The US government’s Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is considering monitoring not just the social media posts of non-citizens coming into the country, but also those already in America going through an immigration or citizenship process.
Back in 2019 the Department of Homeland Security decided anyone looking to enter the US on a work visa or similar had to hand over their social media handles to the authorities so that they could be looked over for wrongdoing and subversion.
In fact, this goes back to 2014, at least, to one degree or another, and has been standard procedure for years for foreigners, particularly those coming in on a visa.
Our non-American vultures who obtain media visas to work a stint, long or short, in the United States for El Reg have had to disclose all manner of personal info, such as social media profiles, family and employment details, and whether or not we’ve ever been card-carrying communists or trafficked child soldiers. No, is the answer, by the way, to both. (One of us had a career in the military and thus had an interesting experience disclosing their expertise in explosives and weapons; you can guess who.)
They are seeking to extend the review of social media to non-citizens inside the US, not just people arriving in the country
On January 20 this year, President Trump signed an executive order calling for much tougher vetting of foreign aliens, and in response, USCIS has proposed rules saying those already in the country who are going through some process with the agency – such as applying for permanent residency or citizenship – will have their social media scanned for subversion.
That means if you came to America before foreigners’ internet presence was screened as it now is, and you’re now seeking some kind of immigration benefit, you’ll be subject to the same scanning as those entering the Land of the Free today.
“What’s changed is they are seeking to extend the review of social media to non-citizens inside the US, not just people arriving in the country, as has previously been the case,” explained Michelle Mittelstadt, director of communications and public affairs for the Migration Policy Institute, told The Register.
“The USCIS regulation would require non-citizens applying for an immigration benefit – naturalization, legal permanent residence (aka applying for a green card), or refugee or asylum status – to also be subject to social media inspection.”
Mittelstadt continued:
Trump’s order entitled “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The US,” calls for much tougher vetting of folks coming into the country, and those changing their immigration status, such as an H-1B worker going for a green card, or a green card holder moving to citizenship. It’s expected to bring back more mandatory interviews for those changing these status in the country, and more, as seen in his first term.
Follow the law and and you will find opportunity. Break it and you will find consequences
“The United States must ensure that admitted aliens and aliens otherwise already present in the United States do not bear hostile attitudes toward its citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles, and do not advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists and other threats to our national security,” the order reads.
It calls on USCIS to “vet and screen to the maximum degree possible all aliens who intend to be admitted, enter, or are already inside the United States, particularly those aliens coming from regions or nations with identified security risks.”
Coinciding with that, foreigners applying for immigration benefits in the US, when visiting the USCIS portal for applicants, were this week greeted with a friendly message that reads: “Making America safe again. America welcomes those who respect our laws. Follow the law and and you will find opportunity. Break it and you will find consequences.”
It adds that illegal aliens must self-deport, “and stay out.” They were last month ordered to register online with Uncle Sam so the administration can keep tabs on them.
The proposed social media policing changes now have a 60-day comment period for members of the public to suggest amendments; they have until May 5 to send them in. Around 15 percent of the US population are foreign born, though only those looking to adjust their status or apply for some other immigration benefit will be affected by these updates.
USCIS estimates that analyzing the social media posts will take an extra 285,999 hours a year as staff scan through endless cat memes and banal “here’s what I’m doing today” posts in the hope of finding some fool posting, “I love breaking the law by paying hookers for sex!” or “I can’t wait to attend jihadist terror summer camp!”
Oddly, it says this will not incur any costs to the agency, suggesting the project will be automated, as it’s already doing, with mixed results. ®
PS: Of course, the President has also just blinked and delayed tariffs on Canada and Mexico by a month.