USCIS Plans to Collect Immigrants’ Social Media Information

The Trump administration plans to scrutinize the social media activity of immigrants seeking to enter the US, it said Tuesday.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services, which approves visas and other immigration benefits, is proposing to collect that information, arguing it’s necessary to comply with a White House executive order on protecting the US from terrorism and national security threats.

Members of the public will have 60 days to comment on those plans after a notice is published in the Federal Register Wednesday.

In a Jan. 20 executive order, President Donald Trump directed the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies to identify any resources that may be used to ensure immigrants seeking admission to the country “are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.”

USCIS in the Federal Register notice said collecting social media data is also necessary to set standards for assessing applicants’ eligibility for immigration benefits, without other details on visas or other benefits that could be affected.

It would also use the data to verify their identity and determine whether they pose a security or public safety threat, the agency said.