U.S. to seek social media details, email addresses and phone numbers from all visa applicants | The Japan Times

["Dave Farber" <farber () gmail com>]

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/03/30/world/u-s-seek-social-media-details-email-addresses-phone-numbers-visa-applicants/#.Wr7c9xaRXDs

U.S. to seek social media details, email addresses and phone numbers from all visa applicants
WASHINGTON –
Previously in the U.S., social media, email and phone number histories were only sought from applicants identified for 
extra scrutiny, such as those who have traveled to areas controlled by terrorist organizations. | AFP-JIJI
Previously in the U.S., social media, email and phone number histories were only sought from applicants identified for 
extra scrutiny, such as those who have traveled to areas controlled by terrorist organizations. | AFP-JIJI
The State Department wants to require all U.S. visa applicants to submit their social media usernames, previous email 
addresses and phone numbers, vastly expanding the Trump administration’s enhanced vetting of potential immigrants and 
visitors.

In documents to be published in Friday’s Federal Register, the department said it wants the public to comment on the 
proposed new requirements, which will affect nearly 15 million foreigners who apply for visas to enter the U.S. each 
year. Previously, social media, email and phone number histories were only sought from applicants identified for extra 
scrutiny, such as those who have traveled to areas controlled by terrorist organizations. An estimated 65,000 people 
per year are in that category.

The new rules would apply to virtually all applicants for immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. The department estimates it 
would affect 710,000 immigrant visa applicants and 14 million nonimmigrant visa applicants, including those who want to 
come to the U.S. for business or education, according to the documents.

The documents were posted on the Federal Register’s website on Thursday but the 60-day public comment period won’t 
begin until Friday’s edition is published.

If the requirements are approved by the Office of Management and Budget, 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. It would also give the applicant the option to volunteer information about social media 
accounts on platforms not listed in the application.

In addition to their social media histories, visa applicants will be asked for five years of previously used telephone 
numbers, email addresses, international travel and deportation status, as well as whether any family members have been 
involved in terrorist activities.

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




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