US Admission in the Age of Social Media: Your Posts Matter More Than You Think
Over the past few decades, social media usage has skyrocketed with hundreds of different applications and nearly every individual owning some kind of social media account. It has allowed humanity as a whole to become even more connected and informed about global news.
Since his first presidential term, Trump has made an effort to issue travel bans to multiple countries, including but not limited to: Sudan, Myanmar, and Yemen; this effort continues with his second term. This is a part of his efforts to limit illegal US immigration and “protect national security”.
Just a few weeks ago, the administration issued a notice requiring F, J, and M visa applicants to have public social media accounts, again pointing to national security as the reason. Accounts will be looked at to find any “potentially derogatory information” but it doesn’t specify what would be considered. Accounts that take part in political activism will also be screened to see if their views are appropriate.
Although this mainly applies to students looking for education in the US, the investigation into social media accounts doesn’t end there.
Earlier this month, an Australian man was denied entry into the US after being detained for 12 hours, based on his views on the Israel-Gaza conflict. The man was questioned because he had posted his opinion on the Columbia protests.
He says he was asked “whether I have Jewish friends, whether I have Muslim friends, how I would resolve the conflict in the Middle East"— The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also advised Australians travelling to the US that entry requirements are “strict”. Similarly, a French researcher was also denied entry into the US because of opinions he expressed with his coworkers and friends about the Trump administration’s policies. They were determined to be “hateful and conspiracy messages” and the reason that he was removed.
Green Card holders have also been experiencing issues with reentry to the US, earlier this year U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) made a post confirming that green card holders will also have their social media accounts looked at and their status revoked if they are determined to be a “threat to national security”.
People have also been detained for other reasons; a green card holder was detained by ICE because his work group accidentally crossed into Canada after taking a detour due to road closures. The screening for reentry in the case of green card holders has also become stricter.
When we are behind the screen, sometimes we forget that what we share is a reflection of who we are. The spread of social media surveillance is a reminder of this and increases the risks of real-life consequences offline. The administration has stressed its focus on national security, but offers a vague description of what is considered a threat. Your digital footprint walks into the interview before you do, so you should be very cautious of what you choose to post online.
Every post you like or comment you make can become part of your immigration history in this digital age. If you are unsure about how your online presence may affect your status or reentry to the US, consider reaching out to an immigration attorney or nonprofit legal aid organization so you can gain a better understanding of your rights and options.
