Trump administration wants Green Card holder in US to provide their social media profiles
The Trump administration has proposed a significant change regarding green card applicants in the U.S., requiring them to provide their social media profiles as part of the application process. This initiative aims to enhance identity verification and national security screening, extending existing requirements that currently apply only to visa applicants from abroad.
Under the new proposal, individuals who are already legally residing in the U.S. and applying for permanent residency or asylum will need to submit their social media handles. This requirement is part of a broader initiative by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to improve vetting processes for immigrants, as outlined in an executive order from President Trump titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats”.
USCIS argues that collecting social media identifiers is essential for enhanced identity verification and national security checks. The agency believes that this information will help inform decisions related to public safety and vetting processes.
Public Reaction: The proposal has sparked considerable backlash, with critics labeling it as a violation of free speech rights. Concerns have been raised about a potential chilling effect on political expression, particularly among active contributors in political discourse. Early public feedback has indicated strong opposition, with many commenters citing fears of government overreach and privacy violations.
This move follows several controversial incidents involving immigration enforcement actions, which have heightened scrutiny of individuals based on their political affiliations or expressions online.
The public has until May 5 to comment on the proposal, reflecting ongoing debates about immigration policy and civil liberties in the U.S.
