The administration of President Donald Trump has expanded
social media verification requirements for a greater number of applicants for
U.S. visas, according to a recently released report.
The report states that the measure aims to strengthen
immigration background checks through a broader analysis of applicants' public
activity on digital platforms, as part of the security controls implemented by
the federal government.
The expansion of these checks would apply to more visa
categories for foreign nationals, with the goal of strengthening the assessment
of potential risks before authorizing entry to the United States.
The policy is part of a broader strategy by the Trump
administration to tighten immigration procedures and national security filters.
However, the measure has drawn criticism from civil rights and privacy
organizations, which argue about potential implications for freedom of
expression and the handling of personal data.
So far, US authorities have not offered additional details
on the scope of the expansion or on the specific criteria that will be used
during the review of applicants' social media accounts.