Important Updates
Important Updates
July 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Congress Passes Budget Reconciliation Bill with Immigration Impact
July 3, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Ontario Implements Key Reforms to the Immigrant Nominee Program
July 3, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Québec Reopens Skilled Worker Program and Unveils Selection Criteria
July 3, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: Temporary Pause on Issuing Freelance Visas
July 3, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Migration Advisory Committee to Assess Salary Thresholds, Temporary Shortage List Occupations
July 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Congress Passes Budget Reconciliation Bill with Immigration Impact
July 3, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Ontario Implements Key Reforms to the Immigrant Nominee Program
July 3, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Québec Reopens Skilled Worker Program and Unveils Selection Criteria
July 3, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: Temporary Pause on Issuing Freelance Visas
July 3, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Migration Advisory Committee to Assess Salary Thresholds, Temporary Shortage List Occupations
July 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Congress Passes Budget Reconciliation Bill with Immigration Impact
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

DHS Proposes to Collect Social Media Information from Adjustment Applicants and Other Immigration Benefits Applicants

September 4, 2019

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a glance

  • DHS is seeking to request social media information from some applicants for immigration benefits, including Visa Waiver Program travelers, applicants for adjustment of status and naturalization applicants.
  • Requested information will include social media platforms used, usernames and handles, similar to the information currently collected by the Department of State from visa applicants.
  • The public will have 60 days to comment on the proposal.

The issue

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking to collect five years of social media history from applicants for certain immigration benefits, including Visa Waiver Program travelers and, adjustment of status and naturalization applicants, according to a Federal Register notice published today. 

If DHS implements the proposal, it would add social media questions to a range of USCIS and CBP forms and systems. The proposed changes are similar to the State Department’s recent addition of social media questions to the applications for U.S. nonimmigrant and immigrant visas.

DHS officials already use publicly available social media information to determine eligibility for immigrant benefits, but thus far the agency has not requested information directly from applicants. Any social media profiles, postings, or details that appear inconsistent with eligibility for an immigration benefit could result in delayed adjudication or denial of the benefit.

The agency will accept public feedback on the proposal through November 4.

A closer look

DHS is proposing to solicit the following information from foreign nationals applying for certain immigration benefits:

  • Social media platforms used in the last five years; and
  • Usernames for each platform. Passwords would not be requested and should not be provided.


DHS plans to add social media questions to the following forms and systems:

  • ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) and Form I-94W, Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Record for Visa Waiver Program travelers;
  • EVUS (Electronic Visa Update System) for Chinese nationals traveling to the U.S. as business visitors or tourists;
  • Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, used to apply for advance parole and reentry permits, among other benefits;
  • Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status for those applying for a green card through USCIS;
  • Form I-751, Petition to Remove the Conditions on Permanent Residence for certain marriage-based green card beneficiaries;
  • Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status for EB-5 green card beneficiaries; and
  • Form N-400 naturalization applications.


Employment-based petitions such as Form I-129 and Form I-140 are not included in the proposed DHS revision.

Separately, DHS is also proposing to create a minimum standard for collection of identifying information from applicants across these same immigration forms and systems. 

Impact of the proposal and next steps

The proposed changes do not have immediate impact on immigration benefits applicants, but are the latest step in DHS’s continuing efforts to implement President Trump’s 2017 memorandum on “extreme vetting” of applicants for immigration benefits. The proposal will only take effect after the agency receives federal approval of changes to the affected immigration forms and systems and has made them publicly available. 

If your organization would like to submit comments on the proposal, please contact your designated Fragomen team or the firm’s Government Strategies and Compliance Group.

Fragomen is monitoring the proposed changes and will provide updates as developments occur.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Podcast

David Kipp über Migration von Indien nach Deutschland

David Kipp von der Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik im Gespräch mit Marius Tollenaere, Partner im Frankfurter Büro von Fragomen.

Learn more

Blog post

EB-5: What You Should Know—And Why It Might Be Worth It

Partner Dan Schwarz and Senior Associate Mikhail (Mike) Izrailev provide an overview of the EB-5 visa program, highlighting its benefits and key considerations for potential investors.

Learn more

Blog post

The 11th Seat: Timor-Leste's ASEAN Debut and the Shifting Map of Regional Mobility

Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding the Saudi Real Estate Market: What Expats Need to Know

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar provides essential information for expats navigating the Saudi real estate market.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 Middle East and Africa Immigration Trends: Balancing Localization Concerns with Global Talent Attraction Efforts

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping the Middle East and Africa in 2025, drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July.

Learn more

Video

French Citizenship by Decree | Everything You Need to Know

Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia covers everything you need to know about French citizenship by decree, a legal process through which a foreign national can acquire French nationality.

Learn more

Blog post

Navigating the UAE Corporate Landscape: A Strategic Guide for Startups and Entrepreneurs

This blog provides an overview of the key factors to consider when deciding in which jurisdiction to set up a company in the UAE.

Learn more

Media mentions

TechRound: Experts Share: How Will The Global Talent Visa Help The Startup Industry?

Manager Alexander Hood explains how the UK’s Global Talent visa helps tech founders start and grow businesses without employer sponsorship.

Learn more

Blog post

The Future of Care Work in the UK: Understanding the Latest Immigration Announcements

Partner Siobhan Owers and Senior Associate Asif Hanif discuss the latest UK immigration announcements and their impact on the future of care work.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: 25 Years Ago New Immigrants to Canada Told Us Their Dreams. We Checked In to See How They’ve Fared

Senior Business Immigration Analyst Rabaa Biry recently shared her journey to Canada and how support and perseverance helped shape her path forward.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Growing Saudi Film Industry Driving Job Creation, Economic Growth

Partner Abeer Al Husseini highlights how Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry is creating jobs, attracting global talent and supporting economic diversification.

Learn more

Podcast

David Kipp über Migration von Indien nach Deutschland

David Kipp von der Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik im Gespräch mit Marius Tollenaere, Partner im Frankfurter Büro von Fragomen.

Learn more

Blog post

EB-5: What You Should Know—And Why It Might Be Worth It

Partner Dan Schwarz and Senior Associate Mikhail (Mike) Izrailev provide an overview of the EB-5 visa program, highlighting its benefits and key considerations for potential investors.

Learn more

Blog post

The 11th Seat: Timor-Leste's ASEAN Debut and the Shifting Map of Regional Mobility

Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding the Saudi Real Estate Market: What Expats Need to Know

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar provides essential information for expats navigating the Saudi real estate market.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 Middle East and Africa Immigration Trends: Balancing Localization Concerns with Global Talent Attraction Efforts

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping the Middle East and Africa in 2025, drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July.

Learn more

Video

French Citizenship by Decree | Everything You Need to Know

Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia covers everything you need to know about French citizenship by decree, a legal process through which a foreign national can acquire French nationality.

Learn more

Blog post

Navigating the UAE Corporate Landscape: A Strategic Guide for Startups and Entrepreneurs

This blog provides an overview of the key factors to consider when deciding in which jurisdiction to set up a company in the UAE.

Learn more

Media mentions

TechRound: Experts Share: How Will The Global Talent Visa Help The Startup Industry?

Manager Alexander Hood explains how the UK’s Global Talent visa helps tech founders start and grow businesses without employer sponsorship.

Learn more

Blog post

The Future of Care Work in the UK: Understanding the Latest Immigration Announcements

Partner Siobhan Owers and Senior Associate Asif Hanif discuss the latest UK immigration announcements and their impact on the future of care work.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: 25 Years Ago New Immigrants to Canada Told Us Their Dreams. We Checked In to See How They’ve Fared

Senior Business Immigration Analyst Rabaa Biry recently shared her journey to Canada and how support and perseverance helped shape her path forward.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Growing Saudi Film Industry Driving Job Creation, Economic Growth

Partner Abeer Al Husseini highlights how Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry is creating jobs, attracting global talent and supporting economic diversification.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.