Green Card: New U.S. Rule May Impact 3.5 Million Applicants
Social Media Vetting for Green Card Applications: What You Need to Know
Millions of immigrants applying for U.S. green cards or citizenship may soon need to provide their social media details as part of their immigration applications. The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this potential new requirement in a Federal Register notice on March 5, 2025. If approved, the policy will apply to multiple immigration forms, affecting an estimated 3.5 million applicants annually.
Green Card: A Move to Strengthen National Security
The DHS claims that this proposal aligns with an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” The order directs federal agencies to tighten screening measures for immigrants and visa applicants to enhance national security.
As part of this initiative, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will collect social media handles from applicants. However, the agency has clarified that it will not request passwords or private login information.
Who Will Be Affected by the Rule?
According to DHS estimates, the requirement to provide social media details for green card applications could impact more than 3.5 million people annually. The review of social media activity aims to improve fraud detection and assess whether an applicant poses a potential security or public safety threat.
Speaking to Newsweek, Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, highlighted how comprehensive immigration forms already are. “These applications contain a number of detailed questions that often require legal assistance. Many of these questions help determine eligibility, especially when derogatory information is found,” she explained.
Forms That Will Be Impacted
If the proposal moves forward, applicants for the following forms will need to include social media details:
- N-400 – Application for Naturalization
- I-131 – Application for Travel Document
- I-192 – Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant
- I-485 – Application for Adjustment of Status
- I-589 – Application for Asylum and 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
Green Card: Public Opinion and Next Steps
The DHS has opened the Federal eRulemaking Portal for public comments for 60 days. During this period, individuals, advocacy groups, and legal experts can share their views on the proposed requirement. Once the comment period closes, the DHS will review the feedback and decide whether to implement, modify, or withdraw the rule.
The move to require social media details for green card applications has sparked debates over privacy, national security, and the potential for misuse of information. While some view it as a necessary measure for security, others worry about its implications for free speech and personal data protection.
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