The Trump administration has expanded its immigration vetting measures, directing all H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependents to make their social media profiles public. Beginning December 15, the US State Department will review the online presence of all applicants to ensure compliance with national security and public safety standards. Previously, this level of scrutiny applied only to students and exchange visitors on F, M, and J visas.

According to the State Department, the measure is intended to help identify visa applicants who may be inadmissible or pose a threat to the United States. The department emphasized that “every visa adjudication is a national security decision” and that applicants must demonstrate eligibility and intent to comply with visa conditions. The directive reinforces the administration’s stance that a visa is a privilege, not a right.

The new order comes as part of a broader crackdown on the H-1B visa program, widely used by US tech companies to hire foreign professionals. Indian IT workers and physicians make up a significant portion of H-1B holders. Earlier in September, President Trump announced a USD 100,000 one-time fee for new H-1B visas, signaling stricter measures to curb perceived abuse of the program.

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In addition to H-1B visa changes, the administration has paused Green Card, US citizenship, and other immigration applications from nationals of 19 countries of concern. This freeze, effective immediately, is part of a comprehensive review following the shooting of US Army and Air Force personnel by an Afghan national who had entered under the Operation Allies Welcome program. Affected countries include Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, Venezuela, and several others.

The directive also places all asylum applications on hold, regardless of nationality, pending a detailed review. Officials stressed that these measures are intended to protect Americans and ensure that all applicants credibly establish eligibility and lawful intent. The Trump administration has framed these actions as necessary steps to safeguard national security and public safety.

This latest policy underscores the increasing scrutiny faced by foreign workers, students, and visa applicants under the Trump administration. By extending social media checks to H-1B and H-4 visa holders, the US government aims to ensure that online behavior aligns with security protocols, while signaling stricter enforcement across all immigration categories.

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