Sunday, April 1, 2018

US visa applicants to give social media IDs? 
times of india 31.03.2018

Washington: The US state department has come out with a new proposal mandating all US visa applicants to submit their social media user-names, previous email addresses and phone numbers, vastly expanding the Trump administration’s enhanced vetting of potential immigrants and visitors.

In documents published in Friday’s Federal Register, the department said it wants the public to comment on the proposed new requirements that will affect nearly 15 million foreigners who apply for visas each year. The new rules would apply to virtually all applicants for immigrant and non-immigrant visas.

Previously, social media, email and phone number histories were only sought from applicants identified for extra scrutiny, such as those who have travelled to areas controlled by terrorist organisations. An estimated 65,000 people per year are in that category. AGENCIES

Move may affect 7 lakh immigrant visa applicants

The department estimates it would affect 7,10,000 immigrant visa applicants and 14 million non-immigrant visa applicants, including those who want to come to the US for business or education, according to the documents. The public has 60 days to comment on the revised procedures before the office of management and budget approves or rejects them.

If approved, applications for all visa types would list a number of social media platforms and require the applicant to provide any account names they may have had on them over the previous five years.

Only applicants for certain diplomatic and official visa types may be exempted from the requirements, the documents said.

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