Indians applying for a U.S. visa or Green Card must now provide their social media account details along with their immigration applications. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this requirement in a notice on March 5. According to DHS, over 3.5 million foreign applicants, including Indians seeking Green Cards, citizenship, and other benefits, will be required to submit this information. This policy is part of Executive Order 14161, signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump in January, aimed at tightening immigration screening procedures.
Under the new regulation, applicants must disclose their social media account details in nine major immigration forms submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, they are not required to share their passwords. The collected data will be used to verify applications and assess national security risks. This change is expected to increase scrutiny on Indian immigrants, especially those in the STEM fields, H-1B visa applicants, and EB-5 investors.
Immigration experts warn that even casual online conversations may be reviewed under this rule. Social media activity, including posts, comments, and chats, could be monitored for security purposes. This new measure is expected to intensify surveillance on online behavior, adding another layer of scrutiny for Indian professionals and investors seeking to immigrate to the U.S.
