US to Expand Social Media Screening for Visa Applicants, Including Foreign Journalists

The US government intends to expand its review of social media accounts belonging to individuals applying for entry visas, including foreign journalists, as part of President Donald Trump’s strict immigration enforcement campaign.

White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt reposted an article from the “Daily Signal” website on the X platform on Thursday. The article states that the Department of State is preparing to extend its social media screening procedures to additional categories of visa applicants.

According to the Daily Signal, it obtained an internal memorandum outlining the plan, which would require visa applicants to set their social media accounts to “public” visibility.

Financial Deposit Requirement for 50 Countries

Washington has imposed a $20,000 financial deposit requirement on visa applicants from 50 countries.

In response to an inquiry from the French news agency AFP regarding the report, a US Department of State spokesperson said: “The Department continuously reviews and assesses vetting and screening procedures worldwide to ensure our visa adjudication process meets the highest standards for US national security and public safety.”

The spokesperson added: “Online presence screening is intended to establish visa applicant eligibility under US law and to confirm that no individual poses a threat to the safety and security of the United States.”

Scope of the New Screening Policy

The United States already requires applicants for various visa categories—including student visas—to make their social media accounts publicly accessible.

The Daily Signal reported that the new measure will now also apply to foreign media representatives, as well as certain citizens of Mexico and Canada.

Since assuming office last year, Trump has taken steps to deport millions of undocumented immigrants and has restricted entry into the United States for nationals of several countries.