"The policy, which the department described as part of the Trump administration's focus on "protecting our nation and our citizens," marks one of the broadest expansions of digital vetting ever applied to foreign workers. Applicants will be instructed to adjust their privacy settings to "public" across all social-media platforms, ensuring officers can access posts, networks, employment information, and other digital activity."
""A US visa is a privilege, not a right," the spokesperson said. "In every visa case, we will take the time necessary to ensure an applicant does not pose a risk to the safety and security of the United States." The spokesperson declined to comment on reports of an internal State Department cable outlining additional vetting criteria, but confirmed that the new policy will apply globally to applicants "of all nationalities.""
Beginning December 15, consular officers worldwide will conduct online presence reviews for all H-1B specialty-occupation applicants and their H-4 dependents. Applicants must set social-media privacy settings to public so officers can access posts, networks, employment information, and other digital activity. The policy expands digital vetting beyond current reviews for foreign students and exchange visitors to one of the most widely used US visa pathways. The directive applies globally to applicants of all nationalities and is framed as part of a national security focus. The administration also issued an executive order in September imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications.
Read at Business Insider
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