If you’re planning to apply for a green card or U.S. citizenship, reviewing your social media privacy settings is a good idea. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is set to implement a new policy requiring applicants to provide their social media usernames on several immigration and visitor forms. This will include applications for green cards and naturalization.
While DHS states that this information is meant to help verify identities and screen for security threats, some immigration advocates are concerned that this new policy could violate privacy and cause even more delays in an already overwhelmed immigration system.
What is the New DHS Social Media Policy?
Under the new DHS policy, individuals applying for a green card or U.S. citizenship, as well as certain foreign visitors, will be required to list all the social media accounts and usernames they have used over the last five years. Social media platforms that will be included in these forms are popular sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
DHS has clarified that it will not ask for applicants’ passwords. Instead, the department will only examine publicly available information to assess whether an applicant may pose any national security or law enforcement risks.
This social media question will be added to several immigration forms, including:
- Form I-485 (Application for Adjustment of Status)
- Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization)
- Seven additional forms used by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
How Will This Affect You?
For individuals seeking a green card through a marriage-based application, this new policy could impact your case. For example, if you’re a couple trying to prove the authenticity of your relationship, an immigration officer might look at your social media posts to verify that the marriage is genuine. If you’re a spouse hoping to remove the conditions on your temporary green card, your social media presence might also be checked to support your application.
Has the Government Collected Social Media Data Before?
Yes, this is not a completely new practice. The DHS has been collecting social media information about immigrants since 2017. Back then, the agency issued a notice stating that it would start gathering and storing social media details for all immigrants, including permanent residents and naturalized U.S. citizens.
Additionally, immigrants applying from outside the U.S. have already been required to provide social media information on their visa applications, under a policy that the U.S. Department of State started enforcing in June 2019.
Concerns Over Privacy and Delays
Immigration experts are voicing significant concerns about the impact of this new social media policy. Critics argue that it could lead to:
- Privacy violations: Many believe this policy undermines the privacy rights of immigrants and U.S. citizens by requiring the government to monitor social media accounts.
- Increased delays: Some experts warn that this policy will add even more processing delays to an already backlogged immigration system. Doug Rand, co-founder of Law and Visas and an immigration policy expert, expressed concerns about how the new policy could slow down the immigration process.
How Can You Protect Your Privacy on Social Media?
While DHS has stated it will only review publicly available information, it will not be able to access accounts set to private. Here are some tips to help protect your privacy while using social media:
- Check your privacy settings: Make sure your social media accounts are set to private so that only people you choose can see your posts. This limits the amount of personal information available to the public.
- Be cautious with friend requests: Avoid accepting requests from people you don’t know. This can help prevent unwanted scrutiny of your online activity.
- Understand how platforms work: Different social media platforms work in various ways. For example, on Facebook, if you tag a friend in a post or photo, their entire friend network may be able to see that content, even if it’s not visible to the public. Always think about how your posts might be shared.
- Review what you share: Before posting on social media, consider how it might be perceived or used in your immigration process.
When Will the New Policy Take Effect?
The public comment period for the new policy ended on November 4, 2019. Unless the policy is challenged in court, it is expected to be implemented soon. However, delays could occur depending on the outcome of any legal actions.
Suppose you’re planning to apply for a green card or citizenship. In that case, it’s a good idea to submit your application sooner rather than later to avoid any potential delays or extra scrutiny related to the new rule.
The introduction of the DHS social media policy is a significant change for those applying for immigration benefits in the U.S. While DHS claims that the goal is to improve security and verify identities, the policy raises important concerns about privacy, freedom of speech, and the potential for even more delays in an already slow immigration system.
As the policy continues to roll out, applicants should remain aware of how it may affect their applications and take steps to protect their online privacy, including adjusting privacy settings and being mindful of what they share on social media.
