue that the move could suppress political expression and raise concerns over government surveillance. The policy is expected to impact a significant number of legally residing immigrants, including members of the Indian-American community, particularly those active in political discussions.
A USCIS notice stated:
“Identity verification, scrutiny, national security, and public safety necessitate the collection of social media details from applicants. The government will assess social media accounts to determine whether an individual poses security risks.”