US Customs and Border Protection are asking for social media information from ESTA and US visa applicants as part of their efforts do protect the United States by identifying potential risks to national security. They may also be used to cross-reference the other information provided in the ESTA application.
Do you need a social media account to apply for US visa?
The United States Embassy building in central London. The State Department is now requiring visa applicants to submit social media account information for the past five years. Credit...
Is the State Department asking for social media information for visas?
During the Obama administration, the State Department began to ask visa applicants to voluntarily submit their social media information.
Which social media platforms are most likely to affect your visa application?
Among the social media platforms based outside the United States on the list are Tencent Weibo, Twoo, and Youku. “National security is our top priority when adjudicating visa applications, and every prospective traveler and immigrant to the United States undergoes extensive security screening,” the State Department said in a statement.
Why give social media accounts info on ds-160/260 forms?
Why give Social Media Accounts info on DS-160, 260 forms? US Department of State says that they will collect and use the Social Media Information of the US visa applicants for “identity resolution and vetting purposes based on statutory visa eligibility standards ”.
Do I need to provide social media for US visa?
Beginning Friday, May 31, 2019, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) requires all nonimmigrant visa applicants to provide information for all social media accounts used within the five years preceding application at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad.
Why do they ask for social media on ds160?
Last but not least, it is important to note that Consular Officials cannot “deny visas based on applicants' race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, political views, gender, or sexual orientation.” To reiterate, social media information “will be used for identity resolution and to determine whether the applicant is ...
Is necessary to give social media accounts in DS 160?
in DS-160 ? Yes. You need to share all of the social media accounts that you own. Should you list all of my old social media platforms that are not available anymore on DS-160 Form and DS-260 Form ?
Does USCIS ask for social media?
The short answer is no, USCIS officials will no longer look through your social media accounts before they approve your green card petition. The short answer is no, USCIS officials will no longer look through your social media accounts before they approve your green card petition.
Does the US Embassy look at your social media?
Visa applicants are required to provide their usernames for social media platforms they have used in the past 5 years. So, if you no longer use Facebook, but did use it 3 or 4 years ago, you will need to provide your username.
Do visa officers check your social media?
Applicants must provide the social media accounts and usernames that they have used in the last five years. For example, they would need to provide this information for any Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts that they hold. However, they do not need to provide passwords for these accounts.
Does USCIS check social media 2022?
Don't just think that because USCIS officials said in Washington, that they don't check social media, that they don't in fact. Another way that this can become an issue is when people come through customs. A lot of times, customs officials will ask to look at your laptops, or ask to look at your cell phone.
Does USCIS check internet history?
This does not permit USCIS to search your social media account or internet history, but the agency is now collecting and storing records of your social media use available in the public domain.
Do visa officers check Facebook?
No. A Case Officer won't engage with you on social media or comment on any of your posts. They won't leave a trace. The only way you'll come into contact with your Case Officer is if they call you to conduct an interview or request a face-to-face interview.
Does immigration check Whatsapp?
It doesn't. The best strategy is simply to assume that anything you post online will be seen and examined by immigration authorities. Some immigration attorneys may even recommend that you refrain from social media use entirely while your visa or green card application is pending.
Can immigration spy on you?
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has crafted a sophisticated surveillance dragnet designed to spy on most people living in the United States, without the need for warrants and many times circumventing state privacy laws, such as those in California, according to a two-year investigation released Tuesday by the ...
What is social media identifier for US visa?
The FAQ defines “[a] social media 'handle' or 'identifier' is any name used by the individual on social media platforms including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.” The Forms DS-160 (and DS-156) and DS-260 include a list of social media networks for which social media handles and identifiers are ...
What is a social media presence?
What is social media presence? Social media presence refers to the visibility a brand has on social media platforms and the connection it builds with its community. The stronger your presence, the more trust you can build with your audience before developing a direct relationship beyond this marketing channel.
What is social media handle?
A social media handle is your username. Oftentimes, on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, a handle follows an @ symbol, like @Squadhelp. It is a way for people to identify you and communicate with you.
Why USCIS Reviews Social Media
The additional questions related to social media use are designed to identify threats to national security, especially those related to terrorism or other violent activities. Thus, foreign nationals who are hoping to obtain legal status in the U.S. should try to avoid posting content that suggests involvement with terrorism or gang violence.
Possible Precautions to Take
Before you apply for a visa, you should review any social media accounts for questionable activity from the last five years. You can delete content if you think that it might cause suspicions or misinterpretations. Another step to consider involves enhancing the privacy settings on your social media accounts.
What is social media?
Social media is an intricate map of its users’ contacts, associations, habits and preferences. Critics say the sweeping surveillance potential of the new regulations could discourage a wide range of visa applicants. Social media is an intricate map of its users’ contacts, associations, habits and preferences.
How many people are asked to submit their social media usernames?
Nearly all applicants for a visa to enter the United States — an estimated 15 million people a year — will be asked to submit their social media usernames for the past five years, the State Department has said. Vincent Tullo/The New York Times
How many US visas are given to Indians every year?
The new policy will affect roughly 15 million US visa applicants around the world every year. More than a million non-immigrant and immigrant US visas are given to Indians every year. Government officials and diplomats are exempt from providing the additional information.
How many Indians are granted US visas?
More than a million non-immigrant and immigrant US visas are given to Indians every year. Government officials and diplomats are exempt from providing the additional information. In 2018, 28,073 Indians were issued American immigrant visas, the vast majority of which passed through the “family preference” process.
Why is the Indian Express green?
The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards.
When did Obama stop social media?
In early 2014, the Obama administration had prohibited social media profile evaluations during visa application processes. Later that year, the policy was loosened, but social media checks were not standard practice until a shooting in California in 2015.
When did the State Department start collecting social media?
The State Department first announced the mandatory collection of social media accounts in March 2018.
What the new visa rule means for everyone
In a new rule issued by the State Department last week, nearly all applicants for US visas will have to submit their social media details to immigration officials for inspection before their applications are processed.
Why is this new law necessary?
Billions of people around the world now have social media accounts or are on social media. Millions from this number want to get into the US legally or illicitly.
How was it done before now?
In the past, only visa applicants who needed additional vetting, were required to submit their social media accounts for perusal.
How does this affect you as a Nigerian?
Thousands of Nigerians besiege US embassies from Abuja to Lagos annually, as they seek escape from harsh economic conditions at home.
When do you have to submit social media information for a visa?
June 2, 2019. Visa applicants to the United States are required to submit any information about social media accounts they have used in the past five years under a State Department policy that started on Friday.
What did Trump ask for in 2017?
In March 2017, President Trump asked the secretary of state, the attorney general, the secretary of homeland security and the director of national intelligence to put in effect “ a uniform baseline for screening and vetting standards and procedures ,” according to a memo published in the Federal Register. Requiring information about the social media accounts of visa applicants was part of that.
Did the Obama administration ask for social media information?
During the Obama administration, the State Department began to ask visa applicants to voluntarily submit their social media information.
Why do consular officers monitor social media accounts?
According to Mandy, consular officers might consider monitoring social media accounts “ if there are suspicions raised about a visa applicant’s motives in the United States. Then, the Visa Officer may review the applicant’s social media accounts, or even more seriously, refer the case to the Fraud Prevention Unit where a specialist will take more time to review all of the applicant’s social media accounts .”
Why is the Department of Homeland Security looking at social media accounts?
To put it simply, the U.S. is looking at the international students’ social media and electronic devices to make sure that they will not be a threat to the U.S.
When will Argo Visa give $25 off?
Thanks to the official partnership between Argo Visa and SEVIS SAVVY, students can get $25 off until the end of August 2021 by clicking any of the Argo Visa links in this article or by letting them know that you were referred by SEVIS SAVVY.
Why do students feel uncomfortable sharing social media accounts?
Some students feel uncomfortable sharing social media accounts under the “Do you have a social media presence” section because they think it is their privacy. It is understandable for students to feel that way as that’s where students share their personal stories. However, visa applicants are asked to provide other private information as well such as “limited contact information, travel history, family member information, and previous addresses.”
Can CBP officers access social media?
Just like visa officials, CBP officers can only access publicly available social media postings. Also, it seems that CBP officers would not reject one’s entry solely based on social media postings unless the posting is “deemed threatening” and it requires reasonable actions. Rather it is “to draft reports designed to shape the agency’s situational awareness.”
Can a consular official deny a visa based on race?
Last but not least, it is important to note that Consular Officials cannot “deny visas based on applicants’ race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, political views, gender, or sexual orientation .” To reiterate, social media information “will be used for identity resolution and to determine whether the applicant is eligible for a U.S. visa under U.S. law .”
Do students have to be truthful on social media?
Visa applicants should keep in mind that “ students always be truthful about their social media identifiers if they have them . In fact, they should always be truthful in all of the responses they input into the DS-160 or DS-260 (for immigrant visas/ green cards) forms,” said Mandy.
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Why give Social Media Accounts info on DS-160, 260 forms ?
US Department of State says that they will collect and use the Social Media Information of the US visa applicants for “identity resolution and vetting purposes based on statutory visa eligibility standards ”. Essentially, all it means is that they will use it to validate your identity, your information presented in visa application to check if you are eligible for US visa based on their requirements such as, for example you cannot get visa, if you are associated with terrorist activities or threat to the US in some way… They will not check the social media info for diplomatic and official visa applicants. Below is the actual text from the regulation. Check Federal Register
What to share on DS-160 form Facebook Username ? Twitter ?
Every social media platform has a username or handle tied to your account. Usually, it is in the settings section. You need to share that User Name / User ID or Handle. For example, in case of Facebook, if you go to settings section, you will find it, see below. For Twitter you can see the twitter handle on your profile itself. See below.
What information do you need to list on social media?
List the username, handle, screen-name, or other identifiers associated with your social media profile. (You do not need to list accounts designed for use by multiple users within a business or other organization.) “
Do you have to disclose all social media accounts?
that you held in the last 5 years…So, technically does not make you select NONE, you still need to disclose it. If you just delete and fail to disclose it, then you are considered lying on your form and punishable as you are signing the form by saying that you are stating all the facts under penalty of perjury
Do I need to share my Twitter password on DS-260?
Do I need to share Facebook, Twitter Password on DS-160, DS-260 forms ? No, there is no need or requirement to share the password. You just need to share the username/ userid or handle in the social media account. In general, it is your account and you should NOT share the password with anyone.
Can you be penalized for lying on social media?
No, you should NOT answer NONE, if you were or currently are on any of the social media platforms. If you do so, you are lying and it is considered fraud and you can be penalized for it. In fact, at the end of submission of the DS-160 or DS-260 form, you are signing the form by saying that you are stating all the facts under penalty of perjury, so if you do not state all facts, it can be punishable offence.
Do I need to share Facebook, Twitter Password on DS-160, DS-260 forms ?
No, there is no need or requirement to share the password. You just need to share the username/ userid or handle in the social media account. In general, it is your account and you should NOT share the password with anyone. You
