The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to expand social media vetting for more categories of US visa applicants, including foreign journalists, as part of a broader tightening of immigration screening.According to a report by The Daily Signal, which was reposted by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on X, the US State Department is considering new requirements that would require certain visa applicants to make their social media profiles public to facilitate government scrutiny during the visa process.<h2>What is changing?</h2>The report, which cites an internal State Department memo, says applicants covered under the expanded policy would be required to change the privacy settings of their social media accounts to "public" or "open." The expanded vetting is expected to apply to foreign media representatives and some visa applicants from Canada and Mexico.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/born-in-the-usa-trump-targets-birth-tourism-with-new-birthright-citizenship-executive-order-made-a-joke-out-of-it-1786060006452">Born in the USA? Trump targets 'birth tourism' with new birthright citizenship executive order</a>Notably, the United States already requires applicants for several visa categories, including student visas, to make their social media accounts publicly accessible as part of the screening process.<h2>State Department responds</h2>Without confirming the reported changes, the State Department said it regularly reviews its visa screening procedures to safeguard US national security. "The department is constantly reviewing and evaluating screening and vetting procedures worldwide to ensure that our visa process upholds the highest standards for US national security and public safety," a State Department spokesperson told AFP.The spokesperson added that online screening helps determine whether applicants qualify for visas under US law and whether they pose any security risks. "Online presence vetting is about applicants demonstrating their eligibility to receive a visa under US law and ensuring that no individual poses a risk to the safety and security of the United States," the spokesperson said.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/planning-to-study-or-work-in-the-us-one-missing-document-could-now-cost-indians-their-us-visa-or-green-card-1785996613542">Planning to study or work in the US? One missing document could now cost Indians their US visa or green card</a><h2>Part of Trump's tougher immigration policy</h2>The reported move comes as President Donald Trump continues to tighten immigration rules after returning to office. The administration has pursued stricter border controls, stepped up deportations of undocumented migrants and imposed new restrictions on legal immigration.Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly defended the tougher approach, saying, "A visa is a privilege, not a right."<h2>New limits on students and journalists</h2>The reported expansion of social media checks follows another recent immigration policy change affecting temporary visa holders.Last month, the Trump administration finalised rules imposing stricter limits on how long foreign students and journalists can remain in the United States.Under the new framework, international students will generally be admitted for the duration of their academic programme, up to a maximum of four years. Foreign journalists, meanwhile, will be limited to stays of 240 days, or roughly eight months, although they will be able to apply for extensions of a similar duration.

The Trump admin is reportedly considering expanding social media vetting to more US visa applicants, including foreign journalists. Under the proposal, affected applicants may have to make their social media accounts public to allow government scrutiny as part of the visa screening process.

The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to expand social media vetting for more categories of US visa applicants, including foreign journalists, as part of a broader tightening of immigration screening. According to a report by The Daily Signal, which was reposted by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on X, the US State Department is considering new requirements that would require certain visa applicants to make their social media profiles public to facilitate government scrutiny during the visa process. What is changing? The report, which cites an internal State Department memo, says applicants covered under the expanded policy would be required to change the privacy settings of their social media accounts to "public" or "open." The expanded vetting is expected to apply to foreign media representatives and some visa applicants from Canada and Mexico. Also read | Born in the USA? Trump targets 'birth tourism' with new birthright citizenship executive order Notably, the United States already requires applicants for several visa categories, including student visas, to make their social media accounts publicly accessible as part of the screening process. State Department responds Without confirming the reported changes, the State Department said it regularly reviews its visa screening procedures to safeguard US national security. "The department is constantly reviewing and evaluating screening and vetting procedures worldwide to ensure that our visa process upholds the highest standards for US national security and public safety," a State Department spokesperson told AFP. The spokesperson added that online screening helps determine whether applicants qualify for visas under US law and whether they pose any security risks. "Online presence vetting is about applicants demonstrating their eligibility to receive a visa under US law and ensuring that no individual poses a risk to the safety and security of the United States," the spokesperson said. Also read | Planning to study or work in the US? One missing document could now cost Indians their US visa or green card Part of Trump's tougher immigration policy The reported move comes as President Donald Trump continues to tighten immigration rules after returning to office. The administration has pursued stricter border controls, stepped up deportations of undocumented migrants and imposed new restrictions on legal immigration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly defended the tougher approach, saying, "A visa is a privilege, not a right." New limits on students and journalists The reported expansion of social media checks follows another recent immigration policy change affecting temporary visa holders. Last month, the Trump administration finalised rules imposing stricter limits on how long foreign students and journalists can remain in the United States. Under the new framework, international students will generally be admitted for the duration of their academic programme, up to a maximum of four years. Foreign journalists, meanwhile, will be limited to stays of 240 days, or roughly eight months, although they will be able to apply for extensions of a similar duration.

The Trump admin is reportedly considering expanding social media vetting to more US visa applicants, including foreign journalists. Under the proposal, affected applicants may have to make their social media accounts public to allow government scrutiny as part of the visa screening process.

US may force more visa applicants to make social media accounts public under Trump's new plan

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Aug 6) signed a fresh executive order aimed at restricting birthright citizenship, targeting what his administration describes as "birth tourism" and other categories of foreign nationals whose children could automatically acquire US citizenship.The move marks Trump's latest attempt to narrow the scope of the constitutional right, weeks after the US Supreme Court blocked an earlier effort to end automatic citizenship for children born to undocumented migrants and temporary visa holders.<h2>What is Trump's new order?</h2>Speaking at the White House on Thursday, Trump accused people of exploiting birthright citizenship by entering the United States on tourist visas solely to give birth. "They've taken birthright citizenship, and they've made a joke out of it," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "We're making adjustments because it's very unfair," he added.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/planning-to-study-or-work-in-the-us-one-missing-document-could-now-cost-indians-their-us-visa-or-green-card-1785996613542">Planning to study or work in the US? One missing document could now cost Indians their US visa or green card</a>According to White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, the executive order is intended to prevent citizenship benefits from being extended to children born to individuals who travel to the US primarily to give birth.Miller also said the order would cover children of members of "foreign terrorist organizations" and "large categories of people who lobby and act on behalf of foreign governments."He said the measure "ensures that large numbers of people who wrongly (would) be getting birthright citizenship will no longer be eligible for those benefits."<h2>Why is birthright citizenship controversial?</h2>Birthright citizenship is guaranteed under the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which states that "all persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."There are already limited exceptions. Children born to foreign diplomats, for example, do not automatically receive US citizenship because their parents are not considered subject to US jurisdiction.US immigration law also already allows consular officers to deny visas if they believe an applicant's primary purpose for travelling is to give birth in the country.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-trump-s-helicopter-nearly-collide-with-a-passenger-jet-us-launches-probe-1785981732847">Did Trump's helicopter nearly collide with a passenger jet? US launches probe</a><h2>Supreme Court blocked Trump's earlier attempt</h2>Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order seeking to deny automatic citizenship to children born to parents who were in the US illegally or on temporary visas.Lower courts halted the policy, and in late June the US Supreme Court ruled against the administration, reaffirming constitutional protections for birthright citizenship. Trump called that decision "very unfortunate."His administration had argued that the 14th Amendment, adopted after the Civil War, was intended to guarantee citizenship for formerly enslaved people rather than the children of undocumented immigrants or temporary visitors.

US President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order aimed at restricting birthright citizenship by targeting so called “birth tourism”. The move comes weeks after the Supreme Court blocked his earlier attempt to limit automatic US citizenship for children born on American soil.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Aug 6) signed a fresh executive order aimed at restricting birthright citizenship, targeting what his administration describes as "birth tourism" and other categories of foreign nationals whose children could automatically acquire US citizenship. The move marks Trump's latest attempt to narrow the scope of the constitutional right, weeks after the US Supreme Court blocked an earlier effort to end automatic citizenship for children born to undocumented migrants and temporary visa holders. What is Trump's new order? Speaking at the White House on Thursday, Trump accused people of exploiting birthright citizenship by entering the United States on tourist visas solely to give birth. "They've taken birthright citizenship, and they've made a joke out of it," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "We're making adjustments because it's very unfair," he added. Also read | Planning to study or work in the US? One missing document could now cost Indians their US visa or green card According to White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, the executive order is intended to prevent citizenship benefits from being extended to children born to individuals who travel to the US primarily to give birth. Miller also said the order would cover children of members of "foreign terrorist organizations" and "large categories of people who lobby and act on behalf of foreign governments." He said the measure "ensures that large numbers of people who wrongly (would) be getting birthright citizenship will no longer be eligible for those benefits." Why is birthright citizenship controversial? Birthright citizenship is guaranteed under the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which states that "all persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." There are already limited exceptions. Children born to foreign diplomats, for example, do not automatically receive US citizenship because their parents are not considered subject to US jurisdiction. US immigration law also already allows consular officers to deny visas if they believe an applicant's primary purpose for travelling is to give birth in the country. Also read | Did Trump's helicopter nearly collide with a passenger jet? US launches probe Supreme Court blocked Trump's earlier attempt Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order seeking to deny automatic citizenship to children born to parents who were in the US illegally or on temporary visas. Lower courts halted the policy, and in late June the US Supreme Court ruled against the administration, reaffirming constitutional protections for birthright citizenship. Trump called that decision "very unfortunate." His administration had argued that the 14th Amendment, adopted after the Civil War, was intended to guarantee citizenship for formerly enslaved people rather than the children of undocumented immigrants or temporary visitors.

US President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order aimed at restricting birthright citizenship by targeting so called “birth tourism”. The move comes weeks after the Supreme Court blocked his earlier attempt to limit automatic US citizenship for children born on American soil.

Born in the USA? Trump targets 'birth tourism' with new birthright citizenship executive order

The United States has introduced stricter rules for processing immigration benefits, giving officials the authority to reject incomplete applications for visas, green cards and other immigration benefits without first asking applicants to submit missing documents. The move could affect thousands of Indian applicants seeking to study, work or settle in the US.The new guidance, issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), took effect immediately and applies to applications pending or filed on or after August 5, 2026.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-charge-foreign-students-100000-for-a-shot-at-a-us-job-heres-why-indian-students-should-be-worried-1785459801701">Trump to charge foreign students $100,000 for a shot at a US job? Here's why Indian students should be worried</a><h2>What has changed?</h2>Under the revised policy, USCIS officers can deny an application outright if the applicant fails to establish eligibility or does not include all the required supporting documents at the time of filing.Previously, under a policy introduced during the Biden administration, immigration officers were generally encouraged to issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) before rejecting an application, giving applicants an opportunity to correct deficiencies. However, that is no longer guaranteed.According to USCIS, application forms and official instructions already specify the documents needed for each immigration benefit. Applicants are therefore expected to submit complete applications from the outset.<h2>Why has USCIS changed the policy?</h2>USCIS said the updated guidance aligns with the Department of Homeland Security's long-standing regulatory authority and is intended to strengthen the integrity of the immigration system.The agency argued that the previous approach allowed incomplete or substantially deficient applications to slow down the processing of other cases.It also claimed some applicants used "placeholder" filings to obtain related benefits, such as employment authorisation, while waiting for a decision on applications that lacked the required evidence.By restoring officers' discretion to deny such applications without first issuing an RFE or NOID, USCIS said it expects to improve efficiency, speed up decision-making and discourage frivolous filings.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-avoids-higher-us-tariff-secures-lower-10-rate-here-s-how-1784854529326">India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how</a><h2>What does this mean for applicants?</h2>The policy raises the stakes for applicants, who will now need to ensure their applications are complete and supported by all required documentation before submission.An application that is missing key evidence may now be rejected outright, without the applicant being allowed to provide additional documents later. For prospective students, skilled workers, families applying for green cards and other immigration applicants, careful preparation and complete documentation will become even more important under the revised rules.

The US has tightened immigration processing rules, allowing officials to reject incomplete visa, green card and other benefit applications without first requesting missing documents. The new policy, effective August 5, raises the stakes for applicants, including thousands of Indians.

The United States has introduced stricter rules for processing immigration benefits, giving officials the authority to reject incomplete applications for visas, green cards and other immigration benefits without first asking applicants to submit missing documents. The move could affect thousands of Indian applicants seeking to study, work or settle in the US. The new guidance, issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), took effect immediately and applies to applications pending or filed on or after August 5, 2026. Also read | Trump to charge foreign students $100,000 for a shot at a US job? Here's why Indian students should be worried What has changed? Under the revised policy, USCIS officers can deny an application outright if the applicant fails to establish eligibility or does not include all the required supporting documents at the time of filing. Previously, under a policy introduced during the Biden administration, immigration officers were generally encouraged to issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) before rejecting an application, giving applicants an opportunity to correct deficiencies. However, that is no longer guaranteed. According to USCIS, application forms and official instructions already specify the documents needed for each immigration benefit. Applicants are therefore expected to submit complete applications from the outset. Why has USCIS changed the policy? USCIS said the updated guidance aligns with the Department of Homeland Security's long-standing regulatory authority and is intended to strengthen the integrity of the immigration system. The agency argued that the previous approach allowed incomplete or substantially deficient applications to slow down the processing of other cases. It also claimed some applicants used "placeholder" filings to obtain related benefits, such as employment authorisation, while waiting for a decision on applications that lacked the required evidence. By restoring officers' discretion to deny such applications without first issuing an RFE or NOID, USCIS said it expects to improve efficiency, speed up decision-making and discourage frivolous filings. Also read | India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how What does this mean for applicants? The policy raises the stakes for applicants, who will now need to ensure their applications are complete and supported by all required documentation before submission. An application that is missing key evidence may now be rejected outright, without the applicant being allowed to provide additional documents later. For prospective students, skilled workers, families applying for green cards and other immigration applicants, careful preparation and complete documentation will become even more important under the revised rules.

The US has tightened immigration processing rules, allowing officials to reject incomplete visa, green card and other benefit applications without first requesting missing documents. The new policy, effective August 5, raises the stakes for applicants, including thousands of Indians.

Planning to study or work in the US? One missing document could now cost Indians their US visa or green card

The Trump administration has announced a major overhaul of US legal immigration rules by ending the long-standing policy that allowed international students, exchange visitors and foreign journalists to remain in the country for the duration of their approved programs. Under the new regulations, international students and exchange visitors will receive visas valid for a maximum of four years, while foreign journalists will be limited to 240 days and Chinese journalists to just 90 days. Those wishing to stay longer must apply for extensions or leave the United States and seek new admission. The Department of Homeland Security says the changes are intended to strengthen oversight and prevent long-term visa misuse, while critics argue the policy could discourage global talent, affect American universities and complicate international media operations. The rule is expected to take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, pending congressional review.

Trump administration introduces fixed stay limits for foreign students and journalists

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US may force more visa applicants to make social media accounts public under Trump's new plan

Trump targets 'birth tourism' with new birthright citizenship executive order

Applying for a US visa or green card? New rule could hit thousands of Indians

Trump administration introduces fixed stay limits for foreign students and journalists