The US State Department has mandated social media screening for all H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependents starting December 15, 2025, requiring them to set their profiles to "public" to facilitate enhanced vetting amid national security concerns. The directive, issued on Wednesday, emphasises that a US visa is "a privilege and not a right," with every adjudication treated as a security decision. Officials will review online activity to assess potential risks, underscoring the Trump administration's vigilance in preventing harm to Americans from visa holders.
The policy extends to F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas, affecting thousands of Indian professionals who dominate H-1B issuances for tech roles. It builds on September's executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas and a recent halt on green card, citizenship, and asylum applications from nationals of 19 "countries of concern," including Afghanistan, Iran, and Venezuela. The asylum pause follows a Washington, DC, shooting that killed US Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and injured Air Force Staff Sgt Andrew Wolfe, perpetrated by an Afghan national admitted via Operation Allies Welcome.
In India, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed parliamentary concerns on Thursday, affirming that visa scrutiny is a sovereign right of host nations. "The US government has taken a view that every visa adjudication is a national security decision," he stated in the Rajya Sabha, noting Washington's explicit intent to examine online footprints. Jaishankar confirmed Indian diplomatic interventions through consulates and embassies, urging the US to avoid punitive measures for minor infractions.
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The measures have amplified unease among Indian IT firms and professionals reliant on H-1B pathways, potentially disrupting talent flows to Silicon Valley giants. Elon Musk recently defended the programme against shutdown calls, highlighting its role in US innovation, but the administration's crackdown signals a broader immigration overhaul prioritising security over ease.
As the policy rolls out, applicants face added compliance burdens, with privacy advocates warning of overreach. For India-US ties, the developments test bilateral commitments on skilled migration, even as Jaishankar stressed collaborative advocacy for fair assessments.
The Trump-era restrictions reflect a hardening stance on nonimmigrant worker entries, with implications for global talent mobility and economic partnerships.
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