Trump Administration Moves to Impose Stricter Visa Requirements, Social Media Checks Made Mandatory

Washington: The Trump administration has decided to introduce significantly stricter conditions for individuals seeking U.S. visas, including a mandatory review of applicants’ social media activity from the past five years.

According to reports, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has published a notice in the Federal Register, officially mandating these new requirements. Under the proposed policy, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will assess whether applicants have shared or promoted any anti-America, anti-Semitic, or terrorism-related content on their social media accounts in recent years. However, officials have not yet clarified when the new rules will be implemented.

The U.S. public has been given 60 days to submit feedback on the proposed measures.

In addition to social media screenings, visa applicants may also be required to provide family members’ email addresses, phone numbers, and other personal information.

Earlier, the State Department had instructed tourists to make their social media posts public, and in August, the Trump administration announced its intention to scrutinize the online history of those applying for U.S. visas and green cards.

Experts warn that the new policy could lead to visa rejections for students, tourists, and other visitors based on posts deemed anti-American. Concerns are also growing that authorities may use political or ideological differences as grounds for denial.

The Trump administration has already barred citizens of 19 countries from entering the United States and is considering expanding that list to 30. Surprisingly, the new measures would also apply to countries like the United Kingdom and Germany, which previously enjoyed visa exemptions.