The U.S. government, under the Trump administration, is considering expanding its social media monitoring to include individuals who already reside legally in the country, such as green card holders, asylum applicants, and citizenship seekers. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a notice inviting public comments on a proposal to collect social media usernames from applicants for various immigration benefits. This measure aligns with a Trump-era executive order aimed at strengthening national security screening.
While social media monitoring in immigration processes has existed since at least the Obama administration, this proposed expansion has raised concerns among civil rights advocates. Critics argue that it could infringe on free speech, discourage online activity, and be used for political purposes. However, the government maintains that the initiative will help prevent fraud, identity theft, and potential security threats.
The proposal is open for public comment until May 5 and, if implemented, could affect approximately 3.6 million people each year.
