US to expand vetting of social media for visa applicants

The United States government is reportedly set to broaden its screening of social media accounts belonging to visa applicants, a measure that will now include foreign journalists. This initiative is part of President Donald Trump's broader immigration enforcement strategy.

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the department is constantly reviewing and evaluating screening and vetting procedures worldwide to ensure that our visa process upholds the highest standards for US national security and public safety.

According to an article published by The Daily Signal, which obtained an internal memo, the State Department plans to extend social media vetting to more visa categories. This would necessitate applicants making their social media accounts public or open. A State Department spokesperson stated that the department continuously reviews its screening procedures to uphold national security and public safety standards.

"Online presence vetting is about applicants demonstrating their eligibility to receive a visa under US law and ensuring that no individual poses a risk to the safety and security of the United States," the spokesperson explained. The U.S. already requires applicants for certain visas, such as student visas, to make their accounts public. The Daily Signal reported that this practice would now extend to foreign media representatives and some nationals from Mexico and Canada.

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Online presence vetting is about applicants demonstrating their eligibility to receive a visa under US law and ensuring that no individual poses a risk to the safety and security of the United States.

Since taking office, Trump has implemented measures to deport millions of undocumented migrants and restrict entry for citizens from several countries. The Trump administration recently finalized rules imposing stricter limits on the duration of stay for foreign students and journalists. Under these potential changes, foreigners on student visas would be admitted for the length of their academic program, up to a maximum of four years. Foreign journalists could be limited to stays of 240 days, approximately eight months, with the possibility of applying for extensions of similar duration.

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A visa is a privilege, not a right.