US defends expanded social media screening of foreign visa applicants

The US State Department defended expanded social media screening of foreign visa applicants, citing national security and public safety. The reported policy could cover foreign journalists and certain Canadian and Mexican professionals, requiring broader online scrutiny. The department did not confirm the memorandum

Washington: The US State Department defended its extensive online screening of foreign visa applicants after a report said the Trump administration was expanding social media vetting to additional visa categories, including foreign journalists and some Canadian and Mexican professionals. The Daily Signal reported that an internal State Department memorandum required applicants to make their social media accounts public or open for examination by consular officers.

According to the report, the expanded requirement would cover foreign media representatives and qualified Canadian and Mexican nationals entering the United States for business under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Their dependants would also be covered.

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The State Department did not confirm or deny the reported memorandum. While we do not comment on purported internal documents, the Trump Administration is protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process, a State Department spokesperson told IANS. As Secretary Rubio said, a visa is a privilege, not a right, the spokesperson added.

The department said every foreign national seeking admission to the United States was subjected to extensive checks. The Department of State is screening and vetting to the maximum extent possible every foreign national seeking admission to the United States to ensure they will respect U.S. law including the terms of their admission and do not pose a threat to U.S. security, public safety, or national interests, the spokesperson said.

The Daily Signal reported that social media vetting was already required for applicants seeking diplomatic and official visas, temporary worker and trainee visas and exchange visitor visas.

The requirement also covered international cultural exchange participants, religious workers and applicants classified as witnesses, informants or victims, according to the report.

The State Department said its screening rules remained under continuous examination. The Department is constantly reviewing and evaluating screening and vetting procedures worldwide to ensure that our visa process upholds the highest standards for U.S. national security and public safety, the spokesperson said.

Consular officers use information available online as part of their assessment of whether an applicant qualifies for a visa and presents any security concerns.

Officers use a variety of methods to make informed decisions that protect national security, prevent fraud, and ensure a thorough review of applicants, the spokesperson said.

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

The expansion would extend an online screening policy that the administration has already applied to several major visa groups. It could require more applicants to expose posts and other information previously limited to approved followers.