Millions of immigrants may soon be required to disclose their social media profiles as part of their application process with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This initiative, proposed by President Donald Trump's administration, aims to expand digital scrutiny as a tool for security and identity verification.
Who Will Be Impacted?
This change will directly affect applicants for key immigration benefits, including naturalization, asylum, refugee status, and permanent residency. The proposal, made public by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the Federal Register on September 16, 2025, mandates the inclusion of social media handles in several USCIS official forms.
Forms affected include:
- N-400: Application for Naturalization
- I-131: Application for Travel Document
- I-192: Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant
- I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
- I-589: Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal
- I-590: Registration for Classification as Refugee
- I-730: Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition
- I-751: Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
- I-829: Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status
Details of the New Requirement
Currently under public consultation until October 16, 2025, this rule is part of Executive Order 14161, which was signed in January of the same year. Titled "Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security Threats," it aims to enhance identity verification and national security background checks.
According to USCIS, this requirement is expected to affect over three million applicants annually, adding an estimated 3.2 million additional administrative hours for form completion. Applicants will need to report their active and past social media account identifiers.
For private profiles, officials may demand additional access to both historical and recent content to complete their review. "The official goal is to strengthen identity verification and national security background checks," states USCIS in an accompanying report.
Privacy Concerns Emerge
The potential impact on freedom of expression and privacy rights for immigrants is one of the most controversial aspects. "Visa applicants, particularly students, must ensure their profiles are public, as private profiles could be seen as an attempt to hide information," warned journalist Mario J. Pentón.
This new scrutiny would not be limited to recent posts. Older posts, comments, and social media connections would also be subject to review, potentially leading to ambiguities in evaluating content out of context.
A Precedent in Social Media Scrutiny
While now institutionalized, the scrutiny of social media by the U.S. government is not a new practice. The Trump administration had already established a policy of continuous review for visa holders under the direction of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
This policy affects over 55 million people globally. Within this framework, the Department of State reviews activities after visa issuance, including illegal stays, criminal records, links to terrorist groups, and social media behavior. In 2025 alone, this policy led to the revocation of approximately 6,000 visas.
Rubio emphasized that this policy "is not limited to new applicants and can be applied at any time," even to tourists with multiple-entry visas or residents outside the country. Additionally, the issuance of work visas for commercial truck drivers was suspended as part of efforts to reduce internal risks.
Guidance for Applicants
The regulation has not yet been approved and is subject to review. The DHS has opened a public comment phase until October 16, allowing citizens, organizations, and advocates to submit their opinions via regulations.gov under docket number USCIS-2025-0003.
USCIS clarified that there will be no additional fees for including social media information, although the time required to complete the forms may increase.
A New Hurdle in the Immigration Process
Civil rights advocates view this proposal as a concerning precedent. Organizations like the ACLU have pointed out that similar measures in the past have led to excessive surveillance, racial profiling, and unjustified entry restrictions.
In a context where every digital interaction can be scrutinized and reinterpreted, the online lives of immigrants are at the heart of the debate on security and fundamental rights. Without clear definitions of what content could be considered "risky" or "threatening," many fear that personal posts, political criticism, or even the use of memes could be used against them.
If approved, the measure will not only change immigration processes but also how millions of people manage their digital identities in relation to their immigration status.
Understanding the Impact of Social Media Disclosure for Immigrants
Who will be affected by the new social media disclosure requirement?
Applicants for naturalization, asylum, refugee status, and permanent residency will be directly impacted by this new requirement, as well as those completing various USCIS forms.
What is the purpose of requiring social media information?
The stated purpose is to enhance identity verification and national security background checks, ensuring that applicants do not pose a threat to the United States.
How will private social media profiles be handled?
Officials may require additional access to both past and recent content from private profiles to complete their review as part of the application process.