Aspiring to obtain a green card? USCIS will ask for your social media handle

MUMBAI: The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed a new rule requiring applicants for immigration-related benefits to disclose their social media identifiers (handles).
According to the USCIS notification, the proposed measure will affect various immigration forms, such as applications for American citizenship, asylum, and green cards (including upgrading from a two-year conditional green card). However, the immigration agency states that there are no additional costs to applicants beyond those already associated with filing immigration forms.
"A new regulation by the US Department of State, which came into effect from May 31, 2019 required disclosure of social media accounts and user names when applying for non-immigrant visas – such as for travel or work. In the proposed rule, issued by the USCIS, Form I-485 which is used for adjustment of status from H-1B to green card is covered. H-1B aspirants who have long-term plans of settling in the US, need to bear this in mind,” said an immigration expert attached to a technology company.
“It remains unclear how USCIS will interpret posts, how long they will store data, or what guidelines they will use to flag concerns. There is also a risk that applicants could face denials based on online activity that is taken out of context,” states Jonathan Wasden, an immigration attorney.
This proposal, recently published in the Federal Register, aims to strengthen national security screening and identity verification as part of President Trump’s Executive Order – ‘Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.’
Under the proposal, USCIS will collect social media handles from applicants to enhance vetting procedures and assess potential security risks. This move aligns with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) broader efforts to implement uniform screening standards. The agency has set a 60-day window for inviting public comments on the new data collection process, particularly regarding its necessity, effectiveness, and potential burdens on applicants.
Forms identified for collecting social media handles: